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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Reloading
Replicating factory ammo performance
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<blockquote data-quote="J-B welder" data-source="post: 2023340" data-attributes="member: 115997"><p>This is getting a little frustrating. Loaded up five more of the Sierra 85 gr HPBT load that grouped well at first and took them out to the shale pit and shot them. Set up a nice stable rest and took my time. Group was even bigger than the last five. First three rounds grouped at just under 0.5". Next five were 1.89" and this last five were 2.23". I've only re-loaded those cases twice, but since I'm only neck re-sizing, maybe the cases are getting stretched to the point that the volume has increased enough to affect pressure and therefore accuracy? The only other obvious thing I can think of is that maybe this gun is finicky about fouling. I've only put about 75 rounds through it since I broke it in, but everyone says your gun will tell you when it needs to be cleaned. So last night I cleaned it and we'll try another five rounds.</p><p></p><p>On a lighter note, you guys are going to think I'm a nut, but I built a press for the Lee reloader kit. Not a fancy machined aluminum press; if this thing was a middle school shop class project it probably would get a C-, and only that good because it actually functions as intended. I guess the closest it comes to is an O-style press. The two uprights are made of plywood, and the base and ram guides are made of oak. The ram is a piece of round stock that was a weight from the inside of a jump rope handle, and the lever is the traveler arm from an old mower deck. All stuff I had lying around in the garage. This set up is probably a little slower than using the hammer, but it lets me apply more even and consistent pressure at each step. My COAL variation has gone from 0.015" down to 0.004". Being the son of a mechanical engineer who was also something of a tightwad (and a Jack Benny fan, crkckr), I sometimes find it fun to make something instead of buy it.</p><p></p><p>But wait, there's more. My boss is a big-time reloader and shooter. Has been for years. But I work for government and I try to avoid talking about non-work stuff during office hours, so I haven't pestered him much with questions. I mentioned to him last week that I had tried a few loads with the Lee kit, and brought it in for him to see because he wasn't familiar with it. When he asked me if it was fun I responded that it seemed pretty cool. He said "buy a press." When I came into work today there was a three-die RCBS set sitting on my desk. I asked him what I owed him for them he said "Nothing. I don't have a .243 anymore." (I'm not at all surprised. This the same guy who drove two hours each way to attend my father's funeral last year, and he never even met the man.) So I guess I'll be checking the internet for a used press.</p><p></p><p>The gravitational pull of the rabbit hole is getting stronger.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="J-B welder, post: 2023340, member: 115997"] This is getting a little frustrating. Loaded up five more of the Sierra 85 gr HPBT load that grouped well at first and took them out to the shale pit and shot them. Set up a nice stable rest and took my time. Group was even bigger than the last five. First three rounds grouped at just under 0.5”. Next five were 1.89” and this last five were 2.23”. I’ve only re-loaded those cases twice, but since I’m only neck re-sizing, maybe the cases are getting stretched to the point that the volume has increased enough to affect pressure and therefore accuracy? The only other obvious thing I can think of is that maybe this gun is finicky about fouling. I’ve only put about 75 rounds through it since I broke it in, but everyone says your gun will tell you when it needs to be cleaned. So last night I cleaned it and we’ll try another five rounds. On a lighter note, you guys are going to think I’m a nut, but I built a press for the Lee reloader kit. Not a fancy machined aluminum press; if this thing was a middle school shop class project it probably would get a C-, and only that good because it actually functions as intended. I guess the closest it comes to is an O-style press. The two uprights are made of plywood, and the base and ram guides are made of oak. The ram is a piece of round stock that was a weight from the inside of a jump rope handle, and the lever is the traveler arm from an old mower deck. All stuff I had lying around in the garage. This set up is probably a little slower than using the hammer, but it lets me apply more even and consistent pressure at each step. My COAL variation has gone from 0.015” down to 0.004”. Being the son of a mechanical engineer who was also something of a tightwad (and a Jack Benny fan, crkckr), I sometimes find it fun to make something instead of buy it. But wait, there’s more. My boss is a big-time reloader and shooter. Has been for years. But I work for government and I try to avoid talking about non-work stuff during office hours, so I haven’t pestered him much with questions. I mentioned to him last week that I had tried a few loads with the Lee kit, and brought it in for him to see because he wasn’t familiar with it. When he asked me if it was fun I responded that it seemed pretty cool. He said “buy a press.” When I came into work today there was a three-die RCBS set sitting on my desk. I asked him what I owed him for them he said “Nothing. I don’t have a .243 anymore.” (I'm not at all surprised. This the same guy who drove two hours each way to attend my father's funeral last year, and he never even met the man.) So I guess I’ll be checking the internet for a used press. The gravitational pull of the rabbit hole is getting stronger. [/QUOTE]
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Replicating factory ammo performance
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