Best way to fire form new 6.8 SPC brass to A-30.

[GLSHOOTER]

Mar 9, 2015 5:34:49 GMT -8 cpct said:

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but the way I read this is:

1. Use the supplied gauge to initially set your die.

2. Size a few cases and trim to minimum.

3  Use a length gauge or split case method to get your land measurement.

4. Use a mild load and fire the sized cases.

5. Use the fired cases to make your final die adjustment.

6. Size the rest of your brass and get your load development started.

I'm not new to reloading, but this one is getting a little complicated. My 6x45 development was easy compared to what I'm reading here.

Did I miss something in my steps?

That is the way to go. All you have done different than normal is add the luxury of the gauge to the process and a bit of trimming. The maeausuringto the lands should be done in any chamber no matter where it comes from.

I used my chamber as my set up gauge and it took me maybe five minutes to get it right.

Greg

[mosigdude]

From earlier posts the only change you might consider is trim to maximum length instead of minimum on the first firing. Several have indicated the cases will shrink slightly as the shoulder fills out after the first firing. Trim to minimum on subsequent firings.

[GLSHOOTER]

I trim to 1.620 on new cases. I have some with five firings that haven't need trimming yet.

Greg

[geepee3]

I did a little experiment to check on my issue with new brass.
My thinking is I have the bullets seated to deep or using long tapered bullets that will not contact the lands. 
Stripped the bolt, and in the carrier. Let the cartridge be seated by the action.
Pull back the bolt and leave the cartridge remaining in the chamber. 
Using folded aluminum foil as shims seated on the bolt face, hand close the bolt fully.
With new SSA brass loaded with Lapua 123 gr. bullet. I could freely close the bolt with a shim measuring 0.009".
And with new Federal and Remington brass using bullets with a long taper IE, Nosler 125 gr. Ballistic tip and Barnes 130 gr. TSX. I can get a 0.012" shim in and freely close the bolt.
So on the first firing, I will not be using any long tapered bullets.
And my other loads I seated the bullets to deeply causing excessive headspace when the cartridge seats in the chamber. ... my mistake.

My question to the BHW staff;
With bullets I can touch the lands at magazine length. should I set them .004" below contact length to keep from getting the stamping issues I am having with excessive headspace?

Glenn   

[GLSHOOTER]

Overall lenght of seated bullets has absolutely nothing to do with headspace. That's set by shoulder height. I usually start about 0.005 off the lands. You can seat into the lands and blow those shoulders out where they belong. A guy probably shouldn't load more than half a dozen to start with. I load exactly three rounds on new barrels. That gives me one for my Sinclair gauge and two to set up my dies for final sizing.

Greg

[geepee3]

The shoulders on the new brass will not pull up to what is needed to headspace properly causing the cartridge to go too far forward.
I am trying to resolve that problem.  The only way to do it is by controlling seating depth of the bullet in relationship to the lands.
So I will seat the bullets 0.005" from the land and give that a try.

Thanks.
Glenn

 

[GLSHOOTER]

They should blow out fine. Did you size all the brass you have? Get some 110 Sierra HP' s and you can jam the lands easily at far less than magazine length.

Greg

[geepee3]

Mar 10, 2015 20:16:18 GMT -8 GLSHOOTER said:

They should blow out fine. Did you size all the brass you have?

Greg

No, just started with a controlled group.
Wanted to get things figured out before I go hog wild.
Definitely a learning experience.

Thanks you.
Glenn

[geepee3]

Mar 10, 2015 20:16:18 GMT -8 GLSHOOTER said:

Get some 110 Sierra HP' s and you can jam the lands easily at far less than magazine length.

Greg

I do have some of those.
The Nosler 110 gr. Varmageddon and Lapua 123 gr. FMJ that I have both will contact the lands at under magazine length.
Unfortunately it will be a few weeks before I can get out again and test them.

Thank you again Greg.
Glenn

[geepee3]

I was finally able to get out and shoot yesterday.
Nice sunny day in the low 70's.
Only shot 15 rounds of A-30 to see if bringing the bullet closer to the lands would help.
I'm happy to say it did.    I set the bullets about .005" off the lands.
I did not chrony anything this time. I use Remington and the Federal pulled cases. Reloader 7 powder and Nosler 110 gr. Varmageddon bullets.

Of course I needed to shoot more than 15 rounds if I was going to the range.
I needed to sight in my BHW 18" 6x45mm since I was using the Leupold scope on the A-30.
So, I had picked up a set of HK416 diopter sights when I assembled the rifle last year but never used them.
And here is the set up now.
 


Here is how she grouped at 50 yards with 54 year old eyes.


Six round group. Five are .78" with one sacrificed up to the shooting Gods. Need to take her out to 100 yards next.
All in all a good day.

Thanks again for every ones help.
Glenn

[cpct]

Nice grouping Glenn!!!

Ok...got most of this down except one last question.........

After firing a few to get a final die adjustment, should I blacken the case neck as I bring the die down to make sure I'm setting the die set correctly? This makes sense to me, but maybe there's a better way.

[Deleted]

Apr 10, 2015 5:15:18 GMT -8 cpct said:

Nice grouping Glenn!!!

Ok...got most of this down except one last question.........

After firing a few to get a final die adjustment, should I blacken the case neck as I bring the die down to make sure I'm setting the die set correctly? This makes sense to me, but maybe there's a better way.

The best way, is simply measure it. Use a Hornady head space comparator #350. Using the blacking method you won't be able to tell how far you are moving the shoulder back.
I like to set the shoulder back .004-.005 from what a fired case measures. If you over size, you could have premature case failure. I use this same method for all of my rifles regardless of the caliber.

[geepee3]

Apr 10, 2015 5:15:18 GMT -8 cpct said:

Nice grouping Glenn!!!

Ok...got most of this down except one last question.........

After firing a few to get a final die adjustment, should I blacken the case neck as I bring the die down to make sure I'm setting the die set correctly? This makes sense to me, but maybe there's a better way.

Thank you Sir.

As to final die adjustments;
Mr. R. Johnson and Greg's advice should be heeded here.
If you need to, please re-read this thread and Greg's thread on "What it takes to get started".  
I have no Issue in exposing the mistakes I made so others don't repeat them.
With new 6.8 SPC brass, It is best to use bullets that can touch the lands at magazine length. I then set them about .005" shorter to keep from getting the stamping.
For once fired brass. Your rifles chamber and a stripped bolt still in the carrier should give you the measurement you need. Just size the case down to where the bolt closes and with the Hornady headspace gauge set the shoulder back to your desired length. I like to set my brass about .004" below actual chamber headspace.
As I found out, a case is quite different than a headspace gauge. I got a false readings (short) using the bolt only and twisting by hand on the case in the chamber. With the bolt and carrier it worked out fine.
I hope this helps.

Glenn

[cpct]

Thanks for the great advice and help. I still have a wait for the barrel to arrive and I'm just getting anxious to start this project!! Any other suggestions are GREATLY appreciated.