I apologize if this type of thread has been done but I couldn't find anything. When I first started loading I often looked for this information but never came across anything definite. I found lots of great info on each of the loading processes but very little info on the order what to do first, second etc....
I have now been re-loading for about 10 months. I shoot mainly bench rest. I wanted to get some feedback to see if I am doing things in the proper order or missing any steps. So, if you have a suggestion or a better way please let me know. This may help people new to reloading.
1. In large batches I De-prime my brass with a universal de-primer
2. Once I have accumulated a few hundred, I clean my brass in a SS pin wet tumbler, (I think its called a Thumblers tumbler) and air dry
3. usually a few days or a week later... I separate my brass by manufacturer,
4. I take 20 or 30 (of the same brass) and I lube and resize I resize the full case (never have any good results neck sizing)
5. trim cases with a power drill and a lee trimmer,
6. clean primer pockets (even though they are typically very clean),
7. de-bur inside and outside edge of necks,
8. run a brush through the case to make sure no brass shavings are left.
9. I wipe all of the case off with a rag
10. insert primers with a hand primer tool
11. measure and insert powder and seat the bullets rotate and seat again
I usually load about 30 rounds or so at a time to shoot during the weekend so I don't mind extra time consuming tasks that make a difference.
Other than the tumbling, the whole process takes about an hour.
Am I missing anything or doing anything out of order? Also, now that some of my brass has been fired 5 or 6 times, I am looking into neck turning and annealing. My question is, where do these fit in the order. For example, Do I anneal before or after resizing? Do I trim or de-bur before or after neck turning? Also, how often do you neck turn (every time?) and how often do you anneal?
I would like to hear from some of the more experienced precision reloaders out there.
I have now been re-loading for about 10 months. I shoot mainly bench rest. I wanted to get some feedback to see if I am doing things in the proper order or missing any steps. So, if you have a suggestion or a better way please let me know. This may help people new to reloading.
1. In large batches I De-prime my brass with a universal de-primer
2. Once I have accumulated a few hundred, I clean my brass in a SS pin wet tumbler, (I think its called a Thumblers tumbler) and air dry
3. usually a few days or a week later... I separate my brass by manufacturer,
4. I take 20 or 30 (of the same brass) and I lube and resize I resize the full case (never have any good results neck sizing)
5. trim cases with a power drill and a lee trimmer,
6. clean primer pockets (even though they are typically very clean),
7. de-bur inside and outside edge of necks,
8. run a brush through the case to make sure no brass shavings are left.
9. I wipe all of the case off with a rag
10. insert primers with a hand primer tool
11. measure and insert powder and seat the bullets rotate and seat again
I usually load about 30 rounds or so at a time to shoot during the weekend so I don't mind extra time consuming tasks that make a difference.
Other than the tumbling, the whole process takes about an hour.
Am I missing anything or doing anything out of order? Also, now that some of my brass has been fired 5 or 6 times, I am looking into neck turning and annealing. My question is, where do these fit in the order. For example, Do I anneal before or after resizing? Do I trim or de-bur before or after neck turning? Also, how often do you neck turn (every time?) and how often do you anneal?
I would like to hear from some of the more experienced precision reloaders out there.
