Reloading - Does the bullet really matter

[dennishoddy]

I use Machinist Dykem when I check for OAL seating depth. I too like my long range rounds to either just touch the lands or maybe a couple thousands under, no more.
Bench rest shooters of old preferred the bolt to have a tiny bit of resistance to close, maybe .001 or .002 as the bullet seated on the lands after the concentricity had been checked.
That in itself can increase the initial pressure spike at ignition as the bullet is prevented for moving forward instantly for a millisecond or two and has to be taken into consideration.
I'm not keeping up with the current techniques much anymore, but that is a little history of back in the day.

 

[Jcann]

it is the same idea for neck sizing, do you also believe neck sizing makes a difference?

I don't understand your question and I'm a little slow tonight. Is your question in reference to reloading or trying to determine bullet seating depth. Please help an old man out

 

[Pokinfun]

I don't understand your question and I'm a little slow tonight. Is your question in reference to reloading or trying to determine bullet seating depth. Please help an old man out

both really,
I read a lot on long range forums. Some guys talk about neck sizing is important and others say it is a waste of time.
For you to say that fire formed brass should be used to determine seating depth would mean that you would have to insert the piece of brass into the chamber in the exact same position every time in the exact position you fired it in. The guys on the long range forum that do not neck size say it is pointless because you are not going to be loading the case into the chamber in the exact same position.
I'm not saying you are wrong, but it does seem pointless, unless you mark each case and chamber it the exact some way each time.

 

[dennishoddy]

I'm not sure, but I think neck sizing is only to allow the brass to be reloaded more times vs full length resizing that stretches the case overall. Open for discussion.

 

[Pokinfun]

I'm not sure, but I think neck sizing is only to allow the brass to be reloaded more times vs full length resizing that stretches the case overall. Open for discussion.

I would agree, but you would need to anneal the necks.

 

[Jcann]

I'm completely lost as to why you need to insert the brass into the chamber in the same exact position as you fired it. Please enlighten me as to why this would need to be done.

When you fire your rifle the brass generally flows forward and expands to seal the chamber. Once the brass cools there is a slight shrinkage. What is it in this process that would say, in order to set your bullet seating depth you must insert your brass in the same position it was fired? All you're doing in this process is, matching more closely the brass to your specific chamber.

 

[Pokinfun]

I'm completely lost as to why you need to insert the brass into the chamber in the same exact position as you fired it. Please enlighten me as to why this would need to be done.

When you fire your rifle the brass generally flows forward and expands to seal the chamber. Once the brass cools there is a slight shrinkage. What is it in this process that would say, in order to set your bullet seating depth you must insert your brass in the same position it was fired? All you're doing in this process is, matching more closely the brass to your specific chamber.

if you put something in a mold and form it, then you take it out of the mold and rotate it 25 degrees it is no longer matched to the mold.
I do not see the point anyway, for measuring OAL. you are not measuring from the shoulder to the tip, you are measuring from the base to the tip. the brass does have to be trimmed exactly either.

 

[Jcann]

With reamer tolerances probably held to one-thousandth/five ten-thousand of an inch I don't think I would worry about it. But if it makes you feel better take multiple measurements (rotating your cartridge each time) and take an average. Personally I think it's rediculus but to each his own.

 

[Pokinfun]

With reamer tolerances probably held to one-thousandth/five ten-thousand of an inch I don't think I would worry about it. But if it makes you feel better take multiple measurements (rotating your cartridge each time) and take an average. Personally I think it's rediculus but to each his own.

I think it is ridicules to use a fire formed case to start with. But, it is your hobby, enjoy it.

 

[Jcann]

I think it is ridicules to use a fire formed case to start with. But, it is your hobby, enjoy it.

Thank you, I will. My methods are proven on paper, LR steel, and hunting.

You're the one asking questions not me. Apparently you have the answers too. Maybe if you didn't have that pesky "molded" chamber things would work out.

Good day to you