New brass for best accuracy

[onegoodshot]

Stan suggested I post this to the forum for member feedback. I'm working with a 32-20 trying to chase the most accurate load in it for my gun. With my xp-100s and contenders I never did any serious accuracy work with new brass. I always want it to be fired in my chamber and then just neck size or slightly give the shoulder a bump for the best accuracy.

We got in a discussion about how using virgin brass might give me better accuracy with the 32-20. The chambers are so tight in the FA, I'm able to lower the stem and decap without doing a full length resize (RCBS). Flare the mouth a little and crimp with a Lee crimper die and I'm gtg.

[subsonic]

Try it.

I can't tell you in your specific circumstances, but I would suggest at least sizing the neck for good bullet pull if you are using slow powders.

[curmudgeon]

The main reason for using new brass is that you are more likely to get a good uniform crimp. Every time you roll a heavy crimp and fire, you work harden the brass. each expansion with the expander then another heavy roll crimp magnifies the situation. Uniformity of crimp usually shows in accuracy and definetly in uniformity of velocity from shot to shot
Years ago at Super Vel ran extensive tests on second and third times fired cases versus new brass. In the Super Vel loading found as much as 200 fps loss from first firing to the second firing The original case hardness gradient allowowed for more uniformity. Never ran the same test for accuracy. But uniformity on case mouth uniformity for retention of crimp in recoil was very important for new factory ammo. Our accuracy tests in a SAAMI nominal bbl in the 50 yd indoor range range fired from a machine type rest produced groups of an inch and under. Variations in guns and bbl lengths and shooters varied considerably.

[onegoodshot]

I bring the fl die down til it touches the shell holder, then back off a little.
Even if I fl resize brass fired in the buckeye, it still won't work in the FA.

Curmudgeon, Stan said you would probably respond to this post. Everything you stated makes sense.

[AxeHandle]

Sounds like this "Stan" may be an instigator! Good thing he goes by an alias here!

[Deleted]

There was an article in "The Fouling Shot" about a year ago. I'll see if I can find it.

[curmudgeon]

If the chamber in the Buckeye is at max spec and the FA at min spec this coud be the diff.Are you saying after FL sizing the case is still oversize to chamber in the FA

[onegoodshot]

Even fl sizing the buckeye shot brass doesn't allow a full seat of the round in the chamber. If I really press hard, it will go in but drags when I rotate cylinder. Easier to just keep the brass separate.

[jsh]

Joe I have found this to be common with the FA's. We keep our FA ammo seperated from everything else. My 30-20 tc brass won't chamber in either of my BF's.
using the same brass in different guns I take and put a notch with a file in the rim to keep them separate.
Also I have gotten in the habit of an eing and keeping cases trimmed in the 32-20. I am thank full that the CAS picked up the 32-20 as it makes finding brass a while lot easier than in years past.
Jeff