Thread: someone wiser than .....

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

It really depends on the head space of your rifle, just setting for the maximum sizing is not recommended as it could result in your ammo having excess head space stretching the web/body junction each firing resulting in case head separation.

Start with a case that has some resistance to closing the bolt in your rifle,wind up half a turn from the shell holder size and wind down 1/8th of a turn until the bolt just closes easily or just the slightest tension.

Thanks, I shall give it a go.

I read or saw on youtube somewhere about contacting the shell holder, especially for Lee turret press to remove the slop out of it. I've been wondering about Redding or Forster bushing bump / body dies for headspace, or my regular Redding FL die with a competition shell holder set to adjust headspace?? New die purchase would also be an excuse to get a sleeved competition micrometer bullet seating die too!! Bit much for a Lee classic turret press though?? I saw a cool old-timer video with the guy removing the firing pin and spring from his bolt (Rem700), so that with no shell chambered the bolt just fell down into place (no resistance at all present from firing pin / spring). He would chamber the empty shell and it would be quite stiff to move the bolt. He would bump the shoulder down 0.001" at a time with just a 'body die' until the bolt could be closed with just his pinky fingertip. He locked the die at this setting. This he stated was optimal headspace. He used no gauges etc and said could be done for any rifle, and warned that optimal results may be outside published limits. He then reinserted the firing pin / spring into the bolt, checked empy shell again and carried on prepping the rest of his brass. I think he was doing this every so often, with just neck sizing in the meantime. I would try it, but don't have a body die for .204cal.

I certainly had a couple cases getting tight to close the bolt on, the last time I was at the range. I measured them in the headspace gauge and they were within 1-2 thou of my other cases (after firing, no knowledge of their headspace before firing)... I got a bit confused, and threw them in the tumbler with all the others. They may have been fired in my mates rifle before, but I'm usually good at keeping them apart... My headspace readings with Hornady gauge (after fired in my rifle) was about 1.557-1.558... SAAMI states 204ruger 1.5613 min to 1.5713 max... so my cases are not within safety margins??

I think I need to overhaul all my brass with new stuff.
I have split cases now appearing every range day, random lots / mixed batches of fired factory Hornady brass and some bought second hand brass, non-uniform primer pockets (think I over did some of them with a cordless drill and pocket cleaner, not the uniformer with the stop ), so think I will buy up some new factory ammo, and blast away from the beginning again. It's been a first year of learning. I still don't know how far to go - weighing brass into batches etc? Outside neck turning on a Tikka varmint not required aye, only custom barrels/ chambers?

Sorry for all the questions / guesses. But many thanks to all who read this and point out anything I need to do / not do

Cheers,

Len

*** Split case necks appearing, I mean. Not any other retardation

Maybe need a solid single stage 'O' press with no slop, too? Rockchucker / Forster etc.

You can get really really anal with your brass and gear if you so desire. It probably won't have any real affect on your accuracy.

All same brand.
All fired in same rifle.
All trimmed same length.
Clean inside necks each fireing.
An aneal every 3 or 4 firings will help keep your neck tensions consistent especially if you loose track of no of firings.
All same no of firings as far as possible.
Sounds like you have sizing sused.

That's all i worry about.....now.
Perhaps would be more fussy shooting for competition but most ammo i load will shoot better than i can so don't get too carried away


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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

You can get really really anal with your brass and gear if you so desire. It probably won't have any real affect on your accuracy.

All same brand.
All fired in same rifle.
All trimmed same length.
Clean inside necks each fireing.
An aneal every 3 or 4 firings will help keep your neck tensions consistent especially if you loose track of no of firings.
All same no of firings as far as possible.
Sounds like you have sizing sused.

That's all i worry about.....now.
Perhaps would be more fussy shooting for competition but most ammo i load will shoot better than i can so don't get too carried away


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+1

Thanks guys, I think I'll calm down a bit..