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+--- Thread: Tips for New reloaders (/showthread.php?tid=526)
Tips for New reloaders - r.tenorio671 - 01-06-2022
The following post is going to be picture heavy, but I think it can help some of the folks new to reloading, especially if shelf ammo is going to continue being scarce.
The info is "basic" in nature, but I believe it will help a new reloader avoid some issues, especially for gassers. The main thing is to help them load SAFE ammo.
here goes....
I recommend investing in a Sheridan Engineering Slotted case gauge, the utility it provides is immense throughout the whole reloading process of setting up sizing dies, checking shoulder bump, checking trim length, checking bullet seating depth for ALL bullet types and checking cartridge overall length in regards to magazine fit (which can vary among brands & styles). Brad cuts the gauges with a SAAMI spec reamer so if the ammo you produce fits in it, you should have no issues feeding and firing that ammo. Due the slot, you can visually ascertain where an issue lies and make the appropriate adjustment before you start loading up any cartridges. DISCLAIMER: I don't have any relationship with Sheridan other than I am a customer and use their gauges for all of my rifle calibers....I receive no gratuities, discounts, freebies, nada from Sheridan. They are just a good product and saved me alot of time debugging ammo related issues....I wish they had them 35+ years ago.
If you are converting brass, it also allows you to check that converted brass before you even begin priming, charging and seating a bullet. No one likes to deconstruct a bunch of loaded rounds.
When fire-forming converted brass, it is preferred that the shoulder bump is as close to the SAAMI spec as possible to prevent gas leakage and to get a more defined shoulder definition. It also allows for less powder to be used, something to consider for those experiencing shortages or lack of variety.
The attached picture shows my converted Starline 6.5 Grendel brass in the gauge, note the conformity of the shoulder bump, case rim at minimum and the trim length. I was fortunate that my Hornady Custom dies were pretty much spot on, only a minor tweak was needed.
RE: Tips for New reloaders - r.tenorio671 - 01-06-2022
This pic shows the bullets I have been fortunate to get my hands on. From left to right they are Hornady 87gn VMAX, Hornady 90gn ELD-X, Berger 95gn Classic Hunter Hybrid, Berger 95gn VLD Hunting, Berger 105gn VLD Target and the Nosler 105RDF. I also have the Hornady 108 ELD-M but image was corrupted and wouldn't upload, sorry. In this image they are aligned at the tips to show how they would be positioned if they were all loaded to a nominal COAL of 2.260". Take note of the way the lighting shows where the ogive of each bullet is, it's slanting upward from right to left. Where that ogive is located has an immediate effect on how how deep each bullet has to be seated to avoid being jammed into the lands of YOUR barrel, each barrel differs and the only way you can determine where a bullet touches YOUR lands is to measure with a tool like Hornady's LNL OAL Gauge or similar type tool. Not all of the bullets in the picture can be loaded to the magazine limit of 2.260". The next post will show the differences for each.
RE: Tips for New reloaders - r.tenorio671 - 01-06-2022
...apologies, having issues getting the images to upload, will work on it...probably have to break the posts up into smaller bits..
stand by
These images following this post show each of these bullets seated to a depth that allows them to pass the Sheridan gauge, i.e., fit in a SAAMI spec chamber AND fit in the typical magazines 2.260" limit. Before seating them, I checked each case to ensure it passed the gauge. The Berger 105, Berger 95 VLD Hunting, Nosler 105 RDF and Hornady 108 ELD-M can all be seated to a COAL of 2.260" and pass the Sheridan gauge, the others needed to be seated deeper as their ogive made contact earlier and prevented the casing from seating/chambering fully.
The CBTO's for all after SEATING are as follows:
Berger 105=1.6635"
Berger 95 Hntr Classic=1.697"
Berger 95 VLD Hntr=1.667"
Nosler 105 RDF=1.693"
Nosler 70 Vmgdon=1.639"
Hdy 108 ELD-M=1.686"
Hdy 90ELD-X=1.658"
Hdy 87VMax=1.664"
Remember, this info is for the new reloaders and an attempt to help them off on a trouble free, or at least less troubled path, in reloading for the 6ARC.
RE: Tips for New reloaders - r.tenorio671 - 01-06-2022
Berger 95 Classic Hunter & Berger 95 VLD Hunting
Berger 108 VLD Tgt, Hdy 108 ELD-M & Nosler 105 RDF
Hdy 90 ELD-X, HDY 87 Vmax, Nosler 70 Vmgdon
RE: Tips for New reloaders - r.tenorio671 - 01-06-2022
...BTW, these are my dummy rounds, not actual loaded cartridges.
RE: Tips for New reloaders - r.tenorio671 - 01-07-2022
Final picture of the dummy rounds that passed the Sheridan Slotted Gauge. Note the dark line above case mouth aligns with the ogive of each bullet.
Left to right:
Bgr 105 VLD Tgt
Bgr 95 VLD Hntr
Bgr 95 Classic Hntr Hybrid
Hdy 108 ELD-M
Hdy 90 ELD-X
Hdy 87 VMax
Nosler 105 RDF
Nosler 70 VGdon