Brass case annealing machine

[Kent]

When you talk about tailoring the round to the gun, what do you mean? Is it different amounts of gunpowder for different guns?

I don't know a thing about shooting but it's an awesome machine Wyn.

The Chambers and the lead into the rifling can have small differences. Barrels resonate to a different note (think tuning fork)
1" at 100yards is just 1/60 of a single degree so small differences can make a difference..
Powder brand, primers, brass, the amount of neck tension etc can all make a difference

You won't place in a 1000yds match today if your not under 9" with 5 consecutive shots on a day of predictable winds. So little things matter

 

[Robotstar5]

Radway Green is still churning out lots of ammunition. My workshop is right next door to it

Just spotted your location, I know it well due to the rally rescue ambulance I crewed on being based there.

 

[Parm]

When I was shooting, Radway Green ammo was the best factory made competition round if you didn't re-load, is it still about?.

Yep it’s still there. Was there a few years ago. think it might be owned by BAE Systems. Had one of thier balastics chemists work with me at my last place.

They make some awesome stuff

 

[Migmac]

When you talk about tailoring the round to the gun, what do you mean? Is it different amounts of gunpowder for different guns?

I don't know a thing about shooting but it's an awesome machine Wyn.

You can use one of these to measure you headspace, the case is tapped to screw onto the gauge. The grey rod can then push the bullet into the start of the rifling



This it OAL gauge ready to go



This is it inthe rifle, the brass thumb screw is to lock the grey rod in place, so you can measure the overall length of the case and bullet. You do this whole operation a few times



This it the gauge after I have pushed the bullet in and lock the rod in place. I used a very short bullet here, 70 grain for the 243, it will be sat back into the case a bit further. Rule of thumb is that the bullet should be seated in the case a minimum of the dia. The 243 has a 6mm dia so it will be needing to be in the case at least 6mm. You then have to choose a powder that suits the weight of bullet and calibre of rifle you are using, some powders burn faster than others. All the powder manufacturers issue data for you to use. The data gives you a range of weights which you can try. Type of primer can make a difference too. You can measure the chamber and headspace other ways but using this tool has worked for me.

 

[addjunkie]

I use taylor made bullets, but dont use enough to worry to much about the cost, but Id like better accuracy, so how much trial and error goes into getting the set up right

 

[Migmac]

I use taylor made bullets, but dont use enough to worry to much about the cost, but Id like better accuracy, so how much trial and error goes into getting the set up right

I load up 5 of each powder charge, I go up in 1/2 gr increments. So maybe 20 or 25 rounds, out of that I do tend to get one powder charge that does what I want. If I want to improve further I will play with the bullet seating depth but I normally don’t. Target shooters probably will and they will weigh the individual bullets and cases and batch load

You could get somebody to reload for you but do not use reloads they have made for their rifle. Can be hazardous to your health.

I had a relatively experienced reloader bring some of his cases to me to look at. He had issues, very stiff bolt after firing. The primers were sticking out of the primer pocket a wee bit and the necks of the cases were very odd looking. The first one he fired was like this and he continued to fire the rest, I told him he was mad. Ask him what powder he was using and I looked up the data charts. He was putting to much powder in the cases. Scary. I won’t go shooting with him ever!

 

[Robotstar5]

The Chambers and the lead into the rifling can have small differences. Barrels resonate to a different note (think tuning fork)
1" at 100yards is just 1/60 of a single degree so small differences can make a difference..
Powder brand, primers, brass, the amount of neck tension etc can all make a difference

You won't place in a 1000yds match today if your not under 9" with 5 consecutive shots on a day of predictable winds. So little things matter

I used to go on the 600 yard range at Kingsbury, some of the old hands had books of data they had accumulated over the years for various conditions (wind speed, direction, temperature etc.) which gave them a good starting point for the sights, you were only allowed to use "iron" (open) sights, non of this telescopic stuff

 

[Migmac]

I used to go on the 600 yard range at Kingsbury, some of the old hands had books of data they had accumulated over the years for various conditions (wind speed, direction, temperature etc.) which gave them a good starting point for the sights, you were only allowed to use "iron" (open) sights, non of this telescopic stuff

I can still knock things over at 100 yards with irons, used to be able to do at greater distances but lack the eagle eyes nowadays. Both my sons learnt to shoot with irons before they graduated onto scoped rifles

 

[Perry Owens]

You can use one of these to measure you headspace, the case is tapped to screw onto the gauge. The grey rod can then push the bullet into the start of the rifling

Neat little gauge but I don't think it measures headspace. Headspace is the distance between the face of the bolt and that part of the case that supports it in the chamber. All my guns use rimmed cartridges and I spend a lot of time turning down the inside of the rims on cases to get the correct headspace. Too little and the bolt won't shut, too much and case stretch and separation become an issue.
Perry

 

[Kent]

My findings are jump length is pretty irrelevant in a factory gun.. If we talk 243 win the 55 grain nosler will jump around a full calibre just to reach the lead of the barrel. You will struggle to find a factory 243 that won't shoot them though..
This is a bad crossover from bench rest guns because they work on far tighter jump or jam being machined to fit a certain bullet. Loaders then experiment with tiny increments often shimming dies with coke can shims..
You see factory hunting bullets vary up to 20 tho' or greater on the ogive (cone shape point of the bullet ) bench rest bullets are often pretty much hand made to spot on tolerances. As they are single fed in single shot rifles and the user is looking for any gains because at say 100 yards 1/4 of a bullet diameter can matter in deciding if you place or not

 

[Migmac]

Neat little gauge but I don't think it measures headspace. Headspace is the distance between the face of the bolt and that part of the case that supports it in the chamber. All my guns use rimmed cartridges and I spend a lot of time turning down the inside of the rims on cases to get the correct headspace. Too little and the bolt won't shut, too much and case stretch and separation become an issue.
Perry

Your correct, it doesn’t measure the headspace. Can’t edit it out either

 

[Kent]

Your correct, it doesn’t measure the headspace. Can’t edit it out either

Don't worry those that might pick you up on your wording all know what it does.

 

[Migmac]

Don't worry those that might pick you up on your wording all know what it does.

Not worried, just frustrated. Was going to mention headspace and thought better of it. Should learn to check over things before I post.

 

[wyn]

2 years and i finaly got round to using it.
250 hornady cases in about 15 minutes.
Used Tempilaq on 4 cases to set the timer then bunged all the rest through.

The drive must have jammed at one point and cooked one.
Just spotted it before any more piled up on top.

 

[RichardM]

^^^^ Quite mesmerising