Just Getting into reloading my tikka t3 in 6.5 x 55 calibre.
Have been cleaning brass and practicing with the tools for case prep.
Had a go at seating a bullet in the case and the case appeared to shave a bit of copper from the bullet. Does this mean that I need to adjust my full length resizing die to make the case neck a bit more open or is what I have experienced normal??
Cheers
Stu
I have only been reloading 6 months but I have taken the time to study the subject in some depth and have achieved some really good results.
My 2p's worth.
1. Are the bullets boat tailed or flat base, if they are flat base you certainly need to give the inside neck a good sized chamfer. I use one of these >>>
http://www.kmshooting.com/catalog/c...rolled-depth-tapered-reamer_small_17-6mm.html
They give a good lead for the bullet into the neck of the case. You could get an RCBS chamfer tool which will chamfer the inside and outside of the neck but the K&M tool is better for the inside neck case for certain. Boat tailed bullets still need a chamfer to the inside neck case but the shape of the bullet helps to give a nice lead.
2. If you want good long range accuracy (over 300yds) case neck tension consistency is absolutely essential. If you check the ES and SD of your bullets over a chrono I suspect you will see some very high figures (Over 100) which is probably caused by tight neck tension and will give poor long range groupings.
3. If you shoot upto 200yds and are happy with 3" groups then I am sure you will be alright.
4. If the bullets are throwing up a burr when they are seated the bullet will no longer be round, symmetrical or balanced which will again affect the accuracy. They will leave the barrel and will struggle to stabilize and will not give good groups.
My advice to anyone reloading is to buy the very best dies you can afford. I have Redding competition dies which allow you to set an exact neck size which helps to give consistent bullet release.
The reason most of us reload isn't to save money, I would have to reload .243 bullets till I am 93 to cover the costs I have already shelled out. I reload for accuracy, when I started shooting center-fire rifles I used factory ammo and struggled to get 1" groups at 100yds, with home-loads I have ammo that produces sub 1" groups at 200yds. To get the good results you have to be really fussy. You are doing the right thing asking questions, I made a real nuisance of myself asking questions when I first started.