Novice reloader advice

[Smitt0331]

I am a novice reloader. My current process is ultrasonic clean, dehydrator dry, trim brass, chamber and debur, fl resize and deprime, powder, and bullet seat. I have been reading and listening to podcast regarding neck/ shoulder bump and bushings. Is this a different die set that is needed? How do you determine which bushing to use for the neck? I currently use hornady brass but will likely be trying to transition some to peterson or adg on a new build.

I generally get what i believe to be decent results sub moa on 5 shot groups and SD’s floating between 8-14 depending on the caliber. Should i screw with anything further? I’m always down to improve. Primary use is for hunting and occasional target shooting but i’d like to do some local nrl hunter matches next year.

 

[Micmac]

Sounds like very good results.

What type of rifle?

 

[Smitt0331]

Sounds like very good results.

What type of rifle?

Factory Rem 700 action in 308 and a tikka in 300wsm.

 

[Forkasauras]

I trim after I resize.

 

[Smitt0331]

I trim after I resize.

Is that due to the stretching of the neck during resizing?

 

[43.6N]

I am a novice reloader. My current process is ultrasonic clean, dehydrator dry, trim brass, chamber and debur, fl resize and deprime, powder, and bullet seat. I have been reading and listening to podcast regarding neck/ shoulder bump and bushings. Is this a different die set that is needed? How do you determine which bushing to use for the neck? I currently use hornady brass but will likely be trying to transition some to peterson or adg on a new build.

I generally get what i believe to be decent results sub moa on 5 shot groups and SD’s floating between 8-14 depending on the caliber. Should i screw with anything further? I’m always down to improve. Primary use is for hunting and occasional target shooting but i’d like to do some local nrl hunter matches next year.

Purpose drives process.

You seem to be making good ammo. What more are you hoping to achieve with your proposed process changes?
Perhaps consider asking “what can I strip away from my current process and still maintain results I’m happy with?”

And as for bushing sizes: take a case of loaded ammo, and measure the neck with a bullet in it.
Select a bushing smaller than that number. How much smaller is a topic of much debate. You’d probably get decent results with the following:
-If only using a bushing (no mandrel or expander ball) select something 2 thou smaller than your measurement.
-if using an expanding mandrel or button, generally it’s the mandrel that brings the inner diameter up to 2 thou less than bullet diameter. So you under size the bushing according to the mandrel mfg recommendations (check out the short action customs calculator for their mandrel sizing die as one example)

These are just a different type of sizing die. They can still “full length” size and decap your brass.
The “bushing” is a collar that lets you constrict the outer diameter of your neck to whatever level you want.
You unscrew the die, slip in a little bushing ring with whatever diameter you’ve determined will give you the accuracy effect you’re after, and then reassemble your die.
Generally these are sold as individual dies. Your current seating die will still work. You would only be replacing the sizing die.

 

[Smitt0331]

Purpose drives process.

You seem to be making good ammo. What more are you hoping to achieve with your proposed process changes?
Perhaps consider asking “what can I strip away from my current process and still maintain results I’m happy with?”

And as for bushing sizes: take a case of loaded ammo, and measure the neck with a bullet in it.
Select a bushing smaller than that number. How much smaller is a topic of much debate. You’d probably get decent results with the following:
-If only using a bushing (no mandrel or expander ball) select something 2 thou smaller than your measurement.
-if using an expanding mandrel or button, generally it’s the mandrel that brings the inner diameter up to 2 thou less than bullet diameter. So you under size the bushing according to the mandrel mfg recommendations (check out the short action customs calculator for their mandrel sizing die as one example)

These are just a different type of sizing die. They can still “full length” size and decap your brass.
The “bushing” is a collar that lets you constrict the outer diameter of your neck to whatever level you want.
You unscrew the die, slip in a little bushing ring with whatever diameter you’ve determined will give you the accuracy effect you’re after, and then reassemble your die.
Generally these are sold as individual dies. Your current seating die will still work. You would only be replacing the sizing die.

I appreciate the breakdown. I guess i’m trying to refine my process or improve anything. Tips or tricks to further improve. Started with the neck bushings as i had never played with that process before. Started during covid and kind of just winged it to where i am now.

 

[43.6N]

I appreciate the breakdown. I guess i’m trying to refine my process or improve anything. Tips or tricks to further improve. Started with the neck bushings as i had never played with that process before. Started during covid and kind of just winged it to where i am now.

Man, I love reloading. I totally get your desire to constantly tinker and improve on your loads.

I think you’re at a point where the quality of your ammo is not likely to improve greatly with any changes you make.
So instead focus on gaining efficiency and production output, while maintaining that same level of quality.

 

[wind gypsy]

The primary benefit of bushing dies is not overworking brass. Overworking brass basically just work hardens it faster which leads to necks cracking sooner and a little less consistent neck tension.

Down side is they cost more, dont typically size the neck all the way to the shoulder junction, and reportedly are worse in relation to run out than standard FL sizing dies.

 

[Smitt0331]

Man, I love reloading. I totally get your desire to constantly tinker and improve on your loads.

I think you’re at a point where the quality of your ammo is not likely to improve greatly with any changes you make.
So instead focus on gaining efficiency and production output, while maintaining that same level of quality.

I am not currently running a bushing in my dies. I just use rcbs matchmaster for my rifles with how they came from the factory.