Sinclair Int’l Experts: Precision Reloading Tips

March 22nd, 2022 Sinclair International’s Reloading Press blog featured a round-table discussion on reloading techniques. Sinclair’s tech staff were asked the question: “What do YOU consider to be the most important step in precision reloading?” Here are their responses, along with comments from our Editors:Phil Hoham: “I believe that when loading a load, you should not increase or decrease the powder charge. Avoid “suggested loads” that you see at the range or on the internet. Be sure to refer to a published reloading guide that includes not only minimums and maximums but pressure, velocity, and the proper range of powders. Focus on the task at hand and don’t get distracted. “AccurateShooter.com: Some loads presented on the Internet are OK as a starting point, but it is absolutely critical to understand that pressure maximums will vary considerably from one rifle to another (of the same chambering). One rifle that shoots 105gr bullets in 6mmBR can use 30.0 grains of Varget powder. A rifle with the same chamber dimensions and a different barrel could handle (and perform better) with half the powder. You will need to adjust the recommended loads to your rifle and barrel. This is crucial for safety and accuracy as well as accuracy. “AccurateShooter.com: If you’re shooting beyond 200 yards, it is critical to weigh your loads with an accurate scale or automated system such as the AutoTrickler V3/V4. Loads with uniform distribution (within a few kernels), will have a lower Extreme Spread or Standard Deviation. Even if you use the same powder, you may need to adjust your load a lot if you get a new powder lot. Shooters of.308 Palma have discovered that Varget loads may need to be adjusted by as much as a full grain depending on the Varget lot. Ron Dague: “I believe that the first case preparation is the most important step in reloading for accuracy. To ensure consistent primer seating, it is important to uniformly form the primer pocket. It is also important to deburr the flash holes in the same manner as the inside to clean up and chamfer it. This ensures that the primer ignites uniformly and flows in a consistent manner. This will ensure uniform powder ignition and tighten your velocity Extreme Spread. “AccurateShooter.com: With some brands of brass, primer pocket uniforming and flash-hole deburring is useful. It may not be necessary with the best Lapua and Norma brasses, or worse, it could be counter-productive. It is best to leave your Lapua brass flash holes unobstructed and within spec. This is especially true for small flash holes found in 220 Russian, 6BR and 6.5×47 cases. Most flash-hole reaming instruments on the market have cutting tools that vary in size due to manufacturing tolerances. We have found tools with a diameter of.0625. (1/16?) That actually made a hole of 0.068? hole. We are also wary of flash hole deburring tools that create an aggressive inside chamfer. It is difficult to control the amount chamfer accurately even with depth stops. You could have focused on making sure that all previous steps (case preparation, powder charge, etc.) were completed. Bullet seating is the final step in the process. It can make all the difference in terms of consistency. It is important to ensure that the bullet is seated at the same depth each time. This is also to ensure that the load is properly aligned. Rod agrees with Bob Blaine. Consistent bullet seating depth is the key to creating accurate hand loads. Both my bench rifle and long range rifles have shown me the results. It is the most important step in my book. “AccurateShooter.com: Agreed. After bullet seating, match ammunition is loaded. We check each loaded round for the base of the case to determine its length. If the round’s length varies by more that 3 thousandths, it is segregated and we attempt to re-seat it. With a comparator mounted on the jaws of our calipers, we measure the base of the case to the bullet ogive. To ensure that your case-base to ogive measurements (of loaded rounds) are within.003?, you may need to pre-sort your bullets.
Similar Posts:Tags: Brownells, Bullet Seating, Case Prep, Die Set-up, Primer Pocket, Reloading, Seating Dies, Sinclair Int’l, Sizing Dies