What reload workflow steps have you stopped doing?

[OutdoorAg]

It seems to be common (for most of us) to start with a basic reload set up, then add gear and steps and complexity to our workflow from shot brass to loaded round.

I think it’s also common for guys to eventually start looking at each step and asking: Is this making me better ammo or is it “reload voodoo”/extraneous.

So I’m interested to know: What steps in your workflow have you stopped doing over time?

For me:

1) I no longer mess with primer pockets. Unless there is a primer seating problem, I pay them zero attention

2) Caliper on every load. This likely comes from having a better process and better dies, but I now only check every 10 or so.

 

[fightthenoise]

Trimming, kinda. I still trim when I have to but started measuring the chambers with the Sinclair tool and only trimming when the brass is flirting with being too long. None of that 10 thou under SAAMI mess

Never bothered with primer pockets outside of removing a crimp

I don’t mic finished rounds, just the first one then go to town. I do chamber check all rounds before a hunt though.

Weight sorting brass

I don’t even measure powder anymore just kinda eyeball it.

Ha. JK on that one

 

[Don Qui Puncher]

I stopped using the expander mandrel and haven’t noticed any difference,

 

[sneaky]

Trimming, kinda. I still trim when I have to but started measuring the chambers with the Sinclair tool and only trimming when the brass is flirting with being too long. None of that 10 thou under SAAMI mess

Never bothered with primer pockets outside of removing a crimp

I don’t mic finished rounds, just the first one then go to town. I do chamber check all rounds before a hunt though.

Weight sorting brass

I don’t even measure powder anymore just kinda eyeball it.

Ha. JK on that one

I thought you were just supposed to fill the case up with powder then seat your bullet. You mean you're supposed to weigh it? Lol

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[OutdoorAg]

I stopped using the expander mandrel and haven’t noticed any difference,

Do you use a stand alone neck mandrel to achieve a certain tension? Or just rock with what your die produces.

 

[Don Qui Puncher]

Do you use a stand alone neck mandrel to achieve a certain tension? Or just rock with what your die produces.

I was using the mandrel after sizing with bushing and standard dies but it was just one more step, I forgot to do it one day and compared vs the ones I did and didn’t lose any accuracy. I haven’t seen any changes from just under .001 to .003 neck tension, now I just roll with whatever the standard dies produce, my bushing die produces .0015 if I remember correctly

 

[wind gypsy]

I don’t bother with primer pockets or flash holes. Try to stick to Norma, ADG, and Lapua brass and trust they are good enough.

I don’t remember the last time I measured runout either.

 

[Rich M]

I have not trimmed a case yet, never cleaned brass, don't worry about primer pockets, stopped measuring every bullet or powder charge, stopped sorting brass by weight, never did the water volume thing, etc.

Y'know what - I'm getting better groups and more consistent velocities by "just doing it". Had been nickel & diming myself to death on the details.

 

[MallardSX2]

I dont skip any of the steps. I enjoy and hate them all equally. lol

 

[Northernpiker]

I quit putting powder, primers and bullets in my brass...I can't buy em anymore. I guess it doesn't matter though, I won't be able to own a gun soon!!!

 

[Mosby]

I stopped neck turning and using a concentricity gauge. I just haven't seen enough of a difference in accuracy in my rifles to spend the time.

 

[OutdoorAg]

I have not trimmed a case yet, never cleaned brass, don't worry about primer pockets, stopped measuring every bullet or powder charge, stopped sorting brass by weight, never did the water volume thing, etc.

Y'know what - I'm getting better groups and more consistent velocities by "just doing it". Had been nickel & diming myself to death on the details.

Annealing?

 

[WCS]

Still pretty OCD about most things I do, but sold my concentricity gauge as it just didn't show much of a difference.

 

[JakeSCH]

my concentricity gauge does not get used anymore.

 

[Underandoverit]

HBN bullet coating and neck turning.....

 

[OutdoorAg]

Seems like, so far, the overall consensus is that paying attention to necks and concentricity has gone the way of the .270

 

[fightthenoise]

Listen to episode 14 of Modern Day Sniper. They talk to Scott Satterlee about reloading and he very much has the attitude of doing only what has a tangible benefit and bagging the rest. He’s one of the most prolific dudes on the PRS circuit and he loads all his ammo on a Hornady progressive using regular Hornady dies

 

[hereinaz]

Most of reloading religion of olden lore is no better than voodoo...

I decap and size, wipe lube and mandrel size the necks.

Prime, dump powder and press the bullets into the case.

Brass quality, accurate powder dumps, quality dies, match grade bullets and consistent necks are far more important than anything else.

I anneal and trim as needed, but I run cases that don't grow as a result of design.

 

[Rich M]

Annealing?

No - Don't understand a lot of what goes on but just "keep on keeping on" with the brass and loads.

Have 3006 cases that I've shot 10+ times and they aren't getting any longer (do measure them every now and again - maybe a couple have grown 0.001). 2900 fps 150 gr Sierra bullets W760 powder - used to use 4350 but 760 has worked just as good. Using factory brass I purchased loaded and stuff my dad had forever. Note that these loads do not shoot in 1 bullet hole but they will shoot an inch at 250 yards. Dad figured out the load a while back and I just run with it. Great setup.

Doing the same thing with 243 w 100 gr at 3050 fps.

 

[Dmeis]

I quit chamfering mouths after the first reload. I'm not convinced the brass changes that much after firing.