new unprimed vs. once fired brass

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redlaker1

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hello all

I have a question about new unprimed brass, as all the reloading I have done up to now was with factory loaded cases that I had shot already.

I shoot and reload alot of 300h&h which I have collected over the years every time I see a decent deal on factory ammo
recently I got a 270wsm and decided to go for some unprimed brass after I found a good deal on some at canadian tire. I have full length resized it, trimmed it to proper length, and chamfered and de-burred it, and then tumbled it clean. now that I am starting my load development, I just havent found a load that really worked great yet.

I notice that the fired brass has a slightly different shape and I want to know if using the new brass in my load development could be affecting accuracy, or consistency, and if I am wasting my time trying to develop loads on new brass?

thanks in advance
 
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The brass should be to SAAMI specs after full length sizing. I find I don't really completely size it resulting in a snug fit to your chamber.
 
red, your fired brass will be to the same specs are your chamber. A lot of reloaders will simply necksize their fired brass and reload which usually gives better accuracy as the brass doesn't change as much as new unfired brass. That being said I don't find much difference between fired and unfired brass in my rifles as most modern chambers are pretty close to SAAMI specs. I would say you wouldn't have to worry about any loads that you develop in your old brass.
 
sorry guys I kinda worded that last part weird.

I meant to say I am doing all my load development on the new brass... which I have never tried before. all reloading and load development I have ever done was on brass that had been fired at least once.

I was just wondering if the accuracy/consistency is affected when I am using brass that hasnt been fired yet.

should I load up a bunch with light loads and go out and shoot it? and then like dave said get serious with it after its been fired once
 
Maybe the fact that it's not fireformed to your gun will lower the accuracy, maybe it won't.


Is there really a point to FL sizing the new brass? If I get new brass, I'll toss an empty piece in the chamber, and if it slides in and chambers easily, and the brass length is ok, all I'll do is inside chamfer, prime and load. I tried neck sizing them but they are already perfect, in fact they are sticky on the mandrel of the collet die. (Although my experience is limited to Lapua 223 brass, and I haven't actually shot any of these loads yet.)
 
redlaker1 said:
sorry guys I kinda worded that last part weird.

I meant to say I am doing all my load development on the new brass... which I have never tried before. all reloading and load development I have ever done was on brass that had been fired at least once.

I was just wondering if the accuracy/consistency is affected when I am using brass that hasnt been fired yet.

should I load up a bunch with light loads and go out and shoot it? and then like dave said get serious with it after its been fired once
Click to expand...


It has in some guns of mine and not in others.
 
I have noticed a drop in accuracy using new brass for my 22/250. But once i fire them all off, they will only be necksized which tightens up the group nicely. As mentioned above use em up, then get serious with your developement.
 
so now that I look into it I dont have a neck sizing die, so I guess I should get one and try that out.
I have always just full length resized them because I didnt know any better.

is the rcbs neck die a good way to go? thats what my other dies are.

the more I get into this I am thinking its time to get some books and do some reading, I have always been pretty sure I was reloading safely and effectively, but now I am trying to squeeze even more accuracy and consistency out of my handloads I realize there is alot I have to learn
 
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What kind of rifle are you using and what are your reasonable accuracy expectations? If you're talking about a benchrest or F-Class type rifle, then you might notice a difference. Then again, you might not.

On a hunting rifle, don't worry about it. Just use brass from the same lot, if possible. If that's not possible, just try to stay with the same brass manufacturer for shooting groups. If THAT's not possible, try to stay with brass that is of the same weight, hardness and number of firings.

I've surprised myself by shooting excellent groups at 200 metres using mixed military brass in .30-06 before.
 
I am using winchester brass which I bought in seperate bags of 50. I have to resize it because it is pretty rough from the factory, mostly the necks.

the rifle is a savage 12FVSS 270wsm. I would like to get it inside an inch with hunting bullets. I dont think thats unreasonable
 
Red you can use your FL sizing die to neck size only. You simply screw the die up further in your press until it only sizes the neck and doesn't bump the shoulder. Very easy to do but you need work a couple of pieces of brass to get the right length.
 
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