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How many of you worry about Run Out?....
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I've never measured or worried w/ run-out on any of my loads. I was loading up several 300 Win loads last night and decided to check and see how they looked while rolling them across the smooth diner table while looking at a white back ground. I noticed that some definitely had a little wobble but, these particular loads have been shooting well below MOA.

How many of you have worried w/ run out?
Do you get that extra little .1" out of your groups if corrected or has it proven to be like a dog chasing his tail?

I've got several loads in different rifles that shoot quite well (sub MOA) but, now I've been thinking maybe there is room for improvement in those rifles.

Does Neck sizing offer less run out? I've found accuracy to be just the same in FL sized rounds vs Neck sized even though it's frowned upon by the bench rest crowd. Heck, I neck size several loads just because I've always "heard" they were better but, like I said my rifles will shoot the same groups regardless of how you size the case as long as you are consistent w/ your methods.

Thanks,

Reloader
 
Posts: 4146 | Location: North Louisiana | Registered: 18 February 2004Reply With Quote
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Reloader,

I'm going by memory, when I was shooting at Quantico, we would spin bullets for the 600yd line and further. Inside 300 yards, it didn't matter much. I still have some old M14 ammo that was loaded at the loading shack, I think it was G12? (when they were using moly coated Berger bullets and a 20+ step loading procedure). I could tell the difference in a competition rifle at 600yds between the stuff that had under .006" runout compared to over .012" runout. This was not the case inside 300yds w/ that load/bullet. If my memory serves me correct, this particular version was tested at 1/4MOA from a test barrel.

Gary
 
Posts: 1190 | Registered: 11 April 2004Reply With Quote
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Well,
There's several cans of plump worms you just opened. Basically, in your rifle, a bit of wobble won't show up on the target or make a difference at normal hunting ranges. The bullet won't fly truer than the barrel, bedding or trigger will let it.
The wobblies get to be a big deal in ultra precise benchrest rifles, and also when shooting longer range target rifles.
For 600-1000 yard ammo I am always working to keep runout down to .001". I will use up to .003" rounds on the 200 and 300 yard stages. Anything greater goes for fouling shots, not practice ammo. No good practicing with wobbly ammo.
The biggest determinant of runout is your brass. The simplest answer is buy Lapua. All cases are crooked. Some less so. The only way to know is to spin it in a Sinclair or other runnout gauge. Those are not expensive.
Most rack grade reloading dies are not overly straight. They don't need to be for normal hunting purposes. You can get straight ammo out of both neck and F/L dies. The biggest problem is an off center expander assembly. It is a PITA to tweak the expander straight, and I'll let another poster here tell you the fine details. I usually use a straight bushing type die or a benchrest grade die from Forster.
Remember, if your chamber is a bit off center, as most hunting rifle chambers from the big producers are, your cases will always have runnout.
so, where does that leave you?
If, you have a very good barrel, and
If, you have a straight chamber, and,
If, you have high quality (or a lucky batch) of brass, and,
If your die body is straight, then,
It is worth tweaking your dies (or buying better dies) and then,
You will see a small improvement on your target at 100 yards.
.1" is about right.
Oh yeah, this only applies with high quality bullets. Most hunting bullets are not perfectly symmetric as regards mass and form. They don't need to be.

To learn more about your rifle:
follow the soon to be described method of adjusting your dies and see how it works out on target. Absent a runnout gauge, visually sighting against a white background will give you a good relative gauge of how you are doing, despite what I said about sending money to Sinclair.

This experiment will be tedious, but informative for you.

lawndart


 
Posts: 7158 | Location: Snake River | Registered: 02 February 2004Reply With Quote
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PS,
My comments only apply to the super tight bolt actions. Gary W VA is right on about shooting M1-As and M-14s.

Unless you want to get into the sickness of competition shooting you might want to rest assured that you aren't hurting yourself by not spinning.

ld


 
Posts: 7158 | Location: Snake River | Registered: 02 February 2004Reply With Quote
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One more thing,

A competition seater die helps reduce runout. A quality standard seater die is nearly as effective if you partially seat the bullet..rotate...seat a bit more...rotate then fully seat. I had good results w/ seating 1/2 way then rotating 180deg and seating full. My best results were seating in 1/3 increments and rotating 1/3 revolutions.

