Is it possible? The reason I ask is I have had great success with low es with my loads, but I have always annealed. Lately I have quit annealing because I have been waiting to purchase an AMP annealer. My es have gone out the roof since I have not been annealing. I was just curious to know if anyone can have consistently low es numbers without annealing. Thanks
Low extreme spread numbers without annealing
- Thread starter jaybigboy34
- Start date
I was getting extreme spreads of anywhere from 7 to 15. Now with no annealing they have went up anywhere from 30 to 47.
Ok so I mustbe doing something wrong. Could you go through your process quickly for me? Thank you
Have you compared brass spring back? Measuring cases pre/post sizing with an annealed and sized one?
What brass?
Scale calibration off or other variables in reloading like location affected by summer/humidity versus winter etc?
What brass?
Scale calibration off or other variables in reloading like location affected by summer/humidity versus winter etc?
I am using lapua brass. I have checked my scales and they are fine. Haven't shot this barrel in winter weather yet. It has been all summer temps.
Unless were talking about two different things – ES is the difference between the slowest round and the fastest round in the string of rounds you are running past your chrono. It’s going to be determined by the consistency of rounds you load. The consistency of the round is going to be determined the consistency of the components you use, and the manner in which you assemble those components.
I think brass prep is pretty important when it comes to loading consistent rounds, but since I don’t shoot bench rest I don’t spend as much time on it as some hand loaders. Consistent primer pockets, and neck tensions are what I focus on the most. I'm not the best person to ask about neck tensions, etc. I load to shoot, so I try to make it as painless as possible. I prep 200-300 cases at a time, prime it, and store it in ammo boxes, so it's ready when I need it. I have fairly low tech equipment, because I put my money in my rifles, but it works well, and my SD's are consistently under 6.5, which means that my extreme spreads are low too.
What are your velocities doing? Obviously they are either increasing or decreasing because of temperature.
Also, have you switched powder lots? I have had to reduce. 5 grain on some loads because of switching powder lots. I know but 8-16 pounds of one lot of powder.
Also, have you switched powder lots? I have had to reduce. 5 grain on some loads because of switching powder lots. I know but 8-16 pounds of one lot of powder.
I don't think I answered your question. Are you looking for a rundown on the process I use to load a round?
Velocities are normal, but some are higher. I might have switched powder lots, so that could be it, but I haven't had that kind of problem in the past.
I would check powder lots and go from there. It has nailed me more then once! Hard lesson learned and frustrating, now I do a OCW test when switching lots juat ti confirm velocities and use Quickload to adjust from there
