Any advantage to sorting?

[wquiles]

That too. I can't brain today. What I meant was variance in pressure required to keep the press handle moving while seating the bullet because of neck tension variance.

Here's a great photo that captures the effect, wish I had documented every one of these from the past few years but this is a particularly dramatic example. This batch of ten cases I was loading over and over again during a workup was getting ready for anneal due to too many cycles and seating pressure was distinctly light on three of these, so as usual I segregated them so they didn't ruin the main group and shotbthem by themselves. One actually would have been in the group but the two WTH! flyers would have those who didn't feel the bullets seat scratching their heads.

(photo removed)

Great post, and definitely one of the few (but important negatives) about my hydraulic (air/oil) MegaPress - seems to make accurate ammo for me at my level, BUT it has zero feel. Nada.

Way before I made my MegaPress, I have been considering a Co-Ax press, but at $350 plus shipping (almost $400) not something I wanted to buy new, and they rarely get sold, and if they do, have been abused and/or neglected. After about a year looking, I just bought a really nice, in fantastic shape used Co-Ax press from a reloader in Ebay for $200 shipped. Instead of doing everything in the MegaPress, I will be using the Co-Ax with the intention of doing some operations on it so that I can get that "feel" back.

 

[Rick H]

Many years ago I ran a Hardinge Turret Lathe making Jet engine parts out of exotic materials. (High grade stainless, monels, and titanium. Pretty exotic in the late 60s and early 70's). It turned out "feel" was everything. I could set it up to run good parts for me. It seems no two people run them the same and every operator would have to do the final set up for how they worked the lathe.

It makes sense that feel could be important in precision reloading as well.

 

[Walks]

It is something I do when I load .44-40 with the #42798. Hafta crimp over the ogive when the bullet is seated. It takes a certain "feel" to get the seat to work with the crimp.
Do the same thing with .45Colt/454190 and .38-40/40043.
It may not be scientific, nor is it condusive to pin point accuracy.
But it puts out ammo that functions perfectly in any firearm and looks right. Very period.

 

[RicinYakima]

Yes, reloading is a manual art, or skill, that some have a hard time dealing with. There is a reason the market has Lee, Dillon, Bonanza and L.E. Wilson tools.

 

[Brad]

Feel is always a critical factor. Learn to feel and sense what is happening and you are well on the way to making better ammo.
Hell, feel is important in shooting too. If you can’t feel and sense position changes then you are likely to be all over the place.

 

[Ian]

Last two posts said a LOT.

If you aren't already chasing at the heels of the groups the rifle has proven capable with jacketed bullets then tinkering with the lube, primer brand, weighing charges to the tenth, and weight-sorting bullets isn't going to help much if at all.

 

[Walks]

Feel is very Much is a critical factor.
I wish the he'll I could get My Chiropractor to understand the Concept when it comes to Reloading his Cowboy Ammo.
He comes over to load .44Mag Cowboy Ammo every 3-4 months. I cast, PC and size his bullets. I clean, size, decap, expand and prime his cases. All He has to do is put a case into the shellplate, then insert a bullet into a charged case.

I watch him like a HAWK. Watch the powder measure rotate to drop a charge. Watch him put a bullet into the charged case, guide it up with his fingers. And watch a case go into the shellplate.

About every 40-50th case he messes up. DON'T know how.

He can straighten my spine and crack my neck with the lightest touch.

Can't began to understand it.
If I made it any easier, a BABOON could do it.
But That's illegal in CA.

 

[Charles Graff]

Charles,you should put me on your ignore list(if not already) because,"Blasting" is my all time favorite thing to do. And with as premo of ammo as I know how to make. Just prefer a "fine red mist" to target shooting,consequently the better the ammo,the better your chances.

Dang neighbors had a big,dress up Fox hunting "show" today,and didn't get any blasting done...... would've been a little effed up so,used the chainsaw for an hour or so?

Well bless your heart!