Questions

[Maplicito]

I bought some new brass - or at least I thought it was new, because it was priced like new.  Does nickel plated brass draw a premium that would have once fired brass priced like regular new brass?  Anyhow, I got it home, opened up the pack to see that there were traces in the primer pockets and that the necks were a little roughed up.

I tried running it through my resizing die - it seemed to straighten the necks out, but the stuff slipped in and out of my die easier that my own brass that I've resized would.  I tried loading some 300 grain Sierra Matchking bullets, and the necks were tight enough they shaved small flakes of copper off the bullets.  That obviously will change how the bullets will fly - I'm just plinking with the ones I've just reloaded, so while I'm not happy about that, I'll live with it.  What I'm more concerned about - does this leave the necks TOO tight, and possibly pose a safety concern?  If so, is there a way for me to rectify the safety concern?

Last question - according to the handbook I was using, the starting point for my IMR4831 powdr is 60.3 grains, and the max load is 68.5 grains.  I did 4 different loads, 60.3 grains, 63 grains, 65.8 grains, and 68.5 grains, with the idea that if one load shoots fine, and I don't see warning signs on the brass, I'll try the next level.  Are those small enough increments with a new rifle?

Sorry to ask so many wordy questions, but I'm definitely new at this, and relying on the wisdom and experience of others.

[steve4102]

    Dented and bent up necks on new brass is very common.  It is also very common for new brass to slide through the FL die with ease.  After all, it is factory sized to fit any chamber.   Are you sizing with the expander button in place?  If so then the neck dia. should be OK.  If not then you may be sizing the neck to much.   Did you chamfer the inside of the case necks before you seated bullets?  New brass should be FL sized and have the necks chamfered and de-burred.

[Maplicito]

Well, I feel dumb now.  I thought that chamfering only needed done when you trimmed brass.  Well, at least I'm learning I guess.  Haha, better to feel embarassed than feel like I got ripped off with old brass I guess!  I could have sworn one of the primer pockets looked like it'd had a primer go off in it, but looking at the left over brass, I'm seeing nothing of the sort.

So, I guess only one question remains - the loads I listed in my first post - does that sound like a gradual enough increase in load strength?  54000 CUP on the high load, my manual doesn't tell me how much on the other loads.

[corbanzo]

And with lead, even if you chamfer, you will still shave lead, so you need to bell. 

And you need to chamfer every time, even if you have chamfered the brass before, cause the shooting and forming process will mess it up a bit, and you won't have the smooth seating you want. 

A max load of 68.5?  Two grains can be a LOT of difference.  If the max is say 71.5 grains, then you are probably safe with the increments you have gone up in, but then put a diminishing curve on it.  When the max is 68.5, you don't want to jump there from 66.  You can try something like 60 - 63 - 65.5 - 67 - 68 - 68.5.  So at the top of the spectrum, your increments of increase are smaller, and you don't even have to reach the max load.  Many times, the more toward the max you reach, the less accurate your load will become.  And honestly, if you started out with 64 grains as your first load, with a rifle in good condition... you wouldn't be hurting much. 

If you already loaded those up, then I would recommend putting another level, say at 67.5grains, just to make sure, so you are aren't jumping 2.5grns to max.

[steve4102]

  I could have sworn one of the primer pockets looked like it'd had a primer go off in it,

So, I guess only one question remains - the loads I listed in my first post - does that sound like a gradual enough increase in load strength?  54000 CUP on the high load, my manual doesn't tell me how much on the other loads.

   It's possible that one of your cases had a bit of corrosion in the primer pocket.  I always uniform the primer pockets on new brass with a Sinclair tool.  Some may feel this is a waist of time, others swear by it.  Me, I just do it cuz it makes me feel better about my loads.

  Two to three grain increases is a bit much.  Do as corbanzo  suggested  and you should be fine.

[davem270win]

Your load development should also be based on the firearm you're using. If it's a brand new, modern arm with no question about strength or condition, you can probably move to max loads a little quicker. If it's grandpa's old deerslayer, you probably want to be much more cautious in working up a load, and you may want to stay away from the really hot stuff.

[stimpylu32]

Maplicito

Just because the book lists the load at max does NOT meam that it is max in your rifle , you may reach rifle max will before book listings . also going up in that big of jump is just asking for trouble .

Take those max loads and set them aside till you have worked up from 66 grains in 1 grain increases . only when you have worked up to max with no problems would i shoot them .

stimpy

[stimpylu32]

Your load development should also be based on the firearm you're using. If it's a brand new, modern arm with no question about strength or condition, you can probably move to max loads a little quicker. If it's grandpa's old deerslayer, you probably want to be much more cautious in working up a load, and you may want to stay away from the really hot stuff.

Not sure i would want to move that fast with any firearm , always work up slowly and be safe not sorry .

Richard

[Maplicito]

It's a Tikka with about 50 rounds through it.  I'm either going to make an intermediate load, or just fire off my softer loads today.  I've got 60 rounds loaded up, mostly 250 grainers - and there's not much chance I fire off all 60 today anyway - I don't think my shoulder would approve

Thanks for the suggestions - I love that I can come on thiis website, find out I've made mistakes, but just get friendly advice and instruction, and no condescending remarks.