New cases, resize or good to go in 6.5mm

[charlieboy-shooter]

Hi,

This seems like a real daft question. As I would have thought that new cases should be good to go.

However, I resized some once fired Federal cases and measured neck internal dimmension of 2.610" ( new die and only have 13 x 1 onced cases)

I purchased 100 x Norma cases and the neck internal dimmension ranges from 2.590- 2.580". Based on the size for 6.5mm do the Norma cases need resizing or are they good to go ?? At what point does the bullet resize the case from a negative point of view.

I mainly reload once fired factory loads. My only other experience with new cases was Privi cases for my .308, which needed resizing. I partly put this down to being Privi or do all new cases regardless of brand still require resizing ??

Thanks

 

[deeangeo]

I only F/L resize brand new cases if they have dings/deformed case necks & regard new unfired brass as ‘out of spec’ for my rifles.
The real value of the brass comes into play after being once fired in my rifles, and accurate knowledge of the brass history.

 

[LeftHandGuy]

If I were you I would run them through my sizing die before loading them for the first time. Some manufacturers recommend doing so. Some make a great play of the fact that their brass is ready to go out of the box (Nosler brass is one of these, and possibly Lapua also?), but assuming that you will be using the same sizing die each time you load it, by not sizing the brass for the first loading you would be introducing an additional variable to your reloading process. In addition, whenever I've bought unfired brass (new PPU, new Hornady and pull-down Fed') some of the case necks have arrived sufficiently dented as to make resizing necessary in order to load them at all.

TBH you'd probably get away with not sizing that new brass, Norma brass is right up there with Lapua for reputed quality, but you've already proved that it is a different size than your die will size it to, so why begin a reloading process with an unnecessary variable in play?

 

[Steff]

…...
.....but you've already proved that it is a different size than your die will size it to, so why begin a reloading process with an unnecessary variable in play?

This (and dented case necks) would be the only valid reason to do so.

Otherwise you should consider the fact that new cases are just batches taken out of the production for factory ammo of the same manufacturers. So they ARE ready to go.

 

[Highlandsjohn]

Never had the need to resize with new Norma cases..

 

[deeangeo]

Never had the need to resize with new Norma cases..

+ 1

 

[malmick]

Popular question this morning here

Should be no need to resize, other than dings.

 

[Primate]

Personally I always full length size both new brass and after every firing. I want the brass to be as near as the same sizing as possible from the start of the load development process, to how it will end up being each time there after.
Cheers.

 

[Steff]

Personally I always full length size both new brass ...

I wonder how you do that. How do you get the expander ball through the case neck on the stroke down?

 

[deeangeo]

I wonder how you do that. How do you get the expander ball through the case neck on the stroke down?

Lube inside the case neck

 

[Steff]

Yeah, but still feels a bit unnatural, doesn't it.
I'd be concerned about unnecessarily working the brass and possibly clenching the shoulder.

 

[Primate]

I wonder how you do that. How do you get the expander ball through the case neck on the stroke down?

Just press the case through the die the same as you would normally, lubricate necks inside and out. Don't worry about the slight resistance. I've put plenty of .243 brass straight through a . 260 full length sizing die without issue.

 

[Primate]

Yeah, but still feels a bit unnatural, doesn't it.
I'd be concerned about unnecessarily working the brass and possibly clenching the shoulder.

I've been getting 10+ reloads out of Lapua brass that has been full length sized every load and never annealled. I discard them when the necks split. In terms of over working the brass, I think the important thing is to make sure your die is set up correctly. I'm only knocking the shoulder back a thou each time.

 

[Orion]

Personally I always full length size both new brass and after every firing. I want the brass to be as near as the same sizing as possible from the start of the load development process, to how it will end up being each time there after.

Same here to achieve consistency throughout the reloading process from reload to reload, which I feel is one of the most important aims. I also FL resize and use a Lee Factory Crimp Die on everything from 22-250 to 9.3x62.

 

[paul o']

I FL all new brass , I use a vld cutter to make them ready for VLD bullets , then I run a flash hole cutter and cut as needed aswell as the primer pocket . even Nosler so called custom brass was't fully prepped to a match standard then again I do have a bit of OCD

 

[Steff]

... I use a vld cutter to make them ready for VLD bullets , ....

Something I have never understood. Especially VLD bullets have a very pronounced boattail which makes seating them very relaxed. Why would one need a special shallow angled chamfer for this?

 

[paul o']

Even new brass may have an uneven or rough mouth so I after i'v sized i then chamfer so I don't push bullets over uneven necks , Most of the time its load development so I wish to get them perfect from the first round , As said this what I do others can play rock music while there reloading or reload while sitting in the window without any clothes on its up to you .

 

[charlieboy-shooter]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your replies.

They have given me the valid points I required to make my decision and the thought that if I had the time it may be of Interest to develop a load with resized and as they come cases to see if there is much difference. Probably from my point, as only being used for hunting the variability in all likely-hood would be irrelevant in the field.

As I have not developed a load for this calibre yet and I think the point raise by LeftHandGuy, is a very valid one.

'you've already proved that it is a different size than your die will size it to, so why begin a reloading process with an unnecessary variable in play?'
So to be consistent as I can be and considering all the effort involved In delevoping a load the extra task of FL resizing is relatively small so I will be resizing all the cases.
I guess I'll never know how much of a variability there will be between the two scenario's unless someone has already tried or does so in the future.
Thanks

 

[Steff]

Paul,
I wasn‘t questioning the procedure as such. I was referring to why there are special VLD cutters.

 

[Primate]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your replies.

They have given me the valid points I required to make my decision and the thought that if I had the time it may be of Interest to develop a load with resized and as they come cases to see if there is much difference. Probably from my point, as only being used for hunting the variability in all likely-hood would be irrelevant in the field.

As I have not developed a load for this calibre yet and I think the point raise by LeftHandGuy, is a very valid one.

'you've already proved that it is a different size than your die will size it to, so why begin a reloading process with an unnecessary variable in play?'
So to be consistent as I can be and considering all the effort involved In delevoping a load the extra task of FL resizing is relatively small so I will be resizing all the cases.
I guess I'll never know how much of a variability there will be between the two scenario's unless someone has already tried or does so in the future.
Thanks

The only thing I don't do on new brass, that I would do after firing is clean the primer pocket. My standard process after firing is to fl size, de burring the flash holes, clean the primer pocket and to trim and chamfuer. Follow this and you'll not go far wrong. Some reloaders crimp too. I've never needed to do this but can fully understand why some do, and wouldn't rule out from doing so myself in future should I think it were necessary. However one process I firmly believe to be totally unnecessary and not conducive in any way to accuracy is to clean or tumble.
Good luck in your venture