I am Impressed

A

Andrewe

CGN Regular
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Location
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Last week I bought the Lee anniversary reloading kit to start reloading for my .223 and .243. The results were impressive.

Browing A-bolt Micro Medallion (.243)
Sierra 85 gr. HPBT, loaded 44, 45 and 46 gr. IMR 4381

I only loaded a dozen of each but found that my groups were much smaller. As a matter of fact My 200 yard groups matched my 100 yard groups using factory ammo and this was on a fairly gusty day.

One thing that really got me going was that once I got the scope sighted on the paper I was 4" low and 1.5" right. I dialled in the correct figures on the scope and my next shot was a perfect bullseye. A first for me.

One thing that is driving me nuts. Every manual I check lists very different minimum and maximum loads using the same powder and bullet weight. In one case a manual listed a maximum load that was less than another's minimum. Weird.

In any case, can anyone recommend some reloading specific sites? I'd like to keep reading and learning.

One more thing. Using RCBS dies I set them in the press about a dime's height above the shell holder. The guy at the hunting shop told me this was the method to neck size (my once fired brass) only. Is this correct? Should I be fell length sizing or making other adjustements? The cartridges I reloaded felt a little tighter when chambering compared to the factory loads. I assumed this was because of the fireformed brass.

Thanks.
 
One thing that is driving me nuts. Every manual I check lists very different minimum and maximum loads using the same powder and bullet weight. In one case a manual listed a maximum load that was less than another's minimum. Weird.
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Hi Andrew,

That is frustrating isn't it? What I usually do is check as many manuals as I can. Usually there is one that is way out compared to the rest. I think that is due to the particular lot of powder and the particular gun used to create that data, and of course, to a lesser degree, the brass used and primers. Usually, for me, If one source is way out to lunch, I will use the starting load from the other sources. But you can never have to many references. Note: Powders change slightly as time goes on, newer manuals with newer data reflect that.

Most of the component manufacturers have data on line, of one sort or another.

One more thing. Using RCBS dies I set them in the press about a dime's height above the shell holder. The guy at the hunting shop told me this was the method to neck size (my once fired brass) only. Is this correct? Should I be fell length sizing or making other adjustements? The cartridges I reloaded felt a little tighter when chambering compared to the factory loads. I assumed this was because of the fireformed brass.
Click to expand...

That is correct, full length resizing is when the size die just touches the shellplate. There is nothing wrong with what you are doing, your brass will last longer the way you have it set up. If chambering a round is a little tighter than you would like, just screw the die down another 1/16 -1/8 turn. Go ahead, play. You can always chamber your resized brass as a test before you reload it.

Hope I was some help,

Joe
 
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