MP311-180

Spindrift

Well-Known Member
I seat the gas checks using a press and the NOE top punch holder for the ram, with corresponding top punch. The point of this exercise is, of course, complete and level check seating prior to sizing. An added bonus with these HP- bullets is, the punch uniforms the point of the bullet (before/after photos below). Not so important, maybe- but no downside to it, anyway.
I tried to take a picture, illustrating the finning of the copper check. Not easy, as it is small. But you might notice an edge there, catching the light.

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Ian

Notorious member
I've never been sold on the idea of crimping a check in push-through sizing system. My experience is they always tend to back off the shank slightly when pushed into the die, then cave in as resistance increases and touch the base of the bullet again, leaving a cupped ring (or no ring and no touch depending on how much the check is being sized down as it is crimped).

What I do is seat the checks in a Lyman 45 machine and have the seating stop adjusted so it not only seats but gives about 3/4 of the crimp that will be needed for final size. THEN I push them through a Lee sizing die. I find this technique particularly useful with the aluminum checks that don't have a thicker mouth to bite into the shank like Hornady checks do. Also, the aluminum checks get formed more squarely and swaged to fit closely when doing the base first seat/partial crimp operation first. YMMV.
 

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
Or . . .

I size the checks before placing on the bullet, puts a flair to the cup and makes the cup itself flat to match the base of the bullet. Place the check on the base of the bullet and when placing it in the Star I hold the check that's on the base of the bullet up against the flat punch and lower it into the die. Holds the check against the base of the bullet and has the added benefit of starting the bullet in the die as straight as possible. Sizer die while sizing the bullet crimps the check that's held flat against the base.

The result is a check that's flat, square and against the bullet base and the bullet is sized as concentric as it's possible. Here is one design of check sizer that I made. Brad came up with an improved design of one of my other check sizers. NOE now makes Brads version.

assembled-9.jpg parts-9.jpg
 

Spindrift

Well-Known Member
That's the great thing, with hanging out with guys smarter than you; keep an open mind, and you learn stuff all the time. Thanks for the input!
The NOE top punch holder brings the option of base- first size/crimping. I have done this with some 6,5 bullets, and alu checks. It might be a better option. At least until I break down and get some sort of lubesizer.
 

Spindrift

Well-Known Member
Lately, I have been playing with a new (to me) powder; Norma 200. This is the fastest powder Norma currently produces. It is in Rx10- territory, NG content 4,5%. Extruded, short grain. In their description of the powder, Norma states:
It is also suitable for loading with light bullets in low velocities for medium calibers such as .308 win.

Reduced loads, in other words.

So far, I have tested it in the .30-06, bullet weights ranging from 158- 220 grs, loading weights 22- 25,5 grs. Velocities are unspectacular. But accuracy potential looks good, and the case necks are spotless, very clean burning.

This is the Rössler titan alpha rifle, .30-06, shot from prone at 100m paper target. 25,5grs Norma 200, MP-HP 175grs bullet. About 1700fps. Forgot my calipers; but 4 shots sub- inch i think, and a called flier (argh!) to the right. I think this powder has some merit.

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Ian

Notorious member
Hey, they let you shoot real paper there! Nice. RX-10 is probably the best powder choice possible for the .30-30 Winchester...theoretically. The larger cases may demonstrate to what extent Norma 200 is position sensitive, but other than that it looks like you're good to go.
 

Spindrift

Well-Known Member
Found a range relatively nearby with real paper targets :)
They will close for the season in a couple of weeks, though. Evenings are getting dark now.
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
I was thinking about it possibly being position sensitive too.
then...
look at that nitro content.
it's gotta cut way down on sensitivity to anything, that's up there in the bulls-eye zone.
 

Ian

Notorious member
Reloder 7 is something like 17% nitro and still has some sensitivity in cases like '06, but not bad at all. 4% will help but how much? By the looks of the group the Norma powder is doing pretty well in any event.

Anyone know the composition of Titegroup? A pinch of that stuff in a boxcar will light the same from any corner.
 
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fiver

Well-Known Member
I don't know, but the way it will turn into a bomb just by being squeezed a bit, it has to be up there pretty far.
I'd also imagine clays is pretty high.
red-dot is probably still down in the 3% range even after the additions 'to clean it up' over the years..