Gary
 
Posts: 1190 | Registered: 11 April 2004Reply With Quote
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I am a desciple of run out elimination. I don't believe it takes a precision rifle to see the results necessarily, though I do have a couple of guns that seem unaffected by it within reason. I think it is the ultimate evil and treat it as such. IMO the primary culprit in causing the problem is expander balls on size dies. It does not take bushing dies to control the problem but I'm quite certain they help.




If yuro'e corseseyd and dsyelixc can you siltl raed oaky?

 
Posts: 9647 | Location: Yankeetown, FL | Registered: 31 August 2002Reply With Quote
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Thanks for the responses and keep em' coming.

Digital Dan, I have a Feeling that the Expander Ball has a great deal to do w/ it as well. It always seems as if some cases have alittle more friction when they hit the expander on the way out. I can see where that could greatly effect the straighteness of the neck. It certainly helps to put alot more sizing lube in the neck but, then it's a pain to remove it completely. I usually just put a light coat of lube in the neck w/ a Q-tip.

My RCBS neck die has the expander ball as well as my FL sizer. I've thought about polishing down the expander but, I'm just not sure that's the route to go?? It seems like then the brass may be to tight and the bullet might get off center even worse while seating bewildered. I hate to polish them and ruin them all together. Opinions?

I've had good luck w/ my 7RM loads by using a Redding Body die first and then using a Lee Collet sizer to size down the neck. Maybe I should chuck the RCBS and buy a collet sizer and Redding body die for this cal as well.

By the way the loads I'm primarily speaking of for my 300WM are w/ Win Nickel Brass and 190 MKs. I've been using Rem brass mostly but, I decided to give this Nickel Plated stuff a go. Well, the first try this weekend w/ the Nickel brass it shot .6" at 200 but, I only had a few loads w/ this brass so, consistency has yet to be decided.

I think what I'll do is take some of the worst ones and shoot a group w/ them and compare w/ groups of the straighter ones. Out of +20 I loaded last night 4 of them had a noticeable wobble and the rest appeared to be pretty straight w/ the exception of a couple I just really couldn't tell.

Thanks Again,

Reloader
 
Posts: 4146 | Location: North Louisiana | Registered: 18 February 2004Reply With Quote
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quote:
I've had good luck w/ my 7RM loads by using a Redding Body die first and then using a Lee Collet sizer to size down the neck. Maybe I should chuck the RCBS and buy a collet sizer and Redding body die for this cal as well.



clap clap clap clap

The collet die is a jewel! I already chucked most of my RCBS dies though a few good ones remain. I rarely if ever size with the expander ball in place. Decap, size, then install the EB and do it on the downstroke if needbe. I also use Lee lock rings, finger tight only. I've found a fair bit of success in floating the die a bit, think it allows the dies to self center.




If yuro'e corseseyd and dsyelixc can you siltl raed oaky?

 
Posts: 9647 | Location: Yankeetown, FL | Registered: 31 August 2002Reply With Quote
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I think anything beyond .004" runout is excessive. I'm not real sure that it makes a differnce in my hunting loads, but mentally it sure makes a diffence to me! If I put a lot of time into a reload setup, I want the reloads to be the best I can produce. Otherwise I might as well use factory loads.
I will second the suggestion of Lapua Brass. It is wonderful to work with.
I just got done loading .270 in RCBS dies. My borrowed die without expander ball was producing .008" out of round shells. I bought a new RCBS die and using the expander ball produced .003". I'm happy now!
 
Posts: 392 | Location: Western Massachusetts | Registered: 05 March 2005Reply With Quote
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I can find no good reason to even measure it. For hunting rifles that is. I've owned many excellent shooting rifles and got them that way by doing the basics....good bullets, glass bedded actions, floated barrels, and a little experimentation with different loads. I've never had to resort to measuring runout to get the kind of accuracy necessary to to have confidence in my rifle and I can show several big game rifles that will still shoot very impressive groups.

Reloading has a lot of BS to it today.....just learn the basics and do it well.


