Newbie Questions regarding Reloading and Shooting!

[Deeznutzr6]

I have a few questions that I was hoping could be answered here. Some regarding shooting some regarding reloading.

1_How many shots do you shoot prior to cleaning the barrel and why?

I shoot 5 shots and then clean the barrel quite thoroughly, Is this to much or not enough.?

2_Is modern reloading powder corrossive or not?

There are times I get home from a long day of shooting and I really don't want to clean my guns right away. Is it going to be harmful to leave discharged powder in the barrel? How long is to long to leave powder in a barrel?

3_How much will 3" of barrell length impact velocity?

I have been working some reloads from the nosler book and the tested barrel is 26" long, my gun barrel is 23" long. The velocities I have been producing have been extremly consistant but they are way off from the book velocities. By as much as 200-300 FPS. Could it be the barrel length?
Is it possible it is my chronoraph? How far do you set the Chrony from the muzzle? I have been setting to the recommended 10 feet but it does seem a bit far.

4_What is the theory behind "fire forming cases"?

I Understand that the idea is that the case fits into the chamber like a glove after it has been fired. BUT, how can you align the case the same way it was formed the first time? If I have a nice custom made pair of gloves but i put my hand in it the wrong way, those gloves are usless. Where is the benefit?

I truly appreciate any light you may be able to shed on these questions.

Thanks,

Derek

 

[JD338]

Deeznutzr6

1. I clean about every 20-25 rounds. You can also watch for your accuracy to deteriate and then you can clean.

2. Modern smokless powders are not corressive

3. Figure on about 25-40 fps per inch

4. Fire forming is usually done by seating a bullet into the lands an firing a moderate load to seal the chamber and fire form the case.
The Ackley Improved wildcats are actually formed off the shoulder/neck. Max loads from the parent cast are good fireforming loads for an AI.

JD338

 

[FOTIS]

1_How many shots do you shoot prior to cleaning the barrel and why?


Depends on the gun and how it takes to fired rounds. Some of my rifles can produce sustained accuracy up to 50 rounds without cleaning. Some rifles housing higher intensity cartridges can give up the accuracy ghost after 15-20 shots. Basically it depends.

2_Is modern reloading powder corrossive or not?

Modern SMOKELESS powders are not generally considered corosive. That said I do not leave my barrels dirty from hunting season to hunting season. I sight in a month or so prior to hunting season, run a dry patch through her and then clean and oil after hunting season.


3_How much will 3" of barrell length impact velocity?

Which chambering? A 308 winchester might lose 50-70 fps. A 257 STW might lose 200+ fps.


4_What is the theory behind "fire forming cases"?

Like you stated, "I Understand that the idea is that the case fits into the chamber like a glove after it has been fired."

"How can you align the case the same way it was formed the first time?"

Easy, you do not have to provided your chamber was cut correctly. It is tubular in shape so you can just drop it in! :wink: