Right now I only load 223. Using 69 & 77 gr Sierra Matchking for target practice with a bolt-action.

Not in any competitions, just range fun.

I usually load 50 rounds at a time. As part of my brass prep, I’ve always used a primer pocket cleaning bit.

Is this actually doing anything purposeful other than making it look shiny?

After reading all the comments on the first post I decided to get a bottle of Flitz and and some bore mops. Chucked them up in a drill squirted probably too much Flitz on them and polished the dies up. Two minutes later of both body and neck polishing this is what I got. GREAT SUCCESS! Thanks fellow redditors!

I used a .27 cal and .38 cal mop for a 223 rem die btw.

For the past few years, we’ve had a number of requests to offer samples of some of the bullets we normally sell in bulk. Since we carry quite a few unique products and sell larger quantities to keep prices down, we know not everyone wants to commit to 1000 bullets before trying them.

We started with 21 different rifle bullet samples in 25-count packs. They’re easy to add to an existing order or order on their own if you just want to try a few. Tomorrow, we’re also planning to add some caliber-specific sampler packs with shipping included, such as a 22 cal sampler.

We’re open to suggestions. A lot of the products we’ve acquired or had developed for us started with customer feedback and requests, so let us know what you’d like to see in a future sample pack, and thanks for your support if you shop with us. See the first 21 samplers here

Do these red markings have any significance? Scooped up some brass and wasn’t sure. Sorry. Newb here. Thanks.

This is once fired Lapua 6.5 brass. Tumbled, annealed, resized using Hornady one shot case lube( first time using, as I typically use imperial die wax) . I did not tumble after resizing, so I’m leaning towards it being dried lube, but outside of that I’m at a loss. After being loaded they were stood upright in a plastic tray. The residue is dried on, can’t be scratched off with fingernail, but does come off with either polish or 0000 steel wool. Currently re creating everything that I did to try to reproduce it, but figured I’d post it here in the mean time.

223 20in fn barrel psa. All loaded to mag length lc brass cci 400 primer. Shot from lead sled with 30lbs of wieghts 100 yards small gusts of wind nothing more than 10mph shot in between gusts gun cooled after every shot. Shot with 10 round c products mag. Had much better luck with the swift scirocco 2 my first test with cfe223 26gr I had a 8in group i forgot to chamfer the case which shaved the bullet. Still 2-3in groups (my gun hates tac for some reason) but much better with other powders.

First to last

62gr trophy bonded bear claw

Cfe 223 26gr

Tac 25gr

Benchmark 24gr

H335 24gr

64gr trophy bonded bear claws

Cfe223 26gr

Tac 25gr

Benchmark 24gr

H335 24gr

62gr swift scirocco 2

Tac 25gr

24gr benchmark

H335 24gr.

2 shots 64gr soft points cfe223

62gr federal fusion cfe 223 26gr (pulled 2 shots birds kept flying in scope)

I know 4-5 shot groups aren't definitive of accuracy but i was limited on lc brass.

What a difference powder can make. Both targets using the same primers, bullets, brass. Both at the same MV; 1150fps +/- 20fps. Targets were both shot at the same session. There sure is a stark contrast between the two.

These are soft lead bullets, and this is somewhat higher than optimal velocity for them. I'll have to back off a bit and re-shoot. Will be interesting to see if there's a dramatic change in the titegroup results in particular.

So I just got my rcbs 6.5 duo set. I removed the decapping pin because I'm decapping and using a mandrel for ID in separate steps. I set up the FL die to just touch the shell holder as I'm going to use cortinas method for getting .002 shoulder bump. I have once fired Hornady brass that I'm going to practice with. The brass has been decapped and cleaned. Anyways. I gave my first case a coating of imperial sizing die, ran it up the die and it got to a point where I was using a lot of force and stopped because it didn't want to go any further. The picture is as far as I felt comfortable with. So what am I doing wrong here?? Thanks!

I have recently purchased a .455 webley revolver that was converted to .45 acp . I am concerned about the pressure differential so I am waiting to hand load some low pressure 45. I am having trouble finding a good place to start and was hoping for some of y’all’s recommendations

I have a friend who claims you should foul your barrel with about 5-10 rounds when testing ammo types. I already do this for rimfire, as the lubrication differences between manufacturers it makes sense. Does the same hold true for centerfire? Can bullet metallurgy and/or powder differences really change accuracy or POI?

I fully intend to test this at the range next time by alternating ammo types for 20-30 rounds each into a unique aiming point per load type, then repeat each ammo type in a new group after 10 fouling rounds.

Has anyone tested this themselves or is it more superstition?

New reloader here, thank you for all the information I’ve gotten from scrolling through here the past few weeks. I do have a few questions that I hope someone can assist with.

Resizing? I’ve read more times than I can count that often times you do not need to resize if you’re under max length spec. I’ve also read many times that you can go multiple reloads without trimming as well. I’ve missed anything stating that you may absolutely have to even with once fired brass. This is what I’m getting.

RCBS summit press
RCBS resizing die
Hornady once fired 6.5 Creed brass from ELDM factory ammo.

First number is before resizing, second is after

5 cases

1.918-1.926
1.915-1.921
1.918-1.924
1.918-1.925
1.913-1.921

I’ve done approximately 15 more with similar numbers across multiple adjustments of my die. I’ve gone from the lightest possible cam over through the maximum possible pull of the handle.

TLDR: Is it realistic to have to trim even once fired brass? How much brass should I be going through to get a proper adjustment of my die?

Appreciate any feedback.