| Posted: Wed May 6th, 2009 07:51 PM |
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overbore
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| Joined: | Mon Mar 10th, 2008 |
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One day I was using a few pieces of Norinco brass to adjust my sizing die before sizing the real brass I was going to reload. Thought this would save wear and tear on my good brass. Turns out the Norinco brass was softer than the RP brass I was loading and the shoulder was longer when sized. Had to adjust the sizing die down a little further to get the case shoulder where it should be on the RP brass.
I must also have too much time on my hands as I began to experiment with re-sized brass to try to have more consistent shoulder location that would fit my chamber better. Turns out that :
1. Hardness of the brass will affect shoulder position, harder brass will have to be sized down a little further and softer brass less so.
2. The number of times the brass has been fired will affect the hardness of the brass due to work hardening and affect die adjustment.
3. The M1/M1A beats up brass and leaves dings on the bottom of the case that affects case shoulder length and proper measurement. To correct this I place a piece of 320 sand cloth on a flat surface such as a granite surface plate or piece of glass and pull the bottom of the case across the sand cloth to flatten the base of the cartridge case before re-sizing. Usually only takes two or three strokes.
The only way I am able to get consistent shoulder locations, within .003 inch, is to use brass that is the same brand and has been fired the same number of times. I had read this before some where and it sure proved true to me.
Learn that brass hardness ( different lots, differnet mfgrs., different number of times fired and resized ) WILL change the headspace!!! WHEN CHANGING LOTS USE YOUR CASE GAUGE!!!!
Laus Deo
Overbore
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| Posted: Mon Jun 15th, 2009 11:34 PM |
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2nd Post |
72coupe
HB certified Master Handloading and Ballistics advisor
| Joined: | Sun Jun 11th, 2006 |
| Location: | Iowa Park, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 2017 |
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One thing that will help with consistency is a set of those Redding competition shell holders. With the Redding shell holders you can easily set the shoulder back a consistant 0.002".
When you can size for head space by getting a good firm kiss between the shell holder on the bottom of the die you will get better consistency. Consistant lubing will also help.
A friend of mine felt that M1s and M1As beat brass up so badly he retired them after 7 or 8 reloads. His thinking was that accuracy suffered from this beating.
Personally I just load it till the necks split.
____________________
Reloader since 1969.
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