Case weight variance

kd7sgm · October 9, 2011, 08:55 AM

Let me begin with I am new to reloading. I have several hundred 300 wm cases I will be reloading, I have cleaned, deprimed, deburred and sized all of them as well as sorted them by headstamp. What is an acceptable weight variance by lot. the Federal cases I have vary in weight from 244.4 gr to 248.1 gr is this acceptable or what is acceptable? I have a sierra and Hornady loading manual and neither mentions anything about acceptable weight variance. Any help would be appreciated.

GP100man · October 9, 2011, 09:12 AM

This is what I do, YMMV

I take the litest & fill it with powder ,then see if the heaviest will hold all of it
to see if the VOLUME is different, if it is adjust load accordingly . Less VOLUME needs Less powder to achieve the same pressures.

This affects the larger capacity rounds more than the smaller because the %s are more

No , I don`t mix headstmps on rifle brass ,but have found differences in the same headstamped brass , every lot will be different in some minut way.

I no longer have my 7mag

but I`m older & lets face it if shooting hurts it`s no fun !!!!!

Be Safe !!!!

243winxb · October 9, 2011, 09:39 AM

Quote:

vary in weight from 244.4 gr to 248.1 gr is this acceptable or what is acceptable?

For hunting ammo a spread of 3.6 gr is OK. Factory lots of 100 brass in 243win have a spread of 4.4gr Win. & Rem at 5.6gr. Some 223 rem Black Hills match brass has a spread of 2.6 gr. For benchrest accuracy i sort by .1gr The very heavy & very light brass , when mixed and fired will produce larger groups.

TXGunNut · October 9, 2011, 10:57 AM

I generally buy new RP brass for my .30-06's and have no trouble keeping the weight variance under 2 grains. I doubt it makes much difference but when I'm developing loads I try to eliminate as many variables as possible.

jepp2 · October 9, 2011, 07:46 PM

This recent thread casing weight tolerance = Post 2 had the best description IMHO

October 9, 2011, 08:55 AM	#1
kd7sgm Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2010 Location: Rupert, Idaho Posts: 223	Case weight variance Let me begin with I am new to reloading. I have several hundred 300 wm cases I will be reloading, I have cleaned, deprimed, deburred and sized all of them as well as sorted them by headstamp. What is an acceptable weight variance by lot. the Federal cases I have vary in weight from 244.4 gr to 248.1 gr is this acceptable or what is acceptable? I have a sierra and Hornady loading manual and neither mentions anything about acceptable weight variance. Any help would be appreciated. __________________ I would like either less corruption or more opportunity to participate in it.

October 9, 2011, 09:12 AM	#2
GP100man Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2007 Location: Tabor City , NC. Posts: 1,969	This is what I do, YMMV I take the litest & fill it with powder ,then see if the heaviest will hold all of it to see if the VOLUME is different, if it is adjust load accordingly . Less VOLUME needs Less powder to achieve the same pressures. This affects the larger capacity rounds more than the smaller because the %s are more No , I don`t mix headstmps on rifle brass ,but have found differences in the same headstamped brass , every lot will be different in some minut way. I no longer have my 7mag but I`m older & lets face it if shooting hurts it`s no fun !!!!! Be Safe !!!! __________________ GP100man

October 9, 2011, 10:57 AM	#4
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	I generally buy new RP brass for my .30-06's and have no trouble keeping the weight variance under 2 grains. I doubt it makes much difference but when I'm developing loads I try to eliminate as many variables as possible. __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

October 9, 2011, 07:46 PM	#5
jepp2 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2008 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,476	This recent thread casing weight tolerance = Post 2 had the best description IMHO