I've been reloading for over 30 years. Not a noob.
My question concerns an issue I've run into reloading for my 300WM. I have a LR load that works very well. It performs seamlessly between Nosler and Federal brass. Recently I bought quite a bit of Winchester brass, as it was all I could get and my other brass is getting really tired.
I did all the usual brass prep and sorting I normally do. The one exception was that the case necks were very inconsistent. So I turned them *close* to full exposure on some of the worst. They varied from .0115 to .0170" I turned them to .0125" The Nosler/Federal are fairly consistent from .0135-.0140".
I OCW tested and found that the Win. brass shot smallest at almost exactly the same velocity as the Nosler/Federal using 1 more gr. of powder (they weigh less and have more H2O capacity).
BUT... they will not group the same. They're shooting 1 1/2 to 2x size groups.
I mention neck sizing as it's the only variable that stands out to me...
Any thought's from you reloading mavens?
John
My question concerns an issue I've run into reloading for my 300WM. I have a LR load that works very well. It performs seamlessly between Nosler and Federal brass. Recently I bought quite a bit of Winchester brass, as it was all I could get and my other brass is getting really tired.
I did all the usual brass prep and sorting I normally do. The one exception was that the case necks were very inconsistent. So I turned them *close* to full exposure on some of the worst. They varied from .0115 to .0170" I turned them to .0125" The Nosler/Federal are fairly consistent from .0135-.0140".
I OCW tested and found that the Win. brass shot smallest at almost exactly the same velocity as the Nosler/Federal using 1 more gr. of powder (they weigh less and have more H2O capacity).
BUT... they will not group the same. They're shooting 1 1/2 to 2x size groups.
I mention neck sizing as it's the only variable that stands out to me...
Any thought's from you reloading mavens?
John