Fire forming new brass

pdhunter · January 20, 2005, 04:46 PM

OK Guys here we go.
I have a batch of new winchester 22-250 brass. I've got it preped and ready to load. I have found that new brass won't shoot well untill it has been fired
and neck sized which brings me to my question.
I read some where at one time that rather then use a lot lead to fire form the cases use bullseye and cotten to do the job.
Can any one shed some light on this? Or did I have cabin fever and just see things?
Thanks for the help.

steveno · January 20, 2005, 09:10 PM

use your standard load to begin with and don't worry about the "light charges and cotton" stuff. they aren't very much fun to shoot anyway. the only reason I neck size my 22-250 ammo is so I don't have to lube and wipe every case. otherwise I can't tell the difference in group size between full or neck sized brass.

Archie · January 20, 2005, 09:16 PM

When you fire-form, make sure the case is held against the bolt face. If you leave any slop between case head and bolt face, you'll have some amount of incipent head separation (bad juju).

My normal SOP is to seat bullets out against the lands, with a starting load. The case stays where it's supposed to be and one gets a feeling for the rifle and trigger. Despite some opinions to the contrary, I've never had a problem with starting loads against the leade.

pdhunter · January 20, 2005, 09:43 PM

Thank you for the in put.

January 20, 2005, 04:46 PM	#1
pdhunter Junior Member Join Date: January 1, 2005 Posts: 6	Fire forming new brass OK Guys here we go. I have a batch of new winchester 22-250 brass. I've got it preped and ready to load. I have found that new brass won't shoot well untill it has been fired and neck sized which brings me to my question. I read some where at one time that rather then use a lot lead to fire form the cases use bullseye and cotten to do the job. Can any one shed some light on this? Or did I have cabin fever and just see things? Thanks for the help.

January 20, 2005, 09:16 PM	#3
Archie Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2000 Location: Hastings, Nebrasksa - the Hear Posts: 2,209	Be sure..... When you fire-form, make sure the case is held against the bolt face. If you leave any slop between case head and bolt face, you'll have some amount of incipent head separation (bad juju). My normal SOP is to seat bullets out against the lands, with a starting load. The case stays where it's supposed to be and one gets a feeling for the rifle and trigger. Despite some opinions to the contrary, I've never had a problem with starting loads against the leade. __________________ There ain't no free lunch, except Jesus. Archie Check out updated journal at http://oldmanmontgomery.wordpress.com/

January 20, 2005, 09:43 PM	#4
pdhunter Junior Member Join Date: January 1, 2005 Posts: 6	Thanks for the input Thank you for the in put.

January 20, 2005, 09:10 PM	#2
steveno Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Minden , Nebraska Posts: 1,407	use your standard load to begin with and don't worry about the "light charges and cotton" stuff. they aren't very much fun to shoot anyway. the only reason I neck size my 22-250 ammo is so I don't have to lube and wipe every case. otherwise I can't tell the difference in group size between full or neck sized brass.