My thread on ‘Annealing Straight Walled’, began to veer from the original question. Since I want to travel both paths I made this thread.
Since beginning reloading 2-3 years ago, I’ve learned a good deal, mostly the basics. Now that I’ve loaded and shot, in the 600 count range of hand loads, I need to take further baby steps into more advanced loading. For this purpose, I want to take those steps in my 6.5 Creedmoor.
First I’ll note the 2 - 6.5s I load for, I am still trying to dial in which powder, bullet, etc., on both, however my son’s is throwing a 1” 10rd group at 100 yards. For this, I loaded Starline, IMR 4350, Berger 140 gr. VLDs. With mine, the closest I’ve gotten is only 2.5” - 5rd group, Starline, IMR 4350, 129 gr., Nosler AB LR. I’m holding no credit with mine, since this was my first time setting up a NIB scope. So our 2 setups are:
Mine - Savage 10T-SR, 24”, heavy barrel, 1:8 twist.
My son's - Savage Axis II, 22”, 1:8 twist.
As to taking the next step, I’m thinking about several things. Brass brand, COL, shoulder bump, chamber size, annealing/not annealing, powders, primers, ogive, etc.. That said, and the ultimate goal being max accuracy, fps, consistency, getting the most loads (safely) out of each case, and so forth, I have these initial questions:
1) To anneal or not? If so, how often? Also if I do anneal, I’ve seen nearly even numbers of ambient vs water cooling, as it affects the life of a case, thoughts?
2) Measuring, is there any measurement more important than another (Case length to shoulder, overall case length, COL)?
3) I’ve read thread after thread, page after page, that measuring an individual rifle’s chamber length (base to lands, base to shoulder) is crucial for accuracy and repeatability. Since I will only load for these 2 rifles, I’m understanding that it will greatly help in accuracy and consistency. Thoughts?
4) Neck sizing vs Full length, will one fill my needs better than the other? I have 2 sets of 6.5 dies, Hornady Custom 2-die and RCBS 2-die. Do I need/want a neck sizer?
I’m sure I’ll come up with more questions, but these are good answer/conversation/debate starters. I’m looking for as many ideas/opinions as possible, I’m sure by what I’ve read on other forums, there will be a wealth of good info here as well.
Since beginning reloading 2-3 years ago, I’ve learned a good deal, mostly the basics. Now that I’ve loaded and shot, in the 600 count range of hand loads, I need to take further baby steps into more advanced loading. For this purpose, I want to take those steps in my 6.5 Creedmoor.
First I’ll note the 2 - 6.5s I load for, I am still trying to dial in which powder, bullet, etc., on both, however my son’s is throwing a 1” 10rd group at 100 yards. For this, I loaded Starline, IMR 4350, Berger 140 gr. VLDs. With mine, the closest I’ve gotten is only 2.5” - 5rd group, Starline, IMR 4350, 129 gr., Nosler AB LR. I’m holding no credit with mine, since this was my first time setting up a NIB scope. So our 2 setups are:
Mine - Savage 10T-SR, 24”, heavy barrel, 1:8 twist.
My son's - Savage Axis II, 22”, 1:8 twist.
As to taking the next step, I’m thinking about several things. Brass brand, COL, shoulder bump, chamber size, annealing/not annealing, powders, primers, ogive, etc.. That said, and the ultimate goal being max accuracy, fps, consistency, getting the most loads (safely) out of each case, and so forth, I have these initial questions:
1) To anneal or not? If so, how often? Also if I do anneal, I’ve seen nearly even numbers of ambient vs water cooling, as it affects the life of a case, thoughts?
2) Measuring, is there any measurement more important than another (Case length to shoulder, overall case length, COL)?
3) I’ve read thread after thread, page after page, that measuring an individual rifle’s chamber length (base to lands, base to shoulder) is crucial for accuracy and repeatability. Since I will only load for these 2 rifles, I’m understanding that it will greatly help in accuracy and consistency. Thoughts?
4) Neck sizing vs Full length, will one fill my needs better than the other? I have 2 sets of 6.5 dies, Hornady Custom 2-die and RCBS 2-die. Do I need/want a neck sizer?
I’m sure I’ll come up with more questions, but these are good answer/conversation/debate starters. I’m looking for as many ideas/opinions as possible, I’m sure by what I’ve read on other forums, there will be a wealth of good info here as well.