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Brass Handling

24 Jan 2020
@ 08:21 am (GMT)

Robert McLean

So I am trying to reach a new level this year and itching to get at it. The temp went from -30 to 0 c here so going out this weekend for the first shoot of the year.

I think one focus should be brass handling. I really have not been sorting my brass as well as I should. I have not been keeping track of how many times I particular case has been shot. I have only gone with concentricity, size, any damage and as I notice that they get harder to neck size to the exact correct size and stay there I decide on the ones that I really want to concentrate on for grouping.

The question is should I go that extra mile and separate my cases by number of fires. I guess its not a big deal to do but I wonder if it will pay. I have alot of cases in circulation right now but I can just use those f and fouling shots and last rounds of the day practice if needed. I have new brass and once fired to start a fresh...

Never annealed a case, and I would have to be convinced to start.

Also, neck turning? Don't have the equipment but could get it.

I've read the books but I want to know from others if they think brass handling in this way helped put them over the hump meaningfully to better consistency.


Replies

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24 Jan 2020
@ 06:40 pm (GMT)

Jon Short

Re: Brass Handling
I Lee neck size. Several things I do in particular taking notice during the resizing/reloading process;

- Take notice of how tight the case is to chamber then decide if you want to give it another load. Too tight, hiff it.
- I have found that some cases stretch more than others fired the same no of times so to me its a matter of bolt feel among other things. I don't bother writing how many times I have fired the case on ea case now. I found it a waste of time as its almost meaningless.
- How loose is the primer when you neck size & punch the dead primer out in the process? If its loose the primer pocket has stretched & you should hiff the case.
- If you missed doing that how much resistance was there when you fitted the new primer? If there wasn't any real resistance then hiff the case as again the primer pocket has stretched.
- I have not bothered anealing cases yet. Typically I have found that the checks & measures above were enough for me.
- I do primer pocket uniform, flash hole de-burr & neck turn all my cases before use. It takes time but we go to so much trouble to gain the best accuracy we can out of our rifles, so why not do this when its basically a one off procedure for each case? While its not needed for normal deer stalking at closer ranges, what is there to lose & if it makes you feel better about how uniform & concentric you loads are then why not?

Cheers,

Jon
24 Jan 2020
@ 11:27 pm (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Re: Brass Handling
Would you not anneal your cases for uniformity of your brass? If you want maximum rewards for your efforts! If brass hardens from being worked and your loading a batch of ammo using unevenly worked brass Won't the cases have uneven neck tensions? To get repeatable results you need everything to be the same! I treat reloading like building a blueprint car engine. Everything is balanced, measured and kept the exact same...... just a thought. ...
25 Jan 2020
@ 01:35 pm (GMT)

Jon Short

Re: Brass Handling
Yeah good point Warwick something I must learn to do. I haven't had any issue with varying neck tension between cases with my 6.5x55 nor 7mm RM, but I have noticed it on my 8x57. I put it down to the case hardly necking down much to a bloody big neck opening. Perhaps annealing the 8x57 cases might help resolve this? Accuracy is pretty reasonable with that rifle as you have seen.

The reason why I know that neck tensions with the 8mm is variable with the odd case is because occasionally when seating the projectile I notice less / very little resistance/interference as it slides into the case. Might see annealing fixes this myself.
25 Jan 2020
@ 05:41 pm (GMT)

Paul Leverman

Re: Brass Handling
Robert & Jon - I went the cheap route for annealing. I bought some "Tempilaq" brush on and use the Sinclar shell holder and drive bit. Polish up the neck, dab a bit on, spin it in the drill and use a micro propane torch. After a couple of trial runs, it turns out to be quite easy to do consistently, but it is time consuming. But what better way to wait out this nasty bit of winter. I haven't loaded or shot them yet, just kind of playing around, to see what's what.
25 Jan 2020
@ 09:40 pm (GMT)

Magnus Vassbotn

Re: Brass Handling
Jon, I don't know which die you are using for your 8x57, but with the lee neck sizer I found it to be small matter to sand down the mandrel 0,1-0,2 mm, as described in Nathans reloading book (and other places). I guess the same can be done with most mandrels.

Paul, I've also done a little bit of annealing with a drill and two small torches blowing towards each other. As you say, a few trial runs is all it takes. Of course I can't say anything about metal temperature or structure, but the cases seemed pretty fine to work with afterwords.

Robert, I sort the cases roughly by number of reloads, but I know several very skilled reloaders/ shooters who don't bother, and still have great results.
26 Jan 2020
@ 03:39 am (GMT)

Paul Leverman

Re: Brass Handling
Magnus, I bought the Tempilaq (Temperature Indicating Lacquer???) because I once saw an ad from Hornady that had a similar substance. All sorts of temperature ranges available. A little smear on the outside and when it reaches temperature, it changes colour and you're done. Very simple to use, and it must be fairly accurate, it's a laboratory control product.
26 Jan 2020
@ 05:32 am (GMT)

Magnus Vassbotn

Re: Brass Handling
Interesting stuff. Will definately check it out when or if annealing is on the menue again. For now I'm only shooting standard cartridges, so just dump the whole batch when they start cracking in the neck, and get a new batch for next to nothing. The beauty of the boring.
27 Jan 2020
@ 09:41 am (GMT)

Jon Short

Re: Brass Handling
Hi Magnus,

Yes it is a lee collet die & yes I have taken the mandrel down a little but perhaps I need to take it a little more. The die was also a little sticky at times & sometimes the collet jambs up / doesn't fully re open. I've tried to smooth out the faces of the collet & cone where I think its jambing. I might send it back for replacement if it continues as I think the machining is a bit rough which is unusual as I have quite a number of these dies in numerous calibres & none others have this problem.

However, the point I was trying to make was that I get inconsistency in neck tension with the 8x57 (winchester cases)& perhaps that indicates a need to anneal? Its like the brass springs back after sizing in a variable way from case to case.

As stated earlier accuracy is v good & around 1/2 - 3/4 MOA. I suspect that is because pressures maybe do not get that high in the 8mm & it perhaps quite forgiving on neck tension. Ill try annealing for this round next re-load & see how it goes. Might tighten groups up more?
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