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Posts: 28849 | Location: western Nebraska | Registered: 27 May 2003Reply With Quote
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One thing is for sure. Crooked ammo won't shoot better than straight ammo.
How much you want to worry about runout depends on exactly how accurate you expect your rifle to be. Some rifles it's probably not worth the bother, for many rifles now adays it is.
I have a Bersin tool that will straighten most rounds to less than .0012 of runout. Me and my friends have shot normal and straightened ammo in a couple dozen different rifles and usually the straightened ammo usually shoots 1/4 to 1/2 MOA better than unstraightened ammo.
Is 1/4 MOA better accuracy critical in a hunting rifle - no. But there isn't any such thing as ammo that is too accurate..........DJ


...........I got my Bersin tool here:

http://www.kinneman.com/web/2003/catalog/css/catalog_49.html

.............DJ


....Remember that this is all supposed to be for fun!..................
 
Posts: 3976 | Location: Oklahoma,USA | Registered: 27 February 2004Reply With Quote
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A little trick I learned was to only have enough of the primer pin out to knock the primers out,and found out that usually I have less run out.
I don't even check for it any more because the range I use now just goes to 300 yds.My shooting buddy does check it and even marks his brass as to how to load them,he said he tried it and got less run out that way too.
 
Posts: 508 | Location: Newton,NC,USA | Registered: 02 April 2001Reply With Quote
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I don't worry about run out, like I don't worry about pressure.

It is the effects of run out and the effects of pressure that I worry about.

If your throat is tigher than your bullet, chambering will end all run out problems.
That makes it accurate like a Schuetzen:
http://www.assra.com/getting_started.htm
 
Posts: 9043 | Location: on the rock | Registered: 16 July 2005Reply With Quote
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When the bullet touches the walls of the rifle chamber ,I worry about it,happens with .007"(near) runout...
 
Posts: 439 | Location: Quebec Canada | Registered: 27 August 2001Reply With Quote
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For custom builds,..I beleive they deserve the best efforts. They were built for accuracy, so get all you can. I want .001" and less and use the .001" and above for sighters.

redding comp dies with the sleeve and the wilson in-line dies are the best I have used. I turn necks for match chambers which greatly reduces runout. A lot of runout, even with expander balls, can be removed with necks of uniform thickness. But the sleeved dies that support the case or in-line dies do a superb job of keeping things concentric.

I am also a runout chaser even in factory chambers,..I beleive it makes a diiference at long range and doing so keeps me in touch with my tools for my match rifles. Practice makes perfect.

BTW, the lee collet die is also a favorite of mine as is the redding body die.


Difficulty is inevitable
Misery is optional
 
Posts: 1496 | Location: behind the crosshairs | Registered: 01 August 2002Reply With Quote
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I worry about runout. I strive for .005" or less for my hunting rifles. I use normal RCBS or Redding FL dies and some tricks that John Barsness recommended in Handloader magazine and have been able to achieve this level of runout most of the time. It took some experimenting on my part to get my ammo to this level, but part of the fun of handloading for me is experimenting.

As others have noted, having straight ammo will not correct bedding or other accuracy issues, but since I have started paying attention to runout my average group sizes have shrunk and are much more consistent (less flyers that I have not called).

One other thing I've noticed is that if I use heavy (i.e. long) for caliber bullets, runout doesn't seem to be as big an issue.

-Lou
 
Posts: 333 | Location: Dallas, TX, USA | Registered: 15 January 2001Reply With Quote
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I used to do a lot more than I do today. It's a lot of work and worry to gain .001 or .002" per shot. I use Wilson knock out bushing dies and can hold the runout down to about .002". The Redding Type S bushing dies are almost as good. I use only bullets of known accuracy and try for super consistency at the bench. I no longer ream the primer pockets or turn the necks. I simply got tried of the routine. Unless you're competing this type of reloading can become obsessive. Just one mans feelings. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal


Cal Sibley
 
Posts: 1866 | Location: Montreal, Canada | Registered: 01 May 2003Reply With Quote
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Reloader,

The key is to find out what step is inducing the runout and then fix the problem. I have seen runout induced after sizing without the expander ball, after pulling the expander through, and after bullet seating. An interesting one is for my .300 WSM, I typically get .005" runout after partial resizing the first time on the case mouth (w/ expander removed). I run the case back into the die, and the cases come out .001-.0015" runout at the mouth.

