jimmymac
J McGregor
...when I use the search function. So many topics. So much variation on methods. It's not unexpected, but for the new guy looking to get in to short range benchrest there is a lot to take in and think about in order to separate the good, the bad and the ugly.
The ideal neck dimension for a PPC is a good read. 262 is the way to go right up until 269 or some place in between wins the day. That free bore dimension sparks up some interest too.
6PPC fire forming methods are all over the map. Everything from cream of wheat with no bullet to as much N133 or H322 a guy can cram into a 220 Russian case with a hard jam and a crush fit between the case shoulder and chamber. Pistol powder. Shotgun Powder. Hydro forming with no powder at all.
Primer pockets are a fun read. Some guys uniform them and swear by it, while others say it's a waste of time. Those that uniform may or may not use an adjustable tool. Some uniform them just for the hell of it even if they can't determine if there is any actual benefit.
Researching sizing dies is fun. Custom or semi-custom are the preferred choices for the serious shooter so it is more a matter of who you have do the work for you. Harrell's seems to provide a nice semi-custom die for a fair price. If that's not good enough, a guy can spend upwards of $250 for that custom sizing die. Hopefully your gunsmith is up to the task and that same $250 die will work with the next barrel you have chambered so as not to repeat the process.
Seating dies are interesting too. It seems like many guys get along just fine with standard LE Wilson seaters, while others wouldn't even consider using one because the fit isn't as exact as it could be.
Neck turning brass is about the same. Multiple methods to arrive at the desired neck thickness assuming one can determine how much clearance is actually needed or desired. .0085 wall thickness for that 262 neck is the answer right up until .0080 is determined to be a better number. One guy will turn the brass in a single pass, while others do multiple passes. Mandrels are an interesting topic too. Carbide is the definitive choice right up until the time it's a waste of money.
Weight sorting is also a fun read. You either swear by it or it is a complete waste of time in the short range bench game.
Scopes, scope power, scope brand, rings, scope lapping, actions, action brand, port configuration, action timing, triggers, firing pins, reading the wind, wind flags, daisy wheels or not, flag materials, flag balance, bullet type, bullet brand, bullet weight, neck tension, front rests, rear bags, etc. etc. etc.
No wonder my head hurts.
Please keep in mind that the intent of everything written above is good-natured and said tongue in cheek. For those long time shooters that may have forgot, it provides a brief re-cap of what a new shooter is up against. I'm just striving to keep it simple. Easier said than done sometimes.
Back to your regularly scheduled programming.
The ideal neck dimension for a PPC is a good read. 262 is the way to go right up until 269 or some place in between wins the day. That free bore dimension sparks up some interest too.
6PPC fire forming methods are all over the map. Everything from cream of wheat with no bullet to as much N133 or H322 a guy can cram into a 220 Russian case with a hard jam and a crush fit between the case shoulder and chamber. Pistol powder. Shotgun Powder. Hydro forming with no powder at all.
Primer pockets are a fun read. Some guys uniform them and swear by it, while others say it's a waste of time. Those that uniform may or may not use an adjustable tool. Some uniform them just for the hell of it even if they can't determine if there is any actual benefit.
Researching sizing dies is fun. Custom or semi-custom are the preferred choices for the serious shooter so it is more a matter of who you have do the work for you. Harrell's seems to provide a nice semi-custom die for a fair price. If that's not good enough, a guy can spend upwards of $250 for that custom sizing die. Hopefully your gunsmith is up to the task and that same $250 die will work with the next barrel you have chambered so as not to repeat the process.
Seating dies are interesting too. It seems like many guys get along just fine with standard LE Wilson seaters, while others wouldn't even consider using one because the fit isn't as exact as it could be.
Neck turning brass is about the same. Multiple methods to arrive at the desired neck thickness assuming one can determine how much clearance is actually needed or desired. .0085 wall thickness for that 262 neck is the answer right up until .0080 is determined to be a better number. One guy will turn the brass in a single pass, while others do multiple passes. Mandrels are an interesting topic too. Carbide is the definitive choice right up until the time it's a waste of money.
Weight sorting is also a fun read. You either swear by it or it is a complete waste of time in the short range bench game.
Scopes, scope power, scope brand, rings, scope lapping, actions, action brand, port configuration, action timing, triggers, firing pins, reading the wind, wind flags, daisy wheels or not, flag materials, flag balance, bullet type, bullet brand, bullet weight, neck tension, front rests, rear bags, etc. etc. etc.
No wonder my head hurts.
Please keep in mind that the intent of everything written above is good-natured and said tongue in cheek. For those long time shooters that may have forgot, it provides a brief re-cap of what a new shooter is up against. I'm just striving to keep it simple. Easier said than done sometimes.
Back to your regularly scheduled programming.
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