I have my load. Use FL sized brass or fire formed?

[Creature]

I finally tuned(chrono'd and accuracy test) in my 178gr amax load and have run into a hang up. Desired accuracy was achieved using 2x fire formed/neck-sized brass.

Here's the problem: i have a shit ton of 1x FL-sized Win brass and would like to just be able to crank out 200rds of my new load. I'm leery about leaving out that element in the case prep in regards to accuracy.

I have a bunch of 147gr surplus bullets i got somewhat cheap and was just thinking about loading them light and practicing(to fire form brass). That seems a little excessive but would ensure all conditions were the same as before.

Should I just load my 178gr load in FL sized cases or fire form them with the 147s first?

 

[Leaddog]

Re: I have my load. Use FL sized brass or fire formed?

What distances and targets are you shooting?

Sell the 147's. They will be a disappointment and you'll be chasing accuracy as long as you shoot them. Fireform your brass while you are shooting like you should be shooting.

 

[Carnivore]

Re: I have my load. Use FL sized brass or fire formed?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Creature</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I finally tuned(chrono'd and accuracy test) in my 178gr amax load and have run into a hang up. Desired accuracy was achieved using 2x fire formed/neck-sized brass.

Here's the problem: i have a shit ton of 1x FL-sized Win brass and would like to just be able to crank out 200rds of my new load. I'm leery about leaving out that element in the case prep in regards to accuracy.

I have a bunch of 147gr surplus bullets i got somewhat cheap and was just thinking about loading them light and practicing(to fire form brass). That seems a little excessive but would ensure all conditions were the same as before.

Should I just load my 178gr load in FL sized cases or fire form them with the 147s first? </div></div>

Ok, IF you are loading for accuracy, instead of competition, you should shoot fire formed brass to the chamber size and bump the shoulder back a very consistent one or two thousandths for ease of cambering. This will give you longer brass life and less cold work of the brass. If you are shooting for competition, you should full length size for ease of cambering and consistency in being able to chamber. Full length resizing will shorten the life of the brass and give you a bit less chamber volume, but give you consistent ease of cambering a load in competition.

It all depends on what your objective is in life!

 

[vman]

Re: I have my load. Use FL sized brass or fire formed?

Just load up your 1x and fireform them. Who cares at 200 yards unless your trying to shoot flies off a dogs arse.

I vote just load and go.

 

[MitchAlsup]

Re: I have my load. Use FL sized brass or fire formed?

It is my personl opinion that the 1X adn 2X fire formed brass will be, for all practical purposes, identical with respect to interrior volume and expansion ratio.

Thus, load 'em up and have done with it.

 

[Creature]

Re: I have my load. Use FL sized brass or fire formed?

I think I might just load up 20 or so of these FL sized cases with my load and see how the accuracy looks.

leaddog: I am shooting 0-300 at range 15min away and then to 1000k yds another 20min down the road. As far as whether I'm shooting, don't assume that I'm not. In fact I've been using the 147gr bullets to practice position shooting(offhand, kneeling, sitting, prone/non-bipod). Of course they're not as accurate as the other load but I can smack gongs out to 300 with them.

@Carnivore: you make a good point in regards to reliability of chambering with FL cases. I think I'm gonna go that route.

Thanks guys.