Also, I have found that some bullets work better with some seating dies. For example, Nosler Accubonds seem to always induce more runout with my .300 WSM RCBS dies than partitions or other (less super pointy) lead tipped bullets. The RCBS dies for my .270 WSM and Redding dies for my .270 Win induce no more runout with Accubonds than any other bullet.

-Lou
 
Posts: 333 | Location: Dallas, TX, USA | Registered: 15 January 2001Reply With Quote
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I only have one rifle that is accurate enough that runout could make a difference - a Remington M 700 VLS in 22-250. Since I started using a Bonanza Co-ax press and their micrometer dies, accuracy really did improve. However I must also say that I had problems with my old RCBS die too. Not only did that old die set mar the new VLD bullets when seating, it also deformed case necks. Truth be told, I'm sure it was worn out.
I try to hold runout .0035" or less on all reloaded ammo, and I think it does make a difference. Of course I've gained much shooting skill too, so all credit can't go to runout alone.
 
Posts: 3889 | Registered: 12 May 2005Reply With Quote
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Since I started using Lee collet neck dies and Redding/Forster Competition seaters in my Co-Ax press I haven't worried too much about excess runout because this setup has practically eliminated it. I do measure from time to time out of curiosity, but it's always in the .002" or less range, which is plenty good enough for me.
 
Posts: 407 | Location: Olive Branch, MS | Registered: 31 December 2003Reply With Quote
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Well, I got out to the range to try out the loads. I took the most out-of-line rounds I had from the batch I reloaded the other night w/ the Win Nickel Brass and then I took a few of the visibly straight rounds. I set up my targets at 200 yards and proceeded to shoot some 3 shot groups while allowing proper cooling times inbetween shots.

Results: Two 1" groups w/ the visually straight rounds and some whopping 2.5" groups w/ the rounds that had noticeable run-out. Runout definitely had an impact w/ these loads. Well, looks like I'm going to need another set of Collet dies and a Redding Body die for the ole' 300 Win Mag as well. Believe I'm going back to the plain jayne Reington Brass as well. Heck, may have to break down and buy some Laupua.

I agree w/ most of you that it is not that much of a concern w/ standard hunting rifles but, this particular rifle will mostly be used to punch paper w/ the occasional hunt on an open Right-of-way so, I guess I'll pay more attention to runout when loading for it.

Thanks for all of the suggestions, looks like there may be some more components on order before long. Now, if I can just slip em' by the wife Big Grin

Have a good one

Reloader
 
Posts: 4146 | Location: North Louisiana | Registered: 18 February 2004Reply With Quote
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A lot of testing has been done on this subject and the general concensus is that for every .001" of runout at the bullet, you can expect a 1/4 MOA spread in groups. Now this is a generality and we all know about generalities. Suffice it to say, on a rifle capable of fine accuracy it would be worth the effort. On a budget hunting rifle, it's doubtful.
In my own experience, I've noticed runout on some loaded ammo of .007" or more. This is DEFINITELY affecting accuracy of almost any rifle. If you go by the figures quoted above, and assuming this rifle is capable of 1" @100 yard groups, you could expect the best accuracy of this rifle to be 3-3/4", (1" capability plus (7 x 1/4 moa= 2-3/4") Now that's significant accuracy degradation.
For the rifles I have which include some very accurate Savages, in .260, 7-08 and .223, I usually check all my loaded rounds and cull the brass that causes runout of more than a couple of thousanths. I also noticed a huge difference when going to Lee collet dies from RCBS standard rifle dies, which is common. Not that RCBS dies are bad per say, but the expander ball is the problem. If you take brass and size it in RCBS dies, you'll notice differences in drag over the expander ball, even the slightest drag will cause runout, with more drag meaning more runout. If I'm VERY careful and use Imperial sizing wax, I can keep it to .002" - .004", but it's a hassle to fiddle with. The Lee dies work without drag or lube and runout is, on good brass, nearly nil.
You just have to decide what you're willing to put up with in terms of accuracy and loading hassle, and go from there. With proper attention to detail, which is minimal in my opinion, I've been able to get my Savages to shoot well under an inch on a regular basis. I consider this fantastic for factory stuff, but you have to remember I've installed the barrels and set headspace to minimum, and of course, I have to be having a good day at the range also. Lot's of variables, but it's worth it to me.


