Lee (open to others also) reloaders please assist?

[bladeracer]

I can't say definitively they were from the one rifle, it was an online purchase, and the seller just said the rounds went through an AR-15 so it might not have even been military...

Guess I'm good to go and just FLS them all, then weight batch them for refilling. Gives me a chance to get the press set up and the cases ready while waiting for the rifle to arrive.

If they went through a civilian AR15 then most likely a contract shooter using commercial brass.

Don't bother weight batching brass, complete waste of effort. The only way to have consistent volume is to measure their volume. If you are shooting 1000m competitions you may want to, otherwise don't bother. Lots of people don't even bother ensuring their brass is all the same brand.

I would wait until you have the rifle before sizing your brass, unless you're happy to build them to factory spec. To ensure they'll work in your rifle you basically have to size them down to the minimum specs if you don't have the rifle to work with.

[PoorShot300]

It's the old "are we there yet?" conundrum...in a hurry 'slowly'...guess I should wait and see if they chamber OK, save myself some work that may not be required. Saying that though, if they have been through various rifles, and I DON'T FLS them, I won't know where the true accuracy lays, or which is the better recipe...at least FLS will put them on a semi even keel other than volume.

A bigger problem is where I will be able to set it all up...real estate is a rare thing around here...rofl.

[bladeracer]

It's the old "are we there yet?" conundrum...in a hurry 'slowly'...guess I should wait and see if they chamber OK, save myself some work that may not be required. Saying that though, if they have been through various rifles, and I DON'T FLS them, I won't know where the true accuracy lays, or which is the better recipe...at least FLS will put them on a semi even keel other than volume.

A bigger problem is where I will be able to set it all up...real estate is a rare thing around here...rofl.

Not really. You'll be in the same position as somebody who buys factory ammo, or new brass, and then reloads the fire-formed brass. Some people prefer to FLS every time just so their brass is as consistent as possible for every shot. I prefer to neck-size only once I've fire-formed them to my chambers.

I've found that FLSing gives higher velocities due to the reduced case volume, but you need to trim the brass more regularly than neck-sizing.

[PoorShot300]

Thinking I'll FLS them first, then reform in my chamber and use the results from the second firing (3rd actually) to determine my load recipe and just neck size till chambering/loading gets difficult.

Have to get a few more brands/weights of projies & powder to really test it out though.

Looks like I found out why the poor service at my LGS...it's up for sale if anyone's interested?

[bladeracer]

Thinking I'll FLS them first, then reform in my chamber and use the results from the second firing (3rd actually) to determine my load recipe and just neck size till chambering/loading gets difficult.

Have to get a few more brands/weights of projies & powder to really test it out though.

Looks like I found out why the poor service at my LGS...it's up for sale if anyone's interested?

I've got heaps of different bullets and powders for every caliber I shoot, I love experimenting. I particularly like the 80gn ELDM in my Ruger American.

No money in it. My dealer closed shop in September, had a "50% off everything in store" sale and now he's out in the sunshine earning money and happy as Larry.

[PoorShot300]

My LGS had a niche they were/are filling... "reloads". They have stock and I've never been there without there being other's in store (and buying), I guess he's just lookin to shoot more & work less, like I said, I'd put him at mid 60's, his wife seems late 50's at a guess. Don't imagine he does much smithy work though...

Your Ruger's 1:8 or 1:9 to handle those 80gn pills?

[bladeracer]

My LGS had a niche they were/are filling... "reloads". They have stock and I've never been there without there being other's in store (and buying), I guess he's just lookin to shoot more & work less, like I said, I'd put him at mid 60's, his wife seems late 50's at a guess. Don't imagine he does much smithy work though...

Your Ruger's 1:8 or 1:9 to handle those 80gn pills?

Ruger Americans are 8"-twist in .223Rem.

I hate the "1:8" nomenclature
To me, 1:8 reads as one twist in eight twists, or one-inch in eight-inches.

[PoorShot300]

I know right? Like with like and all.
Well, that's it for me today, got's to hit the books now and see if i can learn something new...