Painless load development (mine)

[Ishootgunssometimes]

I want to see someone do a test to see if it's possible to not trim at all through 5-7 reloads. That's about how many I get before trashing it.

Trim it super short, or short enough to not have to trim for 5 reloads. Does the POI change from that first load to last? If not... I'd 100% do it.

Then my process would be:
Lube 25 cases in a ziploc baggie
Size
Prime
Load with powder thrower
Wash lube off in tub of soapy water

I don't think it could get any faster than that unless I bought a progressive press to do the priming, powder, and bullet in one handle pull

I load for 7 saum and have put about 6-7 shots on my brass. I never trimmed it, only because I use the Little Crow Gunworks WFT2 trimmer and I only recently bought the appropriate insert for 7 saum.

Can’t say I’ve noticed anything going haywire with my loads other than ES and SD getting larger. My range goes to 500 yd so I can’t say I’ve really noticed anything off with my loads. But mentally I’d feel better if I knew my SD were consistent.

I don’t particularly have distain for any part of reloading.

 

[flyfisher117]

23.5gr of IMR 8208 loaded at 2.26” coal. I have yet to see a single Tikka (150+) that doesn’t shoot it well, nor any other good 223 that doesn’t shoot it well.

Awesome thanks. That’s about what I’m shooting with the SMK so that will be nice.

 

[Formidilosus]

I didn't know you could leave that stuff on after sizing. I will be getting some.

I throw them all on a towel after sizing, then just quick and touch wipe them all around with the towel- plenty is still left on.

I can't make it to 5 firings with my 243 brass without trimming. I think I generally start it 0.020 short of max. Perhaps I'll cut the virgin cases shorter and see.

Yeah, 243 is one that needs trimmed.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I didn't know you could leave that stuff on after sizing. I will be getting some.

I throw it all on a soft cloth and then stick a piece of paper towel or another soft cloth on top, then roll the loaded cartridges back and forth a few times.

 

[philcox]

I don’t own a trimmer or tumbler. Granted most of what I shoot enough to worry about trimming, are cases that don’t really stretch- but, I loose them by 5-6 firings anyways. I think the most reloads I have on brass right now is the 6XC and some of those are 6-8 firings.

So, do you just sample a portion of the Brass to see if at Max length, or you just know that you get about 5 if you start at min length. Reason I am asking, is it seems that my 65CM (RCBS FL Dies) I am 1.910 then after 1 resize I am mid, and after 2nd firing I am 1.92X and need to trim. Hence my confusion on this. Maybe my calipers are crap, or I am measuring wrong ... hmmmm

 

[philcox]

I don’t own a trimmer or tumbler. Granted most of what I shoot enough to worry about trimming, are cases that don’t really stretch- but, I loose them by 5-6 firings anyways. I think the most reloads I have on brass right now is the 6XC and some of those are 6-8 firings.

[mention]Formidilosus [/mention]are 223, 6CM, 6.5CM in the “cases that don’t really stretch” category? Do the resizing die have any material effect?


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[Bluumoon]

Haha. That’s been no issue with modern shaped cases. I am on 6-8 loadings of 250pcs of 6XC brass.





Or just spray with Hornady one shot, size and deprime, prime, dump powder, seat bullet.

I’m on my 3rd set of .223 sizing dies. I like to think I’m generous w the one shot…

Contemplating tumbling again.

 

[Bluumoon]

[mention]Formidilosus [/mention]are 223, 6CM, 6.5CM in the “cases that don’t really stretch” category? Do the resizing die have any material effect?


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In my limited experience Hornady 6CM brass falls into the category of needing trimmed after initial factory load is shot. My quality 6CM brass seems to be fine after a few reloads.

 

[Castle Rock]

Do the resizing die have any material effect?


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They have everything to do with case stretching, squeeze something thinner and it gets longer.

Dies that overwork the brass are more common than not, unfortunately.

 

[Formidilosus]

So, do you just sample a portion of the Brass to see if at Max length, or you just know that you get about 5 if you start at min length. Reason I am asking, is it seems that my 65CM (RCBS FL Dies) I am 1.910 then after 1 resize I am mid, and after 2nd firing I am 1.92X and need to trim. Hence my confusion on this. Maybe my calipers are crap, or I am measuring wrong ... hmmmm

Man, I just load em. When they get tight to chamber after sizing- I toss them. I probably average 4, maybe 5 reloads on brass before losing them anyways.

