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Posted: 8/13/2013 8:05:59 AM EDT
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Ive been shooting fairly consistent .5-.6 moa groups with my 338 lapua using all fl sized or new brass, but this past weekend I just neck sized the brass that has already been fired, and the first group out of the gate was .825" at 300 yards, almost cutting my average group size in half. I didnt shoot anymore after that but 5 rounds in the same spot was enough for me to be convinced.
Anyone else have the same experience with brass thats been formed to your chamber vs new or fl sized brass? |
| I neck size my 338 lapua (lapua brass) only for the first 3 or 4 firings and then try to barely knock the shoulder back with my Redding dies. The second and third firing are usually 50% better than the 1st. After 4 times, I have to bring the rubber mallet to open the bolt. |
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I neck size my 338 lapua (lapua brass) only for the first 3 or 4 firings and then try to barely knock the shoulder back with my Redding dies. The second and third firing are usually 50% better than the 1st. After 4 times, I have to bring the rubber mallet to open the bolt. Do you anneal after a few firings? How many firings have you been able to get? |
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I neck size my 338 lapua (lapua brass) only for the first 3 or 4 firings and then try to barely knock the shoulder back with my Redding dies. The second and third firing are usually 50% better than the 1st. After 4 times, I have to bring the rubber mallet to open the bolt. FPNI Neck size only if the bolt does not get too tight, when or if it does then start bumping the shoulder back a couple of thousands. I must admit shooting a 338 Lapua off a bench is Hard on the Shoulder after a half hour of shooting. I don't anneal till I start splitting necks. |
Shooting a 338 at 300 yards is a little Overkill. 
I wouldn't even light up one of those rounds inside of 800-1000 yards. 
I neck size for brass life and reduced runout. The lowest runout in the neck I've ever had has been with the Lee Collet neck sizer die. I'd guess it'd depend on the bullet some too. I fussy VLD is going to like any reduction in headspace/chamber slack... An SMK won't be so picky. 
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| The 338 LM maybe a whole' nother thing but if you just neck sized to case then you loaded the same amount of powder you will have lower velocities. The load will have a lower density. You might have to readjust your load somewhat. For a hunting load I neck size/ partial body size to help with "dirt and dust" problems. I get MUCH greater accuracy by neck sizing and greater velocity BECAUSE I add more powder to the case. YMMV. There is so much room in the 338LM I'm not sure if this would be relevant to you. |
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Im using a redding bushing neck sizer with a 365 bushing. I get around .002 neck tension I believe. Havent checked runout but visually its very low if not almost zero.
I dont want to run my 2.50/ea lapua brass till it starts splitting. Lake city 223 brass sure, but not the most expensive brass I own lol. Headspace seems to be a major factor in accuracy on this round as well. The closer I get to perfect 0.000 headspace where the bolt has just a tiny bit of resistance when it closes, the better it seems to shoot. Not so much of a factor with smaller rounds like the 223 or 308 for some reason, but an overly bumped shoulder on the 338lm makes for some fun velocity swings and vertical spread. Im shooting the 300gr scenars as they print the best out of all that I tried, and they are very insensitive to seating depth. 3.681" which is saami/cip length shoots perfect... no need to seat them right off the lands. |
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Im using a redding bushing neck sizer with a 365 bushing. I get around .002 neck tension I believe. Havent checked runout but visually its very low if not almost zero. I'll NEVER buy a bushing die again. They'll eventually give you the dreaded donut in your brass. Now if you're into neck turning, you can force the donut out and remove it, but why bother? They are too hit and miss with runout for me. Some people make them sing, but I never could get them consistent. And with the bushing sizing off the OD of the brass, you need a different bushing for different neck thickness brass. Total pain in the ass for me. The beauty of the Lee Collet neck die is that is sizes off a mandrel in the neck so thickness isn't a problem. |
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I'll NEVER buy a bushing die again. They'll eventually give you the dreaded donut in your brass. Now if you're into neck turning, you can force the donut out and remove it, but why bother? They are too hit and miss with runout for me. Some people make them sing, but I never could get them consistent. And with the bushing sizing off the OD of the brass, you need a different bushing for different neck thickness brass. Total pain in the ass for me. The beauty of the Lee Collet neck die is that is sizes off a mandrel in the neck so thickness isn't a problem. Quoted:
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Im using a redding bushing neck sizer with a 365 bushing. I get around .002 neck tension I believe. Havent checked runout but visually its very low if not almost zero. I'll NEVER buy a bushing die again. They'll eventually give you the dreaded donut in your brass. Now if you're into neck turning, you can force the donut out and remove it, but why bother? They are too hit and miss with runout for me. Some people make them sing, but I never could get them consistent. And with the bushing sizing off the OD of the brass, you need a different bushing for different neck thickness brass. Total pain in the ass for me. The beauty of the Lee Collet neck die is that is sizes off a mandrel in the neck so thickness isn't a problem. Hmm... I'll have to look into the collet neck sizing dies. I have the 338 lapua FL Lee dies, but not the neck die. |
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Hmm... I'll have to look into the collet neck sizing dies. I have the 338 lapua FL Lee dies, but not the neck die. Some guys have GREAT luck with them. I tried floating the bushing, tight bushing... nothing. The LEE is CHEAP too. Like 15 bucks... and no runout. You can turn down the mandrel for more neck tension if you want. But in any case it's a cheap die that you don't cry about if it doesn't work. I use them on .308, 7 mag, and 300 Win Mag all the time. They don't come off my bench ever.
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For bolt action rifles neck only sizing is the easiest and most effective way to increase accuracy. Concentric ammo or correcting non-concentric ammo is right up there too but not as easy to do as neck only sizing.
I have read many accuracy tests over the last 30 or so years and neck only sizing always improves group sizes over full length sized or new brass. |
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For bolt action rifles neck only sizing is the easiest and most effective way to increase accuracy. Concentric ammo or correcting non-concentric ammo is right up there too but not as easy to do as neck only sizing. The thing is... you're fired brass is perfectly concentric. Bushing neck sizing can introduce runout... which is passed on to the bullet. With a lee collet neck die. I get zero runout... or .001" at most. |
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