What next for improvment?

[earthquake]

I just started reloading a couple months ago and I've pretty much gotten the hang of basic reloading. My first "batch" of ammo after my first OCW turned out pretty well and I even loaded 300 or so of them for testing and use at the recent Sniper's Hide Cup. There were a few issues I'll discuss shortly, but I'm wondering what's next in the evolution of a reloader to improve my product? What I'm basically doing is this:

1. Deprime once fired brass (from factory Hornady ammo)
2. Tumble then clean primer pockets if necessary.
3. FL resize and bump shoulder if necessary.
4. Trim if necessary.
5. Chamfer/debur neck/mouth.
6. Prime.
7. Charge.
8. Seat bullet (I've done the measurements for seating to ogive)
9. Shoot.

The only problem I've come across in this whole process is with the brass. There are two issues....one with priming the brass, and the other with neck tension.

When I prime with a Lee hand primer, some go in easy...almost too easy, and some almost require tremendous pressure to get in, so much so I'm afraid they'll detonate! The neck tension issues I'm having are frustrating. I ran all brass in the same die (Redding FL neck bushing) during the same reloading session (no adjustment) and some pieces the bullets seat well, others they almost fall into the case and/or I can pull them out by hand!

This has to be a brass issue and not me screwing something up correct? It's all Hornady once-fired brass.

I've been using a 0.292" bushing and I've figured that it's not enough tension. I have since purchased a 0.290" bushing which I'll try next. I'm just wanting to know if it's a "wrong bushing" issue or a "crappy brass" issue.

*So with that info, besides what I need to do with addressing the problems, is there anything else I can do to improve upon my product? Other steps to add, ie- flash hole uniforming, or concentricity checking, or meplat trimming, or....?

Thanks in advance!

 

[No1]

Does your ammo need improvement? Is it not accurate enough? If nothing is broke, don't fix it.

 

[djskit]

Correct No1 - OP, your post does not mention your results on paper. You are asking good questions, but are they the "right" questions. What do your groups look like at 100? 1,000? I started slowly in ramping up my reloading techniques, and added steps only when tangible problems with my loads cropped up. Verticle stringing at 1,000 is my dead-give-away that something needs to be enhanced. If my waterline is sub MOA at 1K, then I know my techniques and process is sound.

Also, it takes some time for marksmanship issues to iron themselves out such that you can reliable state "it's the ammo"

 

[BC 6.8]

I assume that you are shooting a 6.5 Creedmoor due to the fact you are using Hornady brass and a .292 bushing. Personally, I use a .289 or .288 bushing for my Creedmoor. Unless you brass is much thicker than mine, you are not sizing the neck down far enough.

 

[earthquake]

Thanks guys. I guess I stated my questions wrong. My ammo is accurate at distance as far as I know. I haven't been able to test groups at long range. At the SHC, I had some hits, some misses, and I know a fast-paced comp isn't the place to be figuring out load precision at long range. I will get around to doing that hopefully soon. I will be switching to my .290" bushing as well. I couldn't find a .289" in stock. I should have asked, "Is there anything else I can try that will help, or am I doing enough?" I'm just going to keep plugging away like what I've done so far. I am happy with what I've seen out of my first batch of reloads.

However, is it poor brass causing my seating pressure with primers? I can work on the neck tension issue by changing bushings. I thought once-fired brass would have been a bit better than that. And yes, I'm shooting 6.5 Creedmoor. Thanks again.

 

[Clark]

Improving documentation is free.
I have been writing up range reports with reloading, gun status, and target results for 12 years.
The reports are kept in an email reader draft form with pics, so it is a searchable data base.

"Who's a thought reading and writing would pay off?" - Homer Simpson

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Bullet T.I.R.(runout)of less than .002", will remove many 'flyers'.
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