Author Topic: Loading for the Encore... (Read 888 times)

ABaker · « **on:** February 19, 2005, 11:05:55 AM »

I am trying to load some rounds for my Encore, but while test fitting them into the bore they were very tight. They also didn't want to eject. I am using a Lee Loader. Anyone know what would make them do this? I am using winchester brass. The brass has been fired before.

22popnsplat · « **Reply #1 on:** February 19, 2005, 03:58:29 PM »

need more details!
What caliber ?
Was this brass fired in your barrel ?
Are you full length resizeing ?

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2005, 01:47:16 AM »

Andy,

The Lee Loader only resizes the neck and as long as they were previously fired from the same chamber, they should fit. However the cases may have streached in firing and need to be trimmed. Lee makes an inexpensiv little trimming tool to return them to specifications.

Another potential problem would be if you put too much of a roll crimp on the bullet and the neck is bulged where it meets the bullet making it tight to chamber.

Bring them over sometime if you want and I will be happy to measure them for you to see what the problem is.

mikemayberry · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2005, 02:32:28 AM »

Tom and others,

This might be a good thread to wade into with a couple of questions I have had about loading for the Encore:

I have accumulated about 100 rounds of fired once in my Encore Remington Accutip brass. I want to reload this brass as opposed to going and buying virgin brass if possible and if you see no issues of consistency.

I should state now that this is for my .270 barrel and all of my reloaded .270s will be fired in this Encore barrel only.

I am experimenting with different bullets and seating depths but am staying mostly with IMR 4831 for now just because it seemed like a good "middle of the road" powder. Using the same large rifle primers and have no issues with misfires. My only variables therefore are the brass question above, sizing it properly, and choice of bullet and depth.

Being new to reloading, I am trying to "work up a load" and haven't really figured out how to do that. On my first attempt, I made 10 rounds at each powder level but that may be excessive. First time at the range, I didn't yet find anything that I would say "EUREKA-I found my load!"

Overall, I'm just looking for suggestions and confirmation that I am going about this in kinda the right way.

Your ideas would be appreciated.

Mike

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2005, 03:02:28 AM »

Mike,

Your once fired Remington brass would be preferable to buying new brass. The new brass needs to be sized, trimmed, deburred and inspected anyway.

Also you once fired brass already is conformed to fit your chamber. You would probably ahead by neck sizing that brass rather than full length sizing. Just position your resizing die up about an eigth of an inch, not bottoming on the shell holder, so that you are not moving the shoulder back. Some folks like the collet sizing dies and I have heard that they work really well.

Ten with each charge would give you adequate numbers for testing shooting five shot groups. After testing with those combinations and you are not satisified, you may want to switch bullet weight & design, powder and primer combinations. Usually it preferable to switch only one component at a time and work up your load from there.

As far as powder goes I load my 270 with AA4350 powder and Hornady 140 grain bullets. Don't remember the charge but it is not maximum and works well in a Remington Model 700.

ABaker · « **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2005, 04:42:15 AM »

Quote from: 22popnsplat

need more details!
What caliber ?
Was this brass fired in your barrel ?
Are you full length resizeing ?

1. 22-250
2. Yes
3. No the Lee Loader only sizes the neck, the cases have a bulge at the base of the brass where it starts to get thinner. The cases have been trimmed and it doesn't seem like they are too long, just too fat.

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #6 on:** February 20, 2005, 06:42:54 AM »

When those cases were first fired were they difficult to extract from the chamber?

After extraction did you try to rechamber any of them or do you have any that you have not reload yet, and will they chamber?

Trying to see if there is something with the loading process that is causing a problem with a fired case that will chamber before and then after it is neck sized.

ABaker · « **Reply #7 on:** February 20, 2005, 01:39:58 PM »

Quote from: Thomas Krupinski

When those cases were first fired were they difficult to extract from the chamber?

After extraction did you try to rechamber any of them or do you have any that you have not reload yet, and will they chamber?

Trying to see if there is something with the loading process that is causing a problem with a fired case that will chamber before and then after it is neck sized.

1. About half of them were hard to extract, Factory ammunition does not do that.

2. Yes, half of them were tight, they wont allow the Encore to close all the way, the hammer won't go back.

I tried to chamber a case that was once fired, it fit. I trimmed it, neck sized it and it still fit. The ones that were once fired and wont fit still wont work after trimmed and neck sized.

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #8 on:** February 20, 2005, 03:11:25 PM »

When you get an opportunity bring them over to me along with your pistol with the Lee Loader and I think I can fix them up for you. If you don't have my cell number send me an e-mail. There is a problem with the house phone line and incoming calls are not making it in.

I will probably be out hunting on Monday, so catch me in the evening.

Tdot · « **Reply #9 on:** February 26, 2005, 02:53:05 PM »

ABaker,
I had the same experience with my 22-250. I guess that I was reloading too hot, even though I was well under max load bulging the cases. I fullsized all of my brass and backed off on the powder and havent had any problems since. Iam using Frontier brass which is the origional Hornady factory ammunition brass.
The load I am using is 36 gr. H4895 @ 3900 FPS / 40 Gr. V-Max

Note: I lived in Glendale area 30 yrs./ Now I live in Gods country.
Jerry

brasskeeper · « **Reply #10 on:** February 27, 2005, 01:27:40 AM »

Quote from: ABaker

Quote from: 22popnsplat
need more details!
What caliber ?
Was this brass fired in your barrel ?
Are you full length resizeing ?

1. 22-250
2. Yes
3. No the Lee Loader only sizes the neck, the cases have a bulge at the base of the brass where it starts to get thinner. The cases have been trimmed and it doesn't seem like they are too long, just too fat.

Sounds like you need to get a full length resizing die.

JoeRobbins · « **Reply #11 on:** February 27, 2005, 05:18:51 AM »

On this particular chamber you may want to index the brass when you load it. The chamber may be slightly "out of round." Make sure the headstamp is always up when you fire your next set of brass and them try reinserting back into the chamber indexed.

SKB, who posts on this forum, suggested this for my Encore. I hadn't been doing this before, but it's like second nature to put the ammo in the same way now.

JR

ABaker · « **Reply #12 on:** February 28, 2005, 02:39:16 PM »

Brasskeeper was right. I think my barrel is out of round, so I full length sized them and they fit in fine. I tried putting them in headstap up and some were still tight. They just needed FL resized.

Keith L · « **Reply #13 on:** March 01, 2005, 01:55:54 AM »

If this is a barrel chambered by the factory or one of the custom houses then I am at a loss to see how a reamed chamber could be out of round. If it was done in someone's basement with a hand drill then I suppose anything is possible. Done on a machine tool the runout would be so minimal as to be difficult to measure and impossible to notice on brass.