What do you guys do when...

1stmar · February 15, 2014, 12:44 PM

I'm using a redding body in conjunction w a lee collet die to resize the neck. I have the body die adjusted to bump the shoulder. I've bought some new brass and the shoulders are .008 .010 further back then my body die sets them too. So the only thing to do is fire them and let the cases form to the chamber. Just seems like a waste of components when shooting/reloading for accuracy.
So here's the questions..
Do you guys use the same components or use less expensive components ie pulled bullets, lower powder charge etc
Or will the accuracy difference be negligible and just deal with it.

Snyper · February 15, 2014, 01:09 PM

If you want brass fitted to your chamber, you have no options other than to fire one loading that doesn't "fit".

That doesn't necessarily mean the loads wont' be "accurate" because accuracy comes from consistancy

I've shot some fire forming loads in wildcat Contenders that weren't even CLOSE to fitting the chamber, and yet were very accurate

603Country · February 15, 2014, 01:46 PM

Yup, I'm with Snyper. I had some new cases (Nosler) that I shot in the rather loose chamber of a rifle I used to have, and they shot great. Unfortunately, they shot better than the fireformed reloads. After much retrying and reloading, I gave up and I sold that rifle rather than spend money on a gunsmith.

Jimro · February 15, 2014, 01:55 PM

Forming loads are generally every bit as accurate as anything else if you use match grade components. Just keep track of loaded lots, and use all of one lot on one stage of competition.

For something like an AI fireforming, most competitors use the forming load for the "short line" firing, which is different depending on what sport you are using.

Jimro

nemesiss45 · February 15, 2014, 02:05 PM

I have not been reloading long, but I was of the same mindset as you when I started. I had read all this stuff about the perfect match load and that's what I wanted. I have gone through maybe 100 or so .308 once fired cases just to get fire formed stock built up. I have been meticulous as I can about charge weight and case prep and I was surprised just how accurate my ammo is. I cant tell you how much more accurate fire formed brass will be for you, but see how accutate you make the stock brass. If you are spending the time and money to make it, you might as well make it good. You could, however, buy a bunch of cheap bullets and try to make them as accurate as possible.

1stmar · February 15, 2014, 02:44 PM

I'm trying a different brand of brass, unless it shoots better, I'm thinking I'll be wondering if it's the brass or the headspace.

nemesiss45 · February 15, 2014, 04:30 PM

have you shot any of the brass yet? or is the first time you're loading it?

1stmar · February 15, 2014, 05:40 PM

First time I'm loading it

FiveInADime · February 15, 2014, 06:19 PM

I used to think that cases "fitting" perfectly in the chamber was necessary for accuracy in hand loads. What I found out is that I usually get really good consistent groups with brand new brass prepped, uniformed, and sorted by weight.

Metal god · February 15, 2014, 06:59 PM

When that happens for me , Yes I load less expensive components or components I've tried and did not like and still have some left . I also often save those lesser quality rounds for foiling shots or for friends to shoot .

FWIW these less quality rounds still shoot good just not 1/3 and 1/2 moa like some of the good ones I've worked up . They are still better then a lot of so called cheap factory loads . Cheaper too

1stmar · February 15, 2014, 07:21 PM

That's about where I am, virtually everything I have shot since it's been bedded has been 1/2 moa. Trying to eek out another .2 or as close to that as I can get. I'm sure these will shoot 3/4 or better but just may not give me all I can get out of it. I'm so close, usually get 4 into .3 or better, just seems to always be 1 that strays out to .5. Haven't really experimented much, this is one of the first steps along with changing the charge in my control group and seating depth.

February 15, 2014, 12:44 PM	#1
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	What do you guys do when... I'm using a redding body in conjunction w a lee collet die to resize the neck. I have the body die adjusted to bump the shoulder. I've bought some new brass and the shoulders are .008 .010 further back then my body die sets them too. So the only thing to do is fire them and let the cases form to the chamber. Just seems like a waste of components when shooting/reloading for accuracy. So here's the questions.. Do you guys use the same components or use less expensive components ie pulled bullets, lower powder charge etc Or will the accuracy difference be negligible and just deal with it.

February 15, 2014, 01:09 PM	#2
Snyper Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2013 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 3,047	If you want brass fitted to your chamber, you have no options other than to fire one loading that doesn't "fit". That doesn't necessarily mean the loads wont' be "accurate" because accuracy comes from consistancy I've shot some fire forming loads in wildcat Contenders that weren't even CLOSE to fitting the chamber, and yet were very accurate __________________ One shot, one kill

February 15, 2014, 01:55 PM	#4
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	Forming loads are generally every bit as accurate as anything else if you use match grade components. Just keep track of loaded lots, and use all of one lot on one stage of competition. For something like an AI fireforming, most competitors use the forming load for the "short line" firing, which is different depending on what sport you are using. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

February 15, 2014, 06:59 PM	#10
Metal god Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2012 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 6,876	When that happens for me , Yes I load less expensive components or components I've tried and did not like and still have some left . I also often save those lesser quality rounds for foiling shots or for friends to shoot . FWIW these less quality rounds still shoot good just not 1/3 and 1/2 moa like some of the good ones I've worked up . They are still better then a lot of so called cheap factory loads . Cheaper too __________________ If Jesus had a gun , he'd probably still be alive ! I almost always write my posts regardless of content in a jovial manor and intent . If that's not how you took it , please try again .

February 15, 2014, 01:46 PM	#3
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	Yup, I'm with Snyper. I had some new cases (Nosler) that I shot in the rather loose chamber of a rifle I used to have, and they shot great. Unfortunately, they shot better than the fireformed reloads. After much retrying and reloading, I gave up and I sold that rifle rather than spend money on a gunsmith.

February 15, 2014, 02:05 PM	#5
nemesiss45 Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2014 Posts: 526	I have not been reloading long, but I was of the same mindset as you when I started. I had read all this stuff about the perfect match load and that's what I wanted. I have gone through maybe 100 or so .308 once fired cases just to get fire formed stock built up. I have been meticulous as I can about charge weight and case prep and I was surprised just how accurate my ammo is. I cant tell you how much more accurate fire formed brass will be for you, but see how accutate you make the stock brass. If you are spending the time and money to make it, you might as well make it good. You could, however, buy a bunch of cheap bullets and try to make them as accurate as possible.

February 15, 2014, 02:44 PM	#6
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	I'm trying a different brand of brass, unless it shoots better, I'm thinking I'll be wondering if it's the brass or the headspace.

February 15, 2014, 04:30 PM	#7
nemesiss45 Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2014 Posts: 526	have you shot any of the brass yet? or is the first time you're loading it?

February 15, 2014, 05:40 PM	#8
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	First time I'm loading it

February 15, 2014, 06:19 PM	#9
FiveInADime Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2012 Posts: 607	I used to think that cases "fitting" perfectly in the chamber was necessary for accuracy in hand loads. What I found out is that I usually get really good consistent groups with brand new brass prepped, uniformed, and sorted by weight.

February 15, 2014, 07:21 PM	#11
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	That's about where I am, virtually everything I have shot since it's been bedded has been 1/2 moa. Trying to eek out another .2 or as close to that as I can get. I'm sure these will shoot 3/4 or better but just may not give me all I can get out of it. I'm so close, usually get 4 into .3 or better, just seems to always be 1 that strays out to .5. Haven't really experimented much, this is one of the first steps along with changing the charge in my control group and seating depth.