First time reloader

[gb123]

Delete

 

[Mark_Mark]

Just shot my first ever reloads, .223 using Winchester small rifle primers, 21.6 gr of H335, and 55gr solid copper projectiles (all I could get my hands on). My OAL bounced between 2.24 and 2.26 and I’m wondering if that could be because of the primers. When I got started I wasn’t seating primers properly because the pockets weren’t clean enough, now I’ve got them going in right but wondering if this could be the source of my OAL issue, I can’t imagine the seating die would be that inconsistent, any advice is appreciated I am a newbie.

.02 is not bad.

 

[Obturation]

Delete

 

[Bush Pilot]

The primer pockets were too dirty to seat the primers deep enough? I've never heard/seen that on once fired brass. The OAL discrepancy is within acceptable specs.

 

[bullseye308]

.02” isn’t enough to worry about. Sounds like you are off to a good start.

 

[Mark_Mark]

.02” isn’t enough to worry about. Sounds like you are off to a good start.

if I could get 0.02 I would fly a kit and have a bbq! that’s good reloads

 

[rfwobbly]

Welcome...

Delete

 

[mdi]

Couple of thoughts; .020" is a lot when it comes to OAL (twenty thousandths. suggest reloaders go to the 3rd digit after the decimal as .02" is not as accurate as .020"). Yep, high primers can mess up OAL measurements, BTDT. I had trouble seating primers once (combination of Wolf primers and a poor tool) and fought a variation for 3 or four hours before I discovered some primers were sticking out .004"...

 

[ballman6711]

I agree with the above. .02" and .020" are the same measurement but different where accuracy is concerned.

I usually have a coal variation of .003" or less using my single stage LNL press. No fancy dies, just Hornady or RCBS depending on the caliber being loaded.

And welcome to the forum!

chris

 

[Mark_Mark]

I agree with the above. .02" and .020" are the same measurement but different where accuracy is concerned.

I usually have a coal variation of .003" or less using my single stage LNL press. No fancy dies, just Hornady or RCBS depending on the caliber being loaded.

And welcome to the forum!

chris

ooooh... ok 0.020” is not that good. 0.002 is WAY acceptable.

OP.. check your crimp, possibly over crimping. Measure before and after crimping. there should not be any setback. If there is, you got over crimp issues