Seems like I ask more questions that anybody on this forum. I reload a lot, but I am kind of new to fireforming brass. Gez, I am forming brass and I don't even have the gun yet (sent my .223 XP-100 to Pacnor to be rebarreled to 20 Tactical). Anyway, I ordered and received the FL reloading die set and tried to see if I could form a couple of pieces of brass for fireforming when I get my gun in February. Long story short, I lubed the case and ran it through the die and got a small dent around the shoulder area. Will this shoulder "blow out" and conform to the chamber when I shoot (fireform) them or will the cartridge remain dented. I should have bought some form dies I guess, but going from 223 to 204 did not seem like such a big "stretch."
Question 2. What is the best way to fireform? Shoot reduced loads? Any help will be appreciated.

Alan,

On my 300 Apex I used a reduced load to fireform my resized 338 Win. brass. I usually hunt with 150 Nosler and 66 grains of IMR 4350. To fireform I drop the load to 60 grains. That gives me great results at about 2900 FPS.
I don't have to trim until after I fireform.

As for the dented shoulders they will form. I too get those if I don't wipe off the excess lube off of my 450/400 3 inch. I actually try not to put any lube on the area between the shoulder and the neck.

Rusty
We band of brothers!

Hope this helps.

The dent on the case was probably to much lub, try imperial sizing wax it works great. A good way to fire form is to use a heavy bullet with a mild load and run the bullet into the lands so it bottoms out the case against the bolt face so it fits you chamber better. Good Luck

You can also fireform with inert filler (Cream of wheat)
1) Fill your case full of W-W231
2) Empty it into your scale and weigh it.
3) take 10% of this weight(This is your starting
load)
4)Prime a case with a PISTOL primer..
5) Add the 10% pwder charge
6)Shove a 1/4 square of asswipe on top of said powder charge
7)Fill case with Cream o Wheat
8)Take a little bullet lube and seal case(you just need enough to keep the stuff from running out.
9) Adjust powder until forming is complete in one shot.
Remember always to fire in a safe direction and clean the gunk out of your bbl every little bit.
This is out of a book on wildcatting and of a web sight I found both metods were very similar.
Search (MIKE J's 6mm Ackley Improved Reloading page)

You wont be sending bullets down your bore for nothing and will save wear and tear on you neew toy.
Hope this helps