Bob
 
Posts: 619 | Registered: 14 November 2002Reply With Quote
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SmilerSome do and some don't with the same results in dowing deer out to 400 yards. thumb
 
Posts: 671 | Location: none | Registered: 14 February 2005Reply With Quote
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I shoot Hi-power competition. The only ammo where runnout concerns me is with my 1,000 yard loads. I have proven to myself that at 1,000 yards a concentric cartridge is very important.

AT 600 yards and closer its impossible to tell the difference (for me) and I've cleaned my share of 600 yard targets. (Shot a 200 out of 200 possible points).

Bullet dispersion is rarely linear--there are very few rifle that group 1" at 100 yards and 10" at 1,000. The farther out you go the more important things like bullet design, uniformity and construction become.

In a hunting rifle with a factory chamber there is no way I'd bother with either runnout or neck turning...doesn't make enough difference in either case to have a meaningful impact .
 
Posts: 721 | Registered: 03 March 2005Reply With Quote
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Reloader--you did not mention what gun you were shooting your loaded rounds out of. Let me throw this out to you "straight" shooters.
1. What happens if your action,bolt, and barrel are not in perfect alignment?
2. Your bullets may be true, but have you ever checked for squareness on the back end of your brass. If this is cock-eyed and your bolt face is flat then what happens to your straight bullets?
3. If you are going to all this trouble I will assume you are using a fairly light grip .002-.003 grip on your bullets. If you aren't using a single shot action are you using a bench rest follower? In a magazine feed action. Watch what happens as you run your bolt forward and a round is picked up out of the magazine. It usually will hit the roof of your chamber before feeding. What is that doing to your "straight" bullets?
4. On a remington bolt you have a plunger ejector that warps your brass out of alignment. So now are you seating a bullet straight with the back side of your brass or to the flatness of your bolt and barrel center?
 
Posts: 251 | Location: TX | Registered: 28 January 2005Reply With Quote
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I've never worried about run out. If my rifle doesn't have a tight neck wouldn't the case always lay on the bottom of the chamber. Wouldn't this off set be greater than normal run out?


As usual just my $.02
Paul K
 
Posts: 12881 | Location: Mexico, MO | Registered: 02 April 2001Reply With Quote
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1. Nothing. As long as the chamber is straight in relation to the bore, all's well. The bolt face does not prevent any side-to-side movement of the case head. There is enough slack in that area to allow the round to center itself in the chamber irregardless of the position of the bolt face.

2. That will definitely show up on a concentricity gage. If you understand how one works, you can imagine what a cockeyed base would do to the indicator needle given all that body taper.

3. .002-.003" is fairly heavy. I use .0005". Factory rounds are .0002-.003". In any case, neck tension is controlled by other factors such as neck wall thickness and hardness. We are not working with paper cartriges. Runout does not change during feeding.

4. Not if the round is tight in the chamber, i.e. neck-sized only.
 
Posts: 362 | Registered: 24 January 2005Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by one-holer:

In a magazine feed action. Watch what happens as you run your bolt forward and a round is picked up out of the magazine. It usually will hit the roof of your chamber before feeding. What is that doing to your "straight" bullets?
?


Now that is an interesting observation! I expect that sometimes this situation is compounded in a push feed action as the claw in a crf will force the case to remain more perpendicular as it is chambered. One more thing to look for in getting a rifle to feed properly.

thumb
 
Posts: 10170 | Location: Tooele, Ut | Registered: 27 September 2001Reply With Quote
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one-holer,

It's a Model 700 Police w/ the 26" Heavy Barrel and HS-Precision stock. I primarily shoot it as a single shot, loading the rounds into the chamber by hand and then closing the bolt. I would assume that things must be pretty well in line since the rifle will shoot one jagged hole at 100 and less than an inch at 200 w/ light wind and 100 degree temps out. Like I said, when I tested the loads that had noticeable runout this weekend they grouped noticeable worse than the better loads. I do believe it's a combination of the brass as well as the Expander Ball. I'll probably end up w/ another set of Lee Collet dies before long.

I think I'll just stick w/ the standard dies on most of my hunting rifles. They've been shooting great and I've never worried too much about run-out in the past. If it ain't broke, I sure ain't going to fix it. I will however be more cosiderate of run-out w/ any of the paper punchers I load for in the future.

