Suppressors reloading and suppressors

[jbell]

I have with in the last 6 months been shooting w/ a SAS .308 suppressor and have noticed I have been getting inconsistant neck tension. I am still using Lapua brass , the same dies and prep procedure (been doing this since the early 90s) so nothing has changed in that respect. I dont anneal my brass (but am starting to think about doing so), but have never needed to, my neck tension for the .308 is 0.001"-0.0015" and has always been VERY consistant. However after going suppressed I am running into inconsistant neck tension. Keep in mind its not a major ammount, but it is noticable when seating a bullet. I have also ran into some cases that seem to be expanding in the extractor groove. I dont run very high pressure or max loads. Is this common, and does anyone have any recomendations.

 

[fusiachi]

Re: reloading and suppressors

This sounds more like a coincidence than a causal relationship to me.

 

[J.Boyette]

Re: reloading and suppressors

Try a Lee Factory Crimp Die.

no kidding.

This will keep the necks all the same tension no matter the match bullet and does not hurt the jacket of the bullet or the accuracy of the load. Most of the time it gets the load a little tighter.

See if that helps any.

John

 

[BLANKSGUNS]

Re: reloading and suppressors

yeap, I agree with John, I run the same thing on my subs with the Lee factory crimp and have doing it for years. gtg in my book, try it and you will see the difference.

 

[Goldbeachman]

Re: reloading and suppressors

If it were me I would not go to crimping for a precision bolt rifle handload. (I'm assuming you were talking about a bolt rifle and note that Stacy refers to semiautomatics). On the other hand, a rifle likes what a rifle likes and the prior two posters apparently have had positive results.

You could borrow your buddy Bob's new annealer I know he can't resist buying soon.

I'd be annealing before resorting to crimping.

 

[Jimmym40a2]

Re: reloading and suppressors

There is no corelation between the two. I run all my guns suppressed and it is never an issue. I know tons of other guys who do and its never an issue.

 

[jbell]

Re: reloading and suppressors

Thanks for the replies. I just wanted to see if there is any correlation between the two from other peoples experience. I think Ill crack open a new box of brass sence I have been on the same one with the can. Ill also have to try out Bobs annealer and start shopping for one for me.

 

[colt933]

Re: reloading and suppressors

How do you set neck tension, with a bushing die?

 

[jbell]

Re: reloading and suppressors

Yes, I use the neck thickness (measured w/ a ball mic) x 2 and subtract that from the bushing size and adjust for just under 0.001 brass spring back, and bullet diameter. Here is how it works:

Lapua .308 brass = 0.015 wall thickness x 2 = 0.030"
I use a 0.336 bushing less the wall thickness = 0.306
then you have the spring back of just under 0.001 = 0.307+
and finally subtract that from bullet diameter 0.308 = 0.001+

Its important to remember not all bullets of the same caliber are the same diameter and not all brass has the same spring back and that changes over time, which is why some people anneal.

 

[silentbushmaster]

Re: reloading and suppressors

I have loaded tons of 308 and 300 Blackout/Whisper, never had a problem.