6.5CM reloading questions

[ssteve]

Sorry for the newb questions but I wanted to confirm somethings before I started reloading for a new rifle.

First off, I don't currently have a way to trim cases(lee case length gauge is in the mail). All my once fired brass is between 1.913 and 1.918 after full length sizing. Is .005 enough of a difference to where I would notice anything if I am trying to do the Scott Saterlee 10 round ladder method?

Second, I am using norma brass that has large rifle primer pockets and I have a bunch of different primers. I haven't seen much quality info on the differences in performance between primers to really justify one over the other, but it seems as if they all have different characteristics... IE some soft and prone to cratering etc. I will be loading h4350 and using 130-140gr projectiles(might try the 143eldx at some point) and it will be out of a Bergara HMR that has a 22" barrel.

 

[spife7980]

If this is brand new brass and not exceedingly long then I wouldnt bother trimming yet.
I run an initial ladder for new brass just to see what charge will give me acceptable performance when fire forming the whole lot. When its shot once you might notice that you can run slightly higher charges with your now increased case capacity so I run a second ladder once I have some fire formed brass.

This shows them as 1.920-.02 so anywhere between 1.900 and 1.920 would be acceptable. You shouldnt have any issues loading the brass up as is based on your provided measurements.

 

[nexusfire]

Trim back to 1.905 and never do it again.