So I did bench setup thread, did a what is best reloading equipment u have purchased thread so now for the what is your process thread. So this is two part, starting with new brass and then what is different when using fired brass. So I will start, this is with nib brass:
1. Measure OAL on about 10 pcs and take an average
2. Measure base to shoulder datum line on about 10 pcs
3. I will set die up and bump all shoulders to the shortest datum line measurement.
4. Trim all brass to shortest OAL I found
5. Chamfer and debur
6. Mandrel size with sinclair expander die with sinclair NT mandrel
7. Ream all flash holes and uniform primer pockets
8. Prime, charge and start semi load work to fire form brass and find where I hit max pressure and start kind looking for velocity nodes.
Next is fired brass assuming it's fire formed.
1. Deprime
2. Tumble in rebel 17 SS tumbler
3. Anneal
4. Setup die again now to Bump shoulder .0015
5. Chamfer and debur
6. Mandrel size
7. Prime, charge and verify load that I either have already chosen based on group size/SD numbers or areas I want to explore further. Or if I have not hit pressure and want to keep climbing powder charge. Assuming this is fireformed now your results will start to be tangible and repeatable unlike initial load work when u are fire forming.
I do neck turn for some guns but that is totally dependent on my overall expectations of the rifle. Straight bench gun on paper groups or is this a more tac rig that I am going to be just banging MOA steel at distance. Concerning dies I usually use Whidden or Redding FL bushing dies if I neck turn or FL Forster BR dies if it's non turned either way expander buttons in dies is a no-no in my reloading room!! On the cases I do neck turn I do run steel wool on OD and ID of necks. I am sure I am forgetting something but I know others will chime in with their process. I personally do not put much faith in initial load work on new brass as case volume changes once its fireformed so small amount of tweaking will still be needed but IMHO it will still give u a good idea of velocity in certain nodes along with really good idea of the ceiling where pressure signs start. And again may not be what everyone else does but I always start with bullet at around .015 off lands and do powder charges and then I focus in on fine tuning seating depth when groups are acceptable and SDs are where I find them acceptable. There are a bunch of ways to skin a cat this is just mine, hope this helps. Looking forward to learning from other people's processes! We all want little bitty tiny groups!!
1. Measure OAL on about 10 pcs and take an average
2. Measure base to shoulder datum line on about 10 pcs
3. I will set die up and bump all shoulders to the shortest datum line measurement.
4. Trim all brass to shortest OAL I found
5. Chamfer and debur
6. Mandrel size with sinclair expander die with sinclair NT mandrel
7. Ream all flash holes and uniform primer pockets
8. Prime, charge and start semi load work to fire form brass and find where I hit max pressure and start kind looking for velocity nodes.
Next is fired brass assuming it's fire formed.
1. Deprime
2. Tumble in rebel 17 SS tumbler
3. Anneal
4. Setup die again now to Bump shoulder .0015
5. Chamfer and debur
6. Mandrel size
7. Prime, charge and verify load that I either have already chosen based on group size/SD numbers or areas I want to explore further. Or if I have not hit pressure and want to keep climbing powder charge. Assuming this is fireformed now your results will start to be tangible and repeatable unlike initial load work when u are fire forming.
I do neck turn for some guns but that is totally dependent on my overall expectations of the rifle. Straight bench gun on paper groups or is this a more tac rig that I am going to be just banging MOA steel at distance. Concerning dies I usually use Whidden or Redding FL bushing dies if I neck turn or FL Forster BR dies if it's non turned either way expander buttons in dies is a no-no in my reloading room!! On the cases I do neck turn I do run steel wool on OD and ID of necks. I am sure I am forgetting something but I know others will chime in with their process. I personally do not put much faith in initial load work on new brass as case volume changes once its fireformed so small amount of tweaking will still be needed but IMHO it will still give u a good idea of velocity in certain nodes along with really good idea of the ceiling where pressure signs start. And again may not be what everyone else does but I always start with bullet at around .015 off lands and do powder charges and then I focus in on fine tuning seating depth when groups are acceptable and SDs are where I find them acceptable. There are a bunch of ways to skin a cat this is just mine, hope this helps. Looking forward to learning from other people's processes! We all want little bitty tiny groups!!
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