Fire forming for the Ackley's

Greg Duerr

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Mar 25, 2011
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Reno, Nevada
I just fire formed 50 rounds for my .243 Ackley...................I have noticed that once formed I need to set back my shoulders just slightly, is this common?
 
Depending on just how much "slightly" is....yes. Happens a bunch of times.

With my 25-06...Ive done 60 or so casings ( and got to get back at it too...) and I had two that chambered "OK" but I probably should have set the shoulder back about .001.
 
I just fire formed 50 rounds for my .243 Ackley...................I have noticed that once formed I need to set back my shoulders just slightly, is this common?


If you want to chamber rounds like factory you will have to size more.

The advantage of a good fire forming is the chamber fit. The reason not to set back the shoulder
as long as the round will chamber is No head space. The case will be more consistent and last longer
the less sizing you can do. A perfict fitting case will have a feel when chambering (No slack in the bolt)
and unless it is hard/difficult to chamber bumping the shoulder is not necessary And In My Opinion,
detrimental.

If a shooter shoots factory loads only, Head space should be between .001 and .002 in bolt actions.
If he reloads I set the head space at .0005 to .001 . For the Ackleys I set the head space at .000
for fire forming accuracy and to prevent the case from moving during fire forming.

Your dies need to be set so that you can just chamber them unless you are shooting a simi automatic
then full length sizing will be required.

If you want consistency and case life, less sizing is best (You don,t work the brass as much) The 40o
shouldered cases have better life if they are not over sized.

Just my opinion

J E CUSTOM
 
The case fit somewhat tight, but not overly tight...................the Nosler fire formed cases were really night while the Lapu cases were not.
 
The case fit somewhat tight, but not overly tight...................the Nosler fire formed cases were really night while the Lapu cases were not.

My 243AI I form cases with COW and I get maybe 5/6 cases and since I load at the range those cases give me between 25/30 cases to test loads with as I limit myself to 5 load per case.
I've use Lapua and Win brass no problems.

I use same method for my 35 WhelenAI use 35 Whelen brass COW after 5/6 firing may have to bump the shoulders. I'm also shooting 222AI/223AI I form those cases shooting PD and I can easy get up to 8 firing before sizing.

Going from really hard to somewhat tight how does that compare to your other rifles that you reload for. I have the same feel closing the bolt on my AI rifles as I do my other rifles when it time to resize. I've never had to bump shoulders back on first load or fireform load.
 
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