Painless(ful?) Load Prep (Precursor to Painless Load Development)

[tstowater]

Just my opinion, there are generally three types of loaders:

1. Find a load that works for your needs (see Form's load development thread) and run with it.

2. Either the precision shooter or someone who wants to wring the absolute accuracy out of a load out of the satisfaction of doing it or too much time on their hands.

3. The loader who has hard to find or make brass and wants to preserve longevity of the brass.

Everyone of these loaders have different priorities with a lot of overlap and some distinct differences. All are correct for their intended purpose. I load a number of cartridges with commonly available brass and others that is hard to find. The brass prep and practices will vary depending on how expendable I think the brass is or isn't.

I load a bunch of 20VT based on Remington 221 Fireball brass which works well but is increasing difficult to find and needs babied to get lifespan out of it. On the other hand, the 223 is easy to find and relatively cheap, I will buy either new or once fired and have someone go through the prep process with a Dillon case processor. And, I have every type of brass in between.

 

[tstowater]

F'ing autocorrect. In 2 it is supposed to be wring, not wrong. Figured out how to correct.

 

[huntsd]

3) seat the bullet so the boatail is at the shoulder/neck junction of the case

Are you talking the shank or base? Or are you saying just make sure any portion of the boat tail is at neck shoulder junction

 

[elkfuler]

I've read through this thread. I just need a little more specific clarification on the shoulder bump. I've always just used the RCBS cam over directions but it seems that's not as correct as it could be based on what I'm reading. If I want to just bump my 243 brass 0.002 I need to do what? Do I just kiss the die to the shell holder without caming it over? The suggestion to set sizing die so cartridge chambers easy but adding a layer of scotch tape to the base makes it tight is something I can readily understand. I'll never own a headspace comparator.

 

[philcox]

Are you talking the shank or base? Or are you saying just make sure any portion of the boat tail is at neck shoulder junction

I personally want the whole BT below the neck, BUT in my DRT loads (and the factory 79 DRT) iirc the BT is in the lower portion of the neck (e.g., there is enough bearing surface).

 

[Harvey_NW]

I've read through this thread. I just need a little more specific clarification on the shoulder bump. I've always just used the RCBS cam over directions but it seems that's not as correct as it could be based on what I'm reading. If I want to just bump my 243 brass 0.002 I need to do what? Do I just kiss the die to the shell holder without caming it over? The suggestion to set sizing die so cartridge chambers easy but adding a layer of scotch tape to the base makes it tight is something I can readily understand. I'll never own a headspace comparator.

Because of tolerances that likely won't be a reliable way to get a specific setback, you'll just have to adjust the die and size a new piece of brass fireformed to your chamber until you get the result you want. After you're done setting the die, run all the pieces used for setup back through and load on.