I know this topic has been covered many times on this forum, but I wanted to go over it a bit here to look at my options, taking into account costs, powders I have on hand, and benefits/drawnacks of different methods.
I'm doing an AI 30-284. The virgin brass should headspace off the neck/shoulder junction with a 0.004 crush fit per Ackley's method. 284 already has a 35* shoulder and I'm going to 40* and blowing the shoulder walk out by a total of 0.010. so, there won't be a huge difference from straight 284... About 2.5-3gr.
Powders I have on hand
Trail boss
Aa5744
IMr 4227
Imr 4451
H4350
Bullets, I plan to shoot 175-200gr in the end, but local shops have 110-150gr bullets available pretty cheaply.
COW
It seems this would be the cheapest easy option and if using the lubing technique @phorwath mentioned in his FF thread, I should be able to get a full forming from 1 session and low pressure loads. With the crush fit, I may not have to lube to get a full form on 1 session.
Drawbacks
Don't get shooting practice
Messy
May not get consistent results for brass OAL change based on @Alex Wheeler post on accurate shooter forum.
Supposedly there can be some type of danger from caking or something inside the chamber or something? Not sure on this one.
I don't know if TB, 4227, or 5744 would be appropriate for COW.
Hydro die
Cheaper in the long run
Don't have to go to the range or elsewhere to FF
No wear on barrel
Drawbacks
I only use a Lee hand press for loading. Not sure if I could built a platform or something with my bench vise to mount the die.
Wouldn't be an exact match to chamber unless I send them my reamer or FF brass? Have them build it with lengthened shoulder dimension and then run it through my FL die?
Full pressure FF
Easy and get practice
With small change in case capacity, velocity might not be that far off so I could still have fun/hunt with them
Likely a full forming in 1 session?
Drawbacks
Reduce barrel life
Significantly increase costs long term
Lead FF rounds
Practice
Easy
Have suitable powders
Drawback
May not get full form on 1 session due to lower pressure?
May lead up barrel even with coated lead bullets
Costs
Thoughts? Especially would appreciate advice or experience with the faster powders I have.
I'm doing an AI 30-284. The virgin brass should headspace off the neck/shoulder junction with a 0.004 crush fit per Ackley's method. 284 already has a 35* shoulder and I'm going to 40* and blowing the shoulder walk out by a total of 0.010. so, there won't be a huge difference from straight 284... About 2.5-3gr.
Powders I have on hand
Trail boss
Aa5744
IMr 4227
Imr 4451
H4350
Bullets, I plan to shoot 175-200gr in the end, but local shops have 110-150gr bullets available pretty cheaply.
COW
It seems this would be the cheapest easy option and if using the lubing technique @phorwath mentioned in his FF thread, I should be able to get a full forming from 1 session and low pressure loads. With the crush fit, I may not have to lube to get a full form on 1 session.
Drawbacks
Don't get shooting practice
Messy
May not get consistent results for brass OAL change based on @Alex Wheeler post on accurate shooter forum.
Supposedly there can be some type of danger from caking or something inside the chamber or something? Not sure on this one.
I don't know if TB, 4227, or 5744 would be appropriate for COW.
Hydro die
Cheaper in the long run
Don't have to go to the range or elsewhere to FF
No wear on barrel
Drawbacks
I only use a Lee hand press for loading. Not sure if I could built a platform or something with my bench vise to mount the die.
Wouldn't be an exact match to chamber unless I send them my reamer or FF brass? Have them build it with lengthened shoulder dimension and then run it through my FL die?
Full pressure FF
Easy and get practice
With small change in case capacity, velocity might not be that far off so I could still have fun/hunt with them
Likely a full forming in 1 session?
Drawbacks
Reduce barrel life
Significantly increase costs long term
Lead FF rounds
Practice
Easy
Have suitable powders
Drawback
May not get full form on 1 session due to lower pressure?
May lead up barrel even with coated lead bullets
Costs
Thoughts? Especially would appreciate advice or experience with the faster powders I have.