Armory Sponsor
Posted: 5/18/2014 4:49:51 AM EDT
|
In an effort to see how accurate my friend's upper receiver with a WOA barrel is I loaded up a bunch of different ammo using varget and 77gr Noslers. The powder charges went from 23.4-24.6gr in .2gr increments. Unfortunately the results were less then stellar in his and my uppers. Which I knew there was a problem since my upper is near .5-.6moa with this combo.
So after sorting out my RCBS Chargemaster issues, I loaded up a few more and noticed something that I assumed could NOT happen. Using my single stage Lee press I can put a large amount of force onto the handle even once the mechanism contacts the press and it seems to seat the bullet a little more. But I assumed that consistent even pressure would always result in the same seating. That was until I realized the compressed loads were not allowing this. For example with the 24.4gr load of varget I could seat the bullet as far as the ram will go and get a oal of 2.28", then "seat" again and get a coal of 2.268" then one more time to get around 2.260". Which lead me to believe this is where my accuracy issues are occurring. So I have a Bullet Comparator coming from Amazon Prime to see what the real measurements are like, but anyone else run into this? |
|
When compressing loads it is not uncommon for the bullet to creep up a little during seating. Especially with your loads that are over Max.
With heavily compressing loads I seat them all,wait awhile then run them through one more time. I am also not convince that little variation in OAL is the reason your accuracy went to hell. |
| I certainly don't have any real experience with this just what I've read in the last day or two researching compressed loads as using AR-Comp my loads are compressed. One way to identify creep is to seat your bullet, measure and then let it sit for a day and remeasure. Some of the information I've come across recommends you lightly crimp for this very reason. |
|
may be the projectiles...
ive always wanted to try the noslers but was worried they wouldnt perform as well as the sierras. what kind of groups were you seeing? what kind of groups have you shot through the uppers in question? have you tried sierras? i dont have a drop tube, but shaking the cases and tapping them before loading does help lay the powder. I am impressed by the 3 foot drop tube above. |
|
Quoted:
I always use a "powder drop tube" with compressed loads... they really do help settle the bulky stick powders quite a bit . http://www.shootersforum.com/attachments/handloading-equipment/10527d1320785821-powder-measures-drop-tube.jpg And it sounds like you are going to need to crimp some. Good luck in your quest. ! Try taping the case on your bench top to settle the powder into the case, should give better compacting of the powder than a drop tube. |
|
Quoted:
Try taping the case on your bench top to settle the powder into the case, should give better compacting of the powder than a drop tube. Quoted:
Quoted:
I always use a "powder drop tube" with compressed loads... they really do help settle the bulky stick powders quite a bit . http://www.shootersforum.com/attachments/handloading-equipment/10527d1320785821-powder-measures-drop-tube.jpg And it sounds like you are going to need to crimp some. Good luck in your quest. ! Try taping the case on your bench top to settle the powder into the case, should give better compacting of the powder than a drop tube. This is what I do with Varget and 4007SSC. I also seat the bullets slowly when dealing with compressed loads. |
|
Quoted:
may be the projectiles... ive always wanted to try the noslers but was worried they wouldnt perform as well as the sierras. what kind of groups were you seeing? what kind of groups have you shot through the uppers in question? have you tried sierras? i dont have a drop tube, but shaking the cases and tapping them before loading does help lay the powder. I am impressed by the 3 foot drop tube above. This is the best I can get with Noslers... I called the 10th shot as I knew I pulled it the second the gun went off. Stil .7-.8moa with the flyer. Seeing my bullet holes really made me nervous to fuck up the group. This is with 24.0gr of varget, but the newer lots of Varget I have do not seem to like 24.0gr. 
|
|
Quoted:
A Lee dead length bullet seater die may help with the COL as the die contacts the shell holder on seating. If you think you have a press problem, instead of a compressed powder problem. The die does NOT crimp. I bet you I could do that with my Redding die, as it gets pretty close to begin with. |
|
Quoted:
I always use a "powder drop tube" with compressed loads... they really do help settle the bulky stick powders quite a bit . http://www.shootersforum.com/attachments/handloading-equipment/10527d1320785821-powder-measures-drop-tube.jpg And it sounds like you are going to need to crimp some. Good luck in your quest. ! What type of tube are you using, or are their actual "drop tubes" sold for reloading? |
|
Adapters:
http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-equipment/powder-handling/measure-stands-accessories/rcbs-powder-measure-drop-tube-adapter-prod34239.aspx http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-equipment/powder-handling/measure-stands-accessories/redding-drop-tube-adaptor-redding-stand--prod34383.aspx Tubes can be any length you need, but here are some samples: http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-equipment/powder-handling/powder-drop-tubes/sinclair-custom-drop-tubes-prod33706.aspx they will make this as long as you want. I have seen guys with really long drop tubes, but they have done their homework. I don't personally need one, so I have not been through the make or buy process. No doubt they do their job. |
Armory Sponsor