223 cal. case prep.
Quote from Reloader on May 5, 2008, 4:04 amI would like to see your thoughts on case prep after retrieving .223 cal. once fired brass.
Example:
1. Inspect brass
2. Tumble brass
3. Swag if neccesary
4. Size/Decap brass
5. Trim brass
6. Resize brass
This is my current process which seems to be slow...Any help will be appreciated.
I would like to see your thoughts on case prep after retrieving .223 cal. once fired brass.
Example:
1. Inspect brass
2. Tumble brass
3. Swag if neccesary
4. Size/Decap brass
5. Trim brass
6. Resize brass
This is my current process which seems to be slow...Any help will be appreciated.
Quote from Reloader on May 6, 2008, 6:52 amYou got the steps a little off.
1. Inspect brass.
2. Tumble brass.
3. Size/Decap brass and/or just decap brass prior to swaging then resize.
4. Trim brass.
5. charge shells with powder.
6. seat bullet into charged shell and crimp.In my experience... and I single stage reload a lot more than progressive reload... is to perform all of these steps in stages. In other words, perform stages 1,2 and 3 on day one... perform stage 4 on day two... perform 5 and 6 on day three. If you perform these steps in stages (i.e. prepping all your brass for each stage) you will find that it will seem less time consuming. Well it will still be time consuming, but you will be breaking up that time into allotments. Keep in mind too... it's great if you have a whole bunch of prepped brass just sitting there ready for the charging and bullet seating steps later. Now I love my Dillon 550b, but sometimes for smaller batches and/or test loads, I prefer single stage reloading.
You got the steps a little off.
1. Inspect brass.
2. Tumble brass.
3. Size/Decap brass and/or just decap brass prior to swaging then resize.
4. Trim brass.
5. charge shells with powder.
6. seat bullet into charged shell and crimp.
In my experience... and I single stage reload a lot more than progressive reload... is to perform all of these steps in stages. In other words, perform stages 1,2 and 3 on day one... perform stage 4 on day two... perform 5 and 6 on day three. If you perform these steps in stages (i.e. prepping all your brass for each stage) you will find that it will seem less time consuming. Well it will still be time consuming, but you will be breaking up that time into allotments. Keep in mind too... it's great if you have a whole bunch of prepped brass just sitting there ready for the charging and bullet seating steps later. Now I love my Dillon 550b, but sometimes for smaller batches and/or test loads, I prefer single stage reloading.
Quote from Reloader on May 6, 2008, 7:16 amOh, I missed a step too. Between steps 4 and 5 of my list should include cleaning the primer pocket (which I do on rifle and usually not handgun) and repriming the brass.
Oh, I missed a step too. Between steps 4 and 5 of my list should include cleaning the primer pocket (which I do on rifle and usually not handgun) and repriming the brass.
Quote from Reloader on February 10, 2009, 5:52 pmYou may consider tumbling brass AFTER decapping... it helps in cleaning out the primer pocket and can also clear out media.
Another step I find helpful is to buy or fabricate a tool for cleaning the primer pocket. (NOT THE PRIMER HOLE) I filed down a small screw driver with a 1/4in blade. A couple of turns in the pocket got it 90% grit free. It makes installing primers quick and complete..and properly installed. Before I did this, i found about 30% of my primed brass less than perfect. Usually I take a case and place it upright on the table top. If it wobbles at all, I consider it not perfect. This can affect acccurancy and avoid firing when bolt is closed.
Well worth the extra time and effort.
You may consider tumbling brass AFTER decapping... it helps in cleaning out the primer pocket and can also clear out media.
Another step I find helpful is to buy or fabricate a tool for cleaning the primer pocket. (NOT THE PRIMER HOLE) I filed down a small screw driver with a 1/4in blade. A couple of turns in the pocket got it 90% grit free. It makes installing primers quick and complete..and properly installed. Before I did this, i found about 30% of my primed brass less than perfect. Usually I take a case and place it upright on the table top. If it wobbles at all, I consider it not perfect. This can affect acccurancy and avoid firing when bolt is closed.
Well worth the extra time and effort.