Belted Mag Reloading Question

[Txhuntr2]

How much difference should I expect between new brass that headspaces off the belt and the subsequent firings when I bump the shoulder back and it headspaces on the shoulder?

I have about 60 mixed Hornady cases that have been shot from two different rifles. Instead of sorting these and trying to bump them all back to all fit into the chamber of the one rifle I am loading for, I am thinking about skipping that step and buying some new brass and starting fresh. If I work up a load with new 300wm brass then, duplicate the powder charge with once fired brass that only has the shoulder bumped, will the once fired brass ammo shoot differently? Will I need to rework up the load again? Please help. I know I will have to adjust the seating depth to maintain the same distance from the rifling.

I guess I am in the same boat whatever I do because I will probably need to resize the Hornady cases more than I want since theyre from different rifles.

[Txhuntr2]

Anybody?

[Stick1]

How much difference should I expect between new brass that headspaces off the belt and the subsequent firings when I bump the shoulder back and it headspaces on the shoulder?

It can be huge. Manufacturers can get real sloppy knowing that the belt is controlling headspace. I have seen up to .014 at the shoulder. I'd be careful about mixing brass fired in different chambers when it comes to the H&H based cases. Most dies won't resize a small area just ahead of the belt which can lead to problems with mixed brass coming from different chamber dimensions. After the first firing just set the die to bump the shoulder back .001 and roll on. If you do mix brass, or start having sticky cases Larry Willis (innovative Technologies) makes a slick little universal die set up with a collet that DOES resize the area just ahead of the belt. It's a good tool to have for anybody reloading belted cases. It can extend brass life significantly.

.....and yes, your load can change slightly depending on how much expansion the case has in your chamber.

[Txhuntr2]

It can be huge. Manufacturers can get real sloppy knowing that the belt is controlling headspace. I have seen up to .014 at the shoulder. I'd be careful about mixing brass fired in different chambers when it comes to the H&H based cases. Most dies won't resize a small area just ahead of the belt which can lead to problems with mixed brass coming from different chamber dimensions. After the first firing just set the die to bump the shoulder back .001 and roll on. If you do mix brass, or start having sticky cases Larry Willis (innovative Technologies) makes a slick little universal die set up with a collet that DOES resize the area just ahead of the belt. It's a good tool to have for anybody reloading belted cases. It can extend brass life significantly.

.....and yes, your load can change slightly depending on how much expansion the case has in your chamber.

Thanks Robert. I’ll probably start fresh with new brass. New Hornady brass is very affordable. Is it worth my time? I’ve read that Winchester is hard but inconsistent. And if I’m gonna pay for premium brass, I’d buy ADG but I called and they won’t have any until late March.

[PondPopper]

Fire form and just neck resize.. Head space issues are irrelevant when doing this.

[Txhuntr2]

Fire form and just neck resize.. Head space issues are irrelevant when doing this.

Agreed, except when working up a load with new, unfired brass which headspaces off the belt initially.

[Stick1]

Fire form and just neck resize.. Head space issues are irrelevant when doing this.

Headspace issues will become relevant again after firing a few times. It will just be a different kind of headspace issue. There are way more positives to be gained from a slight shoulder bump than there are negatives.

[Txhuntr2]

Headspace issues will become relevant again after firing a few times. It will just be a different kind of headspace issue. There are way more positives to be gained from a slight shoulder bump than there are negatives.

I didn't realize he said neck size only. I definitely believe their is consistency to be gained by bumping the shoulder back a thou or two as you stated above.

Robert, what is your opinion of NEW Hornady brass in 300wm? I don't think I want to wait for ADG.

[Stick1]

I didn't realize he said neck size only. I definitely believe their is consistency to be gained by bumping the shoulder back a thou or two as you stated above.

Robert, what is your opinion of NEW Hornady brass in 300wm? I don't think I want to wait for ADG.

I have not worked with it. I've had such good luck with Norma 300WM brass, I really haven't looked elsewhere. I just weight sorted 500 pieces a week ago and 478 of them fell within either the 215 or 216 gr categories. We were getting 10+ firings on the last batch and still had tight primer pockets. Hope this batch is as good. I wish the "real" RWS stuff was still available as it was the best I've seen by far.

[TacticalCowboy]

Just full length size the first time and roll on.

[SNIPER3388]

Fire form and just neck resize.. Head space issues are irrelevant when doing this.

Wrong. Neck sizing only is not advised. It was an old thing that was a bad fad for a while. Its been prooven bad, and causes issues.

Aint gotta argue with me, not asking for that, I know Im right. Read up on it all and learn ya something!

[SNIPER3388]

I didn't realize he said neck size only. I definitely believe their is consistency to be gained by bumping the shoulder back a thou or two as you stated above.

Robert, what is your opinion of NEW Hornady brass in 300wm? I don't think I want to wait for ADG.

Every round reloaded should be 2 to 3 thou neck bumped. Up to 5 thou for semi autos like ARs

[softpoint]

Since belted magnums are meant to headspace off the belt, I'd just full length size them and fire them. Then if they are all to be fired in the same chamber again, you can bump the shoulder just a bit, just enough for easy chambering and it will be good.

[PondPopper]

Wrong. Neck sizing only is not advised. It was an old thing that was a bad fad for a while. Its been prooven bad, and causes issues.

Aint gotta argue with me, not asking for that, I know Im right. Read up on it all and learn ya something!

Been doing since the 80's but what do I know. I'm no pro..
Oh and what you are reading is just someone's "opinion". I learned a long time ago that just because you read it doesn't make it true.. I agree it could cause problems in certain situations.. I try to stay away from those.. But hey I'm not going to argue..

[softpoint]

Nothing wrong with neck sizing only. It gives longer case life, if no other benefits. But, after a few loads, you may find it necessary to bump the shoulder a bit to get easy chambering. The cartridge design, the pressure of the load, and the closeness of the chamber to spec will all factor.