I just come at it from a different angle- I have no problem with Winchester, Starline, or even Hornady brass; so I don’t freak out over cases. Some brass- like 7mm STW is hard enough to find, that I’m sure I will have to trim.

 

[mtnbound]

So, do you just sample a portion of the Brass to see if at Max length, or you just know that you get about 5 if you start at min length. Reason I am asking, is it seems that my 65CM (RCBS FL Dies) I am 1.910 then after 1 resize I am mid, and after 2nd firing I am 1.92X and need to trim. Hence my confusion on this. Maybe my calipers are crap, or I am measuring wrong ... hmmmm

I don’t have a trimmer and I don’t check my brass length. I have no clue how many reloads I have on most of my cases especially in 223, when a case gets difficult to chamber, I pitch it.

 

[philcox]

… When they get tight to chamber after sizing- I toss them…

That was the nugget I was looking for! Thx


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[wind gypsy]

I didn't know you could leave that stuff on after sizing. I will be getting some.

I can't make it to 5 firings with my 243 brass without trimming. I think I generally start it 0.020 short of max. Perhaps I'll cut the virgin cases shorter and see.

I think 4x is what i get out of virgin lapua 223 cases that are never trimmed before they get above SAAMI max case length. Creedmoor or x47 cases seem like they could go a lot further.

 

[mtnbound]

I throw them all on a towel after sizing, then just quick and touch wipe them all around with the towel- plenty is still left on.




For me, Oneshot and doing the above has been the biggest time saver when it comes to reloading. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Chet707]

How many reloads are you guys getting out of 223 or 6arc brass? No trimming

I've loaded some pieces of 223 brass to 4 firings before trimming. For what it's worth, some of them were right at and some a little over book max for case length when I did trim them.

 

[Alpha Echo]

At the risk of being branded a "painful" reloader, are you guys getting 4-5 firings of 223 without annealing? (I'm assuming @Formidilosus's is "I never anneal")

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Or just spray with Hornady one shot, size and deprime, prime, dump powder, seat bullet.

This right here, and if they're getting really dirty or "greasy" I will dry tumble simply because it's easy. Throw brass in, let it tumble overnight, and they come out clean enough. Other times, I just roll them around like Q said above with an old shirt.

Trimming, like lots of other reloading "requirements", is up to the user. I don't trim unless I have a reason to re: they start to chamber rough. I did just measure a bunch of 2x and 3x fired 7-08 brass and most were past maximum spec. To be proactive I could certainly go through the effort of trimming all of them back to SAMMI. However, I hate brass prep, so instead, I'm going to chamber several and see if there are any issues. If not, they'll get loaded again.

My OCD tries to get the best of me a lot at the bench, and I do my best to force it back down. LOL!

 

[Alpha Echo]

I suffer from the same affliction

 

[Marbles]

At the risk of being branded a "painful" reloader, are you guys getting 4-5 firings of 223 without annealing? (I'm assuming @Formidilosus's is "I never anneal")

Easily. Around 6-9 is where Starline 5.56 brass starts splitting.

Winchester nickel coated splits on the 2nd to 4th reloading in my limited experience with 4 cases I had.

 

[wind gypsy]

At the risk of being branded a "painful" reloader, are you guys getting 4-5 firings of 223 without annealing? (I'm assuming @Formidilosus's is "I never anneal")

Yes. I hate annealing so ive been going at least 4x firings lately without annealing. This is in a bolt gun. I cant recall ever running into neck splitting issues with any cartridge but I typically use quality brass, try not to work it unnecessarily, and dont go over 5x firings without annealing.

Someone asked earlier in this thread about # of firings they get from 223 or 6 arc brass and IIRC they are shooting wiht an AR. I've not put a ton of firings on brass used in AR before but it's sure harder on brass than a bolt gun is so I wouldn't expect as good of results in that regard. Also, i'd bump shoulders more on brass intended for an AR so you're working the brass more.