New Brass Prep

Surculus Solitudo · October 31, 2009, 07:12 PM

I will be using some new Winchester .243 brass to reload with. The Lyman manual says I do not need to size new factory brass. When I was inspecting the brass, I noticed some of the necks were not completely round so I am wondering how good the quality control is on the rest of casing. I am thinking of running the brass through the sizing process even though they are new.
What do you think is proper case prep for new brass? Thanks!

**Unclenick** · October 31, 2009, 07:29 PM

The reason they say you don't have to size new brass is that you got them the way the factory ammo loading machines get them, except the extra transportation will have added to the dents. They are already sized as small as they'll ever be. Dents and squashing of the necks occur because that portion of the brass is annealed, so it is softer than the brass below the shoulder, which has to be harder to contain pressure. It is therefore easy to indent the neck. In theory, this won't have much effect on neck tension when the bullet actually gets in, but it does increase the risk that it won't get in without damaging the case.

Lots of folks resize before loading to iron all that out, but it narrows and re-expands the neck so it can shorten case life by one load cycle. You can straighten the dented case with round nose pliers, and get it close enough so the bullet does the rest. If it is tapered enough, you can run it over the expander in your sizing die without running it all the way into the die. The deluxe method is to get a Sinclair die body for neck turning mandrels, and the right mandrel. These have a longer taper than an expander, so they easily straighten any dents.

flashhole · October 31, 2009, 07:31 PM

I'm somewhat a fanatic about processing brass. I process new brass just like fired brass, FL size, trim, deburr, flash hole uniform, primer pocket uniform. That way I know it's right. It's common to see dented necks in new brass. Those you have to process to get it to seat the bullet.

PBKing · October 31, 2009, 07:38 PM

Quote:

I'm somewhat a fanatic about processing brass. I process new brass just like fired brass, FL size, trim, deburr, flash hole uniform, primer pocket uniform. That way I know it's right.

Right On

plainsman456 · October 31, 2009, 09:01 PM

What flashhole said.Good Luck

jepp2 · October 31, 2009, 09:11 PM

I realize that I am in a minority, but with new rifle brass, I just run the expander through the neck, deburr the flash hole, and lightly chamfer the inside of the necks before the first loading. It has always worked for me.

kiwi56 · October 31, 2009, 09:43 PM

As long as the neck is not damaged I just fire them, most of the time I'm fireforming for Ackley chambers anyway so the cases are very loose. I usually fireform while hunting and don't fireform during competition so its no real problem. Once the cases have been fireformed I only neck size after that.

October 31, 2009, 07:12 PM	#1
Surculus Solitudo Member Join Date: September 5, 2009 Location: Fort Mohave, AZ Posts: 16	New Brass Prep I will be using some new Winchester .243 brass to reload with. The Lyman manual says I do not need to size new factory brass. When I was inspecting the brass, I noticed some of the necks were not completely round so I am wondering how good the quality control is on the rest of casing. I am thinking of running the brass through the sizing process even though they are new. What do you think is proper case prep for new brass? Thanks!

October 31, 2009, 07:29 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	The reason they say you don't have to size new brass is that you got them the way the factory ammo loading machines get them, except the extra transportation will have added to the dents. They are already sized as small as they'll ever be. Dents and squashing of the necks occur because that portion of the brass is annealed, so it is softer than the brass below the shoulder, which has to be harder to contain pressure. It is therefore easy to indent the neck. In theory, this won't have much effect on neck tension when the bullet actually gets in, but it does increase the risk that it won't get in without damaging the case. Lots of folks resize before loading to iron all that out, but it narrows and re-expands the neck so it can shorten case life by one load cycle. You can straighten the dented case with round nose pliers, and get it close enough so the bullet does the rest. If it is tapered enough, you can run it over the expander in your sizing die without running it all the way into the die. The deluxe method is to get a Sinclair die body for neck turning mandrels, and the right mandrel. These have a longer taper than an expander, so they easily straighten any dents. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

October 31, 2009, 07:31 PM	#3
flashhole Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2005 Location: Owego, NY Posts: 2,000	I'm somewhat a fanatic about processing brass. I process new brass just like fired brass, FL size, trim, deburr, flash hole uniform, primer pocket uniform. That way I know it's right. It's common to see dented necks in new brass. Those you have to process to get it to seat the bullet. __________________ ,,, stupidity comes to some people very easily. 8/22/2017 my wife in a discussion about Liberals. Are you ready for civil war?

October 31, 2009, 09:43 PM	#7
kiwi56 Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2009 Location: Auckland NewZealand Posts: 350	New Brass prep As long as the neck is not damaged I just fire them, most of the time I'm fireforming for Ackley chambers anyway so the cases are very loose. I usually fireform while hunting and don't fireform during competition so its no real problem. Once the cases have been fireformed I only neck size after that.

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October 31, 2009, 09:01 PM	#5
plainsman456 Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2008 Posts: 260	What flashhole said.Good Luck

October 31, 2009, 09:11 PM	#6
jepp2 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2008 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,476	I realize that I am in a minority, but with new rifle brass, I just run the expander through the neck, deburr the flash hole, and lightly chamfer the inside of the necks before the first loading. It has always worked for me.