Thanks for all of the advice everyone.

Have a Good One

Reloader
 
Posts: 4146 | Location: North Louisiana | Registered: 18 February 2004Reply With Quote
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FWIW,..I always single feed my rounds in any rifle I am shooting for groups.


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Misery is optional
 
Posts: 1496 | Location: behind the crosshairs | Registered: 01 August 2002Reply With Quote
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I've read a lot of good stuff here guys. I use RCBS dies exclusively because of price and availability. I tried cheaper ones and didn't like them. I have friends who say if I ever try brand x I'll trash all my RCBS dies...maybe so.

My rifles (all three of them...I suspect many of you have a few more rifles and a few years of experience on me) range from 1.25" to .75"at 100 yards. I have one factory varmint rig with a factory heavy barrel that shoots .75" consistently with the occasional .4" group. I just don't see the need for my application. However, I think we are all somewhat plagued by the desire to have the most accurate rifles we can have.

So, I too would like to close my groups up. This brings me to my questions: Which has the most effect on accuracy...bullet runout or the barrel, bullet design, etc.? My suspicion is that in my cheap factory rifles (they're not cheap to me, but I realize on the grander scale they are inexpensive) is runout gonna make that much difference when I'm sending bullets through a flawed barrel touched by an untrued action and cheap composite stock topped with a 3-9x40 scope?

As far as dies go, I think RCBS dies will load ammo that will shoot as well as my rifles and I can shoot them. I do have a concern however with the expander ball. I bought some lube, but maybe I'm not applying it correctly, I still have the sticky syndrome. How do you guys resolve this issue?


Reloaders Haul Brass!
 
Posts: 336 | Location: Kentucky | Registered: 03 December 2003Reply With Quote
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As a rule of thumb, with SAAMI throats and SAAMI ammunition, anything more than .004" runout gets straightened out when it is chambered.

Obviously wide throats and short bullets could maintian more excentricity in the chamber.

So if you are much worse than 2moa, you can't see the effect of runout.
 
Posts: 9043 | Location: on the rock | Registered: 16 July 2005Reply With Quote
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Reloader,

I never worried about run out till a few years ago. After all, I had been loading for several years and never had a problem killing any game within the popular 250 and under distances.

However, there is something that I have not read in the thread thus far, and that is the field condition compared to the range conditions. Meaning, the tighter the group you have at the range on a sandbag, the better off you are in the field when you take that 160 yard offhand shot, or using a standard prone position at 300+, or even a bipod at 400 and so on.

My rifles are all custom, but that's just me, I prefer it that way. What I can tell you is that I certainly noticed a HUGE difference in consistency with handloads once I began worrying about concentricity despite the fact that the powder may be from a different lot, the brass may not weigh the same, or I used a different primer.

The more concentricity you have, the lower the spread in group size should be.

I lean towards the concentricity side of the table. I also DO NOT use an expander ball at all. I use a fine graphite suspended in 100% alcohol to lube the necks before I seat the bullet. The alcohol evaporates rapidly and the neck is left with a fine layer of dry lube which facilitates bullet seating and firing into the bore.

I just tested some loads tonight on my Sinclair Concentricity gauge. The load happens to be using WW brass, 110 Barnes TSX, a standard Redding sizer die, no expander ball, and a Redding Competition seater.

I also seat the bullet 1/3, spin, 1/3 deeper, spin, and final 1/3rd fully seat.

Of 20 rounds, the largest runout was 1 round at 0.001 and the rest barely wobbled the needle.

For test comparison, I loaded 10 up with exact components but used the expander ball and did not spin the round as it was being seated.

Runout was up to 0.008. I'v tested this before and at 100 yards, there was very little to notice. Pushing to 200 is certainly noticeable, however, when shooting 350-400+, there is such a difference that I will never NOT WORRY about runout again.

And, this was done as a "blind" study. I had my friend hand me the rounds, so I did not know which was which, attempting to eliminate my own bias. It worked.

In the real world of hunting, well, obviously shot distance should be your guide. It is really not necessary as many hunters go to Walmart for their rifle and ammo and kill animals to 300+ yards annually without a catch.

