I have been reloading over 17 years and have collected over 30 sets of dies, 4 presses, casting equipment and enough supplies to overthrow a small country. I've reloaded for both rifle and pistols but now I have a rifle that has me stumped.
I use to have an Ackley Improved .223 Remington so I understand the reloading of improved cartridges. You can fire factory ammo in them to fireform the brass. Then you need to resize and trim cases after firing. Then you're good to go until you wear out the brass.
I've also read about tight-neck chambers but never actually owned one until now. You can't fire factory ammo because the neck is too tight. The neck thickness must be turned down to fit the chamber.
Now hear lies my problem... I have a rifle with an improved and tight-neck chamber.
I have thought about 2 ways to form the brass but I want to get someone else to weigh in on my thoughts.
Method 1
1) Using factory ammo remove the bullet and powder
2) Turn case necks to desired thickness
3) Load fast pistol powder with filler and fire
4) Resize and decap
5) Trim to length
Method 2
1) Using factory ammo remove the bullet and powder
2) Turn case necks to desired thickness
3) Load with normal starting powder load and bullet and fire
4) Resize and decap
5) Trim to length
In my mind the case neck must be turned for thickness before any fireforming happens? Is that true?
Thanks for any help!
Brandon
I use to have an Ackley Improved .223 Remington so I understand the reloading of improved cartridges. You can fire factory ammo in them to fireform the brass. Then you need to resize and trim cases after firing. Then you're good to go until you wear out the brass.
I've also read about tight-neck chambers but never actually owned one until now. You can't fire factory ammo because the neck is too tight. The neck thickness must be turned down to fit the chamber.
Now hear lies my problem... I have a rifle with an improved and tight-neck chamber.
I have thought about 2 ways to form the brass but I want to get someone else to weigh in on my thoughts.
Method 1
1) Using factory ammo remove the bullet and powder
2) Turn case necks to desired thickness
3) Load fast pistol powder with filler and fire
4) Resize and decap
5) Trim to length
Method 2
1) Using factory ammo remove the bullet and powder
2) Turn case necks to desired thickness
3) Load with normal starting powder load and bullet and fire
4) Resize and decap
5) Trim to length
In my mind the case neck must be turned for thickness before any fireforming happens? Is that true?
Thanks for any help!
Brandon
