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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Reloading
Bullet comparator needed?
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<blockquote data-quote="AZShooter" data-source="post: 991752" data-attributes="member: 5219"><p>Bigeclipse,</p><p></p><p>You may not be able to seat the bullet towards the lands but you can seat the bullet deeper in small increments to see if there is a trend. As the bullet seating depth changes in either direction it can change the harmonics of the barrel which could create tighter groups. </p><p></p><p>If you are using a RCBS seater die (or other similar die) with nothing but a locknut and adjusting screw it will be more difficult than using a competition die when changing seating depth. Here is what I have done so I can duplicate a seating depth that improved group size:</p><p></p><p>I make a dummy round for every seating depth. As I progressively rotate and lock down the seater stem I will make a dummy round and measure it to see if how far the bullet moved compared to the last increment. I try to make the movement fairly consistent like .005" or maybe .010". BUT even if the increment isn't exactly an even value I could duplicate that seating depth again by using the dummy round. Careful labeling of the dummy rounds is important. I will shoot a sample of all seating depths then duplicate the best load using the dummy round with the comparator.</p><p></p><p>I have talked to many beginner handloaders and ask them if they load for several firearms. If they say yes I then ask them how they go about setting up their seating dies to make more loads for their rifle after the die was removed for loading other firearms. Many say they use a lock ring and just screw down the die till it hits the press. I suggest to them that a lock ring setup may not be consistent. Things slip or what torque is the die tightened to? The use of a comparator will ensure that your setup/seating depth is the same as the last time you loaded up ammo for your rifle. </p><p>I have a dummy round made for every cartridge I load. You should too. </p><p></p><p>Here is an example of seating a 168 Sierra matchking in .002" increments in a 308. Note that the group size tightened then opened and tightened up again as the increments were altered. This rifle responded to some pretty small increments. I usually work with .005" or in some instances .010" to see if there is a trend then refine the seating depth again later. </p><p></p><p><a href="http://s206.photobucket.com/user/RossLeggett/media/308groups_zpsca8af0f2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb4/RossLeggett/308groups_zpsca8af0f2.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="AZShooter, post: 991752, member: 5219"] Bigeclipse, You may not be able to seat the bullet towards the lands but you can seat the bullet deeper in small increments to see if there is a trend. As the bullet seating depth changes in either direction it can change the harmonics of the barrel which could create tighter groups. If you are using a RCBS seater die (or other similar die) with nothing but a locknut and adjusting screw it will be more difficult than using a competition die when changing seating depth. Here is what I have done so I can duplicate a seating depth that improved group size: I make a dummy round for every seating depth. As I progressively rotate and lock down the seater stem I will make a dummy round and measure it to see if how far the bullet moved compared to the last increment. I try to make the movement fairly consistent like .005" or maybe .010". BUT even if the increment isn't exactly an even value I could duplicate that seating depth again by using the dummy round. Careful labeling of the dummy rounds is important. I will shoot a sample of all seating depths then duplicate the best load using the dummy round with the comparator. I have talked to many beginner handloaders and ask them if they load for several firearms. If they say yes I then ask them how they go about setting up their seating dies to make more loads for their rifle after the die was removed for loading other firearms. Many say they use a lock ring and just screw down the die till it hits the press. I suggest to them that a lock ring setup may not be consistent. Things slip or what torque is the die tightened to? The use of a comparator will ensure that your setup/seating depth is the same as the last time you loaded up ammo for your rifle. I have a dummy round made for every cartridge I load. You should too. Here is an example of seating a 168 Sierra matchking in .002" increments in a 308. Note that the group size tightened then opened and tightened up again as the increments were altered. This rifle responded to some pretty small increments. I usually work with .005" or in some instances .010" to see if there is a trend then refine the seating depth again later. [URL=http://s206.photobucket.com/user/RossLeggett/media/308groups_zpsca8af0f2.jpg.html][IMG]http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb4/RossLeggett/308groups_zpsca8af0f2.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [/QUOTE]
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Bullet comparator needed?
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