"Dry" Fire forming 222 Remington from new brass...

[jagermeister]

Is there a procedure for fire-forming new brass without using bullets ?
Just primers, powder and some "media" (paper, cream of wheat...else) ?
In the specific, I have a box of new 222 brass that I'd like to fire-form before try accuracy and was wondering whether there is a method which could save me the bother to go to the range...and save my barrel, too..... :wink:

Thank you in advance.
J

 

[Clintsfolly]

Put a few gr ( 3-4)of fast pistol powder in the case then fill with cornmeal seal with wax( few drops off a candle). Outside point up and shoot check case add more powder if not formed if formed load rest of your case. Did this to form 458AccRel Was using a old dark bore barrel to save my good barrel. It really cleaned the crud out and it shoots good now not as good as the good barrel but better. Clint

 

[ColColt]

That doesn't seem to me it would properly form the case to the chamber...not enough pressure. I've never tried it, using the normal method, so; I can't say it would or wouldn't work. It seems to me it won't.

 

[lanman]

I've used this method to form Ackley cases for my 2506. I can verify that it does work. I was in the 9-11 grain range with powder, red dot If I recall correctly, but I was using a much larger case.. and I used a wadded up piece of toilet paper to keep the media in instead of fooling with wax.

 

[HOGWILD338-378]

I was under the impression that on new brass that was specked for you caliber that only affected accuracy a tad if you did not fire form but if you were say doing an Ackley Improved from a plain caliber that it was a must to fire form them to the chamber to increase the shoulder into ackley improved shoulder! Was watch a guy COW his brass and it made all the sence what he was doing but for new brass in a new chamber of proper caliber I do not think it is a must?

http://youtu.be/Ex6GaqvTQLw

This guy is kinda slow and his method seems like it works for him but remember this is the Internet and this was a question I had and from what I see nothing looks too suspect of causing any issue and I have a friend that does some of his brass the same way without issue!

 

[super-7]

Not sure what the bother in trying to fire form a factory chamber? Start load development . I'm not sure how many rounds you plan on firing, but to burn out a barrel
Or throat on a triple duece would take some reckless abandonment , if your letting your barrel cool between shots and clean when accuracy falls off you likley have in the neighborhood of 5000 rounds down range before worrying.
I guess I'm saying shoot it more fun same overall result.

 

[jagermeister]

Thanks for your help.
The main reasons I wanted to fire form was mainly due to :

- new brass not being too straight
- avoiding to go to the range, which is quite far away (since the usual range is closed these days).

I agree that shooting at targets is wayyy more fun than fire forming my brass...

With regards to barrel life, I'd guess (and hope....... to get close more to 10k....
I shoot with no hurry and I clean every 30-40 rounds.

Inviato dal mio GS 1150