Forming new brass question. UPDATE!!!page3

[mello_collins]

I"™m going to try using new brass in my 25-06. How do you go about it for your rifles? I"™m using a lee collet die set; neck sizing only and I want to fire form to my chamber. I have heard to fire form with the bullet 20thousanths, touching, and 10-20thousanths jam into the lands. I know I"™ll need a reduced (starting or milder) charge if touching or into the lands. Opinions and experiences please? Also do you turn the out side of the necks and if so what equipment do you use? I have started thinking about turning mine.

mello

[Pawildman]

Mello.......Unless I'm missing something here, which is possible, I've never had any problems switching from worn brass to new brass. I run the new brass thru the resizer die, check trim length, load as normal and fire away.

[Ridge Runner]

ok, 26-06? are you refering to a 25/06 or the wildcat 6.5/06? I'll wait for the answer before I post.
RR

[mello_collins]

Ridge,
My fingers can't type. I ment 25-06. Sorry for the typo.

mello

[Ridge Runner]

want the best brass with the longest life? get lapua, 30-06, then size it down to 25-06, if your die is set right accuracy will be very good from the first loading. and if you don't try to hotrod it, I wouldn't be surprised if you got 8-10 firings out of lapua brass. It can stand pressure like no other brass made, its higher cause its better. don't pay the money for nosler, its pretty much another remington brass, not to bad but remmy is 1/3 the money, win isn't bad though. just FL resize with your die set to your chamber and it'll be fine.
RR

[stalkingbear]

I guess everybody has overlooked the obvious-1st time sizing-full length resize new brass!!!!!!

I used to neck turn, but won't anymore. I use a sinclair Intl neck turning kit. If you do neck turn, you really should anneal after, and you also need a neck thicknessgauge. I only take the neck down to .014" neck thickness min. Any more than that, you might not be able to hold a bullet.

Also recommend getting a FL sizer for your purpose of new brass.

I have tried all kinds of techniques for fire forming but its a pain in the butt. From cotton stuff in with bullseye powder to filling the case with all kinds of other stuff. I won't do it anymore. I will just shoot.

[mello_collins]

bigcountry,

If I do turn it will only be from the outside to even it up a little (read as scuff off the high spots if any). It probably is not needed in my case though. I guess I need to pick up a FL die. I'm going to be using win brass and I have readall kinds of weird combos like what you stated. Any experience with seating depths for fire forming. I only want to neck size after and will toss after five reloads or so for safety.

mello

[HEAD0001]

I would like to have a dime for every different fire forming method I have heard.

Ridge Runner and PA Wildman have it right(IMO). I am not sure about the recommendations about having to FL size new brass. I have shot a lot of new brass by just bumping down the neck(and making it concentric) with the expander ball out of the die. Then running a Sinclair sizing mandrel to open up the neck. I recommend this system, but I will admit thatthis iswhat I do to all my rifles, and I do not load my rifles hot, so headspace is never a problem for me.

Unless you are running a tight chamber the outside turning is not a necessity. You will get the most brass flow with your first firing. If you feel the need to turn, then I would turn it after your first firing, but I would want to know my chamber dimensions first. Tom.

[HighDesertWolf]

for fire forming new brass heres what I do its the easiest no brainer way for example Im gonna explain this with the use of 308 win just for examples sake

1. I full length size the brass, I feel you should always resize even new brass.

2. Trim brass to just under Maximum length, if the brass measures less then skip this step.

3. Then load as normally using a start charge of a selected load depending on your desired powder, primer and bullet. I use whatever extra powder or primers I have around and bullets Im not gonna use anymore or just a cheap package of winchester power points.

4. have a fun day of plinking, now you will have your fire formed brass ready for neck sizing.


IMO dont even bother with any other fire froming method they are just asmuch work if not more than throwing together some plinker loads. besides shooting blanks aint asmuch fun as sending some lead down range. you may even shoot at paper you never know you may just have an accurate plinker/fire forming load.