Home » General Conversation » Reloading » Well, I guess rainy days are good for something.... (.300 AAC Blackout)
| Well, I guess rainy days are good for something.... [message #24775] |
Sun, 13 October 2013 23:02  |
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cajuntec
Messages: 1250
Registered: November 2009
Location: Williamsburg, VA
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I've had these .300 AAC Blackout components on my reloading bench forever.
I had started to reload a chain, working my way up from 17 to 17.8 grains in .2 grain increments with 10 rounds each before I figured out something was wrong with my brass at the start of the 17.2 set. On some, the case mouths were bulging where the bullets were seated. You could see where the bullet seating stopped. 
Lesson learned - "Fully formed and ready to reload" brass.... is a myth.  I'm still fairly new to reloading, and so when someone offered the above in brass, I thought "Great! Less work!" The thought process was that if someone had reformed .223 brass into .300 AAC, then they had to go through all the work - cutting, necking up, etc... The first thing I did was check the brass for cleanliness, and then I did a length check with my calipers on several of the pieces. Everything seemed to check out. WRONG. Don't know why - but the necks were way tighter than they should have been.
I've already been scolded by a reloading friend. Never, ever, ever, load brass that you haven't personally gone over, checked, resized if necessary, etc...
So, I popped all of the primers out and started over again like it was once fired brass that needed to be fully done. The finished product was re-primed, along with 50 additional pieces, and sat on my workbench forever.
Rainy day today, so I broke out the equipment, closed the door, and got to it.
The result - 99 pieces of .300 AAC Blackout (one primer pocket issue), loaded with 125 grain Sierra ProHunter bullets. They chamber beautifully and are as perfect as I've ever made. Took forever, but it's done. 20 round each, working it's way from 17 grains to 17.8 grains. I can't wait to get to the range now. Then I can start all over with another batch once I figure out what shoots best! 
All the best,
Glenn
If at first you don't succeed... buy newer / better equipment!
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| Re: Well, I guess rainy days are good for something.... [message #24781 is a reply to message #24775] |
Mon, 14 October 2013 09:10  |
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Glenn
I too learned a lesson many years ago. I clean, resize, and closely check every piece of brass that I get. Even factory new brass gets checked closly. Cracked necks, and a multitude of different ailments will find a way to jump up and bight me in the butt if I don't cut it off at the pass. Actually new brass has always been the worst for me. I always go by the old computer rule. GIGO (garbage in garbage out). Good luck, God bless.
Mr. Murl
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Molan Labe
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither safety nor liberty." - Benjamin Franklin
“Quemadmoeum gladuis neminem occidit, occidentis telum est.” (A sword is never a killer, it is a tool in the killer’s hands.) – Lucius Annaeus Seneca, circa 4 BC – 65 AD
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If we falter and lose our freedom, it will be because
we destroyed ourselves."
~ ~ Abraham Lincoln ~ ~
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| Re: Well, I guess rainy days are good for something.... [message #24791 is a reply to message #24783] |
Mon, 14 October 2013 11:27 |
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cajuntec
Messages: 1250
Registered: November 2009
Location: Williamsburg, VA
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Mr. Murl / Crubear,
I've got a bunch of new brass, but the only reloading I've done in the past is with stuff I've processed myself (used). Glad I learned my lesson on this with some relatively inexpensive bulk resized brass before tearing into my new stuff, as I'm going to load some .357 Max soon, and that brass took a while to get my hands on so I wouldn't want mess it up.
When I got the bulk brass (I bought 500 pieces), I inspected each one by hand and found about 15-20 that weren't perfect. Even after removing those, I still had over 500 pieces. The headstamps are all Lake City brass, although they are from different lots / years. Of the ones I culled, these were the worst looking ones. I didn't throw them out, as I wanted to ask someone if these should be tossed, or if they can still be used. I'm leaning towards tossing them, but hate to waste brass these days. What do you think?
All the best,
Glenn
If at first you don't succeed... buy newer / better equipment!
[Updated on: Mon, 14 October 2013 11:28] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Well, I guess rainy days are good for something.... [message #24794 is a reply to message #24793] |
Mon, 14 October 2013 11:54 |
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cajuntec
Messages: 1250
Registered: November 2009
Location: Williamsburg, VA
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That's all they are - just dents. I had also heard from someone else saying that if they were just dents, that the first firing would take care of it. Just wanted to verify. I just didn't want to use these for load development. I'll keep them in a separate pile and load them up later. Thanks!
All the best,
Glenn
If at first you don't succeed... buy newer / better equipment!
[Updated on: Mon, 14 October 2013 11:55] Report message to a moderator |
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