Author Topic: rifle reloading question (Read 422 times)

goosepit · « **on:** September 20, 2004, 05:32:34 PM »

I've been reloading for straight wall pistol cartridges for the last couple years, and I'm just starting to reload for my rifles.I'm worried about headspace, basiclly I'm worried about doing something wrong and ending up with dangerous ammo. I bought new winchester brass, screwed the die down untill it touched the shellholder, lubed and ran the brass thru the die. I have a stoney point head n shoulders headspace gauge and measured a factory loaded winchester round then compared my 100 cases and they varied from + .004 to -.002, maybe 50% of them were around .001.
Is this to much difference? did I not size them enough?
None of my manuals address this very well. Should I load them and then measure them after they are fired in my guns? I'm using rcbs dies and press, the cases are 25-06.
thanks,
Scott

PA-Joe · « **Reply #1 on:** September 21, 2004, 02:14:20 AM »

Factory new cases vary a lot. The key is not to bounce the shoulders back more than you have to. It affects how many times you will be able to reload that case.

It's the headspace after you fire them that counts. reload the new per your recipe then fire them. Then measure the headspace of the fired rounds. Adjust your dies so that you are not bouncing the headspace more than 0.001 or .002.

By the way are you trimming your cases? Get a lee case trimmer and you will see how much factory new can vary on length.

With bottle neck cases don't over lube before resizing. Too much lube and you will get buckles in the neck. small buckles are ok for firing.

bigdaddytacp · « **Reply #2 on:** September 21, 2004, 12:16:42 PM »

Quote from: goosepit

I've been reloading for straight wall pistol cartridges for the last couple years, and I'm just starting to reload for my rifles.I'm worried about headspace, basiclly I'm worried about doing something wrong and ending up with dangerous ammo. I bought new winchester brass, screwed the die down untill it touched the shellholder, lubed and ran the brass thru the die. I have a stoney point head n shoulders headspace gauge and measured a factory loaded winchester round then compared my 100 cases and they varied from + .004 to -.002, maybe 50% of them were around .001.
Is this to much difference? did I not size them enough?
None of my manuals address this very well. Should I load them and then measure them after they are fired in my guns? I'm using rcbs dies and press, the cases are 25-06.
thanks,
Scott

.............After you fire the cases in your gun...THEN check the fired cases and adjust your dies in the press to set the shoulder back a couple of thousandths from that fired reading....let the cases cool and make sure you wipe them clean and get the gauge straight in the calipers and the blade of the caliper flat/flush with the case head and check a few of the cases for a good average reading......then the resized cases should be checked in your chamber..again make sure it is clean and dry....the cases should let the bolt/action close smoothly and easily as a factory round....then load the resized cases and check them in the gun....safely!!!!! and that setting will give good long lasting ammo to shoot and reload....keep the trim length checked and the cases should go for many reloadings.....hth..good luck and good shooting-loading!!!

Duffy · « **Reply #3 on:** September 22, 2004, 02:23:12 AM »

Depending on the chamber in your gun they may stretch as much as .015 in the first firing. As said above, that's when you need to measure and adjust your die. If your rifle will tolerate it neck sizing is a better alternative. Some have large chambers and need the case body sized a bit so neck only doesnt work well on those rifles.

Ryan