I'm know this is kind of a long winded reply but there where a lot of very good points worth thinking about and following up on. I definitely left out some useful information for you guys to help answer my questions. Sorry about that. As it turns out, my questions weren't even the right questions since I was misunderstanding the connection between the information that I did have.
While there's no substitute for getting out there & doing it, might start by reading the stickies at the top of this forum.
If I could, I would like to mail you a cold beer. I don't know if it was the sticky you were referring to but the post I read cause a spark in this dusty noggin of mine and that lead to another spark which lead to a series of connections between the knowledge I currently had. Previously, I simply knew the steps for precision reloading and had the necessary measurements; but now I'm finally starting to see more clearly the WHY that's so critical in precision reloading. The link you posted helped lift the fog.
Now, about that beer.....
There are a lot of variables in what you are asking. What rifles?
DPMS LR-308 with a 24" stainless bull barrel. A Harris bipod and Leopold Mark AR III that I'm using from my M 4 until I have the money to buy high quality glass. Optics are the one things that I will not limit myself on price, even if I have to save up for it.
the tolerances are pretty much up to you
It was more of a concern for safety with having never reloaded and not finding info on tolerances. I felt compelled to ensure I had a knowledgeable answer first. For now, I'm going with +/- 0.003 until I have a more definitive answer.
If for a gas gun, then simply/absolutely full-length resize.
Yessir, I'm using the Lee full length resizing die with proper lubricants
I feel the best way to size is by using a Lee Collet Neck Die.
I was actually looking into that yesterday. I have to be frugal with my money at the moment but I am considering this item, though.
Reloading for 1000 yard competition is a big jump for a beginner.
I'm not intending to jump right into such ranges or competition just yet. It is something I've been interested in or sometime. I found that a private 1K range is only 15min away so I've decided to join it & commit to the craft. First and foremost, I'm figuring how I want to proceed beforehand so that as I progress; I do so properly, affordably, efficiently, without training scars & allowing for a mindfully constructed base of knowledge as I gain experience working up to 1000 yards.
it is a little more involved than casual reloading for rifle.
This is *exactly* what I am interested in. I don't know anything about reloading and thusly have no bad habits or misinformed beliefs. I want to learn to reload for 1K consistency/accuracy from the very beginning. With limited money comes limited resources. I doubt I have the means to do so right now, but my equipment will improve over time. As an infant reloader, I plan to take time and mindfully build an understanding of how to do it safely, precisely & to do it right... here in the very beginning.
Sniper Central may be a good place to look as well
I've been reading them a lot in the last day or so but I'm hesitant to join with the intention of posting questions. I've seen a number of* harshly judgmental responses to a beginner's question who likely didn't know it was a stupid question. I will *definitely* use it for reading information but I'll wait a bit before joining. Isn't there one also called "sniper shot(s)" or sniper something?
Don't get discouraged, you can do it.
I'm not entirely sure that's possible right now. It's been a while since I've had something that I'm so interested in. My last job consumed so much of my life that I had almost none of my own. I just didn't have time. It's the first time in a long time, plus it's one I've always wanted to do. Now I can and I'm really enjoying it
I assume you have a rifle capable of shooting competitively at 1000 yards.
I got this rifle for a steal at a gun show & I've heard great things about it. It may not be the best 1000 yard shooter, but it will serve me well in the beginning/intermediate stages of my progression.Once I can reach 1000 yards, reload with fine precision, and have built up a solid base of experience; I will take I second mortgage out on my home and sell my wife to buy the most amazing equipment ever designed by alien hands. At the very least, that's when I will begin to consider dropping big time professional competitive super duper long range shooting kind of money.
Get some good factory ammo to hone your skills with, and then start the reloading side of it. No sense being frustrated with both to get started. Make it easier on your self.
Yup, I have a box of 168g Sierra Match King waiting for me on my bench.
I would suggest read read read. Google bench rest shooting and spend a few weeks first
I've been soaking up everything I could find for the last month or so but I genuinely struggle with learning new things unless I'm actually in the process of doing them.....if that makes sense
then start by separating sized trimmed brass by weight. Next do the same for your match grade bullets
That makes total sense. I have only been concerned with measurements and it never thought about weighing the casings. That morsel information is definitely going into my reloading log.
finally weigh each and every propellant charge to +/-.01 grain minimum
I already have a simple RCBS trickler on its way.
Next comes the fun part, finding best OAL--crimp or not -- all while putting LOTS of holes in paper. Mind you this is a good starting point for precision shooting
Also in transit is a Sinclair Bullet Comparator #2. I reckon once I establish a seating depth that gets the ogive *extremely* close to the land I might be able to finagle an OAL without excessive trial and error. Of course I could be wrong, after all this is a learning experience. Putting holes in paper is not a problem whatsoever.....well.....as long as they are circular holes that is.
Except that the case gauge is not your chamber. It is your chamber that dictates the amount of sizing.
I'm inclined to subscribe to the same idea. Why not have your brass as snug to the chamber as you can get it while simply treating just the neck? Again, I do understand I could be completely wrong. I have noticed, too, that many people seem to swear by resizing. As I have not had a chance to ask one of them myself, what reasoning do they commonly have for removing the shape of the chamber from there casing? Surely there's good reason behind it.
Totally agree, but the gauge does make a handy (and cheap) tool when loading for an autoloader
Touché
I think 918v is saying to use the chamber as the gauge. He is correct that is the best gauge available, but I just have trouble doing that w/ an autoloader
Is it safe to say then that using the chamber IS the best option; however, the difficulty of it leaves resizing as the next best option?
For ARs, screw the sizing die down incrementally until you are able to close the bolt using the forward assist
Unfortunately, my rifle does not have a forward assist.
Then start by separating sized trimmed brass by weight. Next do the same for your match grade bullets. And finally weigh each and every propellant charge to +/-.01 grain minimum. Next comes the fun part, finding best OAL--crimp or not -- all while putting LOTS of holes in paper. Mind you this is a good starting point for precision shooting. After you work up a good load there will be no need to ask us more questions I am willing to bet.