I'm an accuracy freak. If there is a tool available for me to make my loads as accurate as their full potential, then I will go through the effort to achieve it. This tells me when it's the rifle and ammo, or the shooter, when I'm dissatisfied with the target at the end of the day.

2 days after I ditched the expander ball, I got the tightest groups of my life. One jagged hole. Furthermore, the test held true in my brother's factory Rem. 300 SAUM.

Concentricity is cheap insurance. Plus, it can be fun knowing how well you make your ammo. Finally, it's only money and time, right?


Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns
 
Posts: 7906 | Registered: 05 July 2004Reply With Quote
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Doc,

W/o the expander ball in the Redding die, does your brass grossly expand as the bullet is seated?

I've sized a few brass before w/o the expander. On those, you could look at the brass before the bullet was seated completely or if the base of the bullet didn't make it below the neck, and the neck was quite bubbled out where the base of the bullet stopped in the neck. It just didn't look too precise however, if the bullet was seated past the neck, you couldn't tell and neck tension was probably quite tight.

I really like Redding's Body dies acompanied by Lee's collet neck sizer. That method seems to produce much straighter loads now that I've taken the time to compare it vs. FL w/ exp.

I may just make my own body die w/ this full length die by removing the decapping/exp and boring out the neck area several thou. Then, I'll purchase another Collet sizer and be done w/ it. I guess I might as well look up some Sinclair tools as well.

Have a Good One!

Reloader
 
Posts: 4146 | Location: North Louisiana | Registered: 18 February 2004Reply With Quote
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Originally posted by Reloader:
Doc,

W/o the expander ball in the Redding die, does your brass grossly expand as the bullet is seated?



Yes. With the 110 TSX it was noticeable because the bullet was short compared to the 130. Customizing the neck dimension in the sizer die is a good idea if it makes you feel better. I've considered it but for me I do not feel that it is necessary, unless, however, I start loading more flat based spitzers.


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Wstrnhuntr:
I don't see any problems occuring with controled feed vs. the push feed. A lot of reloaders load with little bullet grip. For instance if a cease fire is called on the range and your round is removed from the chamber. Put it back on your gauge and check the runout. It may be straight going in but it may not arrive straight and certainly less of a chance if that round has to be rechambered. All guns and loads react differently---I'm from Missouri--someone had to "show me" also.
 
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reloader,..the gross expansion is a sign of high neck tension due to an undersized expander or one which is meant for .003-.005" tension. I prefer .001-.002" tension so I use the bushing dies to control this. You can reduce that bulge you are experiencing by turning your necks down if you want to go to the trouble.


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Here's a question, just so we're all on the same page: Where do you measure your runout? The measurements will certainly vary between halfway down the neck, at the end of the neck and on a loaded bullet just before the ogive.

And, if you full length resize or even body size, won't the case body have to be concentric and exactly perpendicular to the case head? Seems that it wouldn't do any good to have a perfectly concentric cartridge if it gets canted in the chamber.

I still get runout of .003" or less by using the Lee Collet Neck Sizer but also leave a portion of the neck chamber size by putting a washer on top of the shell holder when I use it. In my mind the bullet would best be lined up by a slight crush fit and by haveing the neck where it meets the shoulder being fire formed size. Thinking about that Bersin tool.


sofa


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Whatever the chamber is, runout at the bullet ogjive adds to the total misalignment. If the case is canted as to induce lets say .005" runout and the round itself has .005" at the ogjive, then in some cases the bullet will be perfectly concentric to the boreline and in others as much as .010" off. This will certainly affect point of impact and group size.

Ideally, you'll have a neck-sized round with no runout. The case body will be concentric to the boreline, and the bullet will be concentric to the boreline as it sits in the case neck. This is the best case scenario for accurate load development.
 
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reloader,..the gross expansion is a sign of high neck tension due to an undersized expander or one which is meant for .003-.005" tension. I prefer .001-.002" tension so I use the bushing dies to control this. You can reduce that bulge you are experiencing by turning your necks down if you want to go to the trouble.


JustC,

I agree w/ ya but, we were talking about using the FL sizer w/o the expander.

I've only tried that a few times but, I didn't like the way they looked so, I gave up. Alot of folks say it works pretty well.

Reloader
 
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