Reloading for a Match

[feederic]

I know many people have what they consider match loads and target loads. I was curious as to what rituals various people implement while loading for a match e.g. how much extra care and inspection?

[Mark K]

I use Solo1000 most of the time for local matches and practice, but use a slightly more consistant (temp, etc at the chrono) VV N320 for big match ammo.

Mark

[Mark K]

Sorry - double.

Edited November 16, 2010 by Mark K

[trickpony]

All my practice and match loads are exactly the same when they come off the press... The only difference is that I case check 100% of my match loads now.

[MarkCO]

All my practice and match loads are exactly the same when they come off the press... The only difference is that I case check 100% of my match loads now.

Ditto

[Classic_jon]

I load the same and do the same things with the bullets but on the chamber check I am a bit more picky and anything that is not "perfect" does not go in the match ammo.

[johnny7]

All my practice and match loads are exactly the same when they come off the press... The only difference is that I case check 100% of my match loads now.

+1

[Sarge]

All my ammo is match ready. I gauge every round and keep it in a huge bin ready to go. All I have to do is box up enough for any match.

[bbbean]

I load the same and do the same things with the bullets but on the chamber check I am a bit more picky and anything that is not "perfect" does not go in the match ammo.

+1`

[blue edge]

All my ammo is match ready. I gauge every round and keep it in a huge bin ready to go. All I have to do is box up enough for any match.

+1

[Kyle O]

I had a bad experience once with some old powder (w231), where I loaded up about 800 rounds, and it made PF until about 6 months later, then it didn't.

Now, I confirm velocity with chrono just before a match, just so I don't sweat the chrono!

[Jake Di Vita]

At matches I don't use bullets that touch the ground....those are dropped shots.

[XD Niner]

My practice and match ammo are exactly the same. However, when I'm shooting a major match I case check all the ammo.

I typically reload my 38 Super brass at least 8 times before shooting them at a match and leaving them where they lay. That's why I case check them. I'm just guarding against a split case, rough lip or a similar issue.

I use a Lee Factory Crimp die in the last stage of my XL650. I make sure that I really don't need it when I set the first three dies but it is excellent and cheap insurance. That's why I never case check ammo for local matches although I do check for proper primer seat depth.

[blaster113]

Practice and local match loads for Limited .40 get 180 grain BBI moly's, mixed brass and whatever SR primers I have on hand; bigger matches get Remington brass with Hornady HAP bullets and Federal SR primers. Major match rounds are also case gauged.

[norbs007]

All my ammo is match ready. I gauge every round and keep it in a huge bin ready to go. All I have to do is box up enough for any match.

+1 here.

[G-ManBart]

I load my ammo pretty much the same regardless of match or practice, with a few slight tweaks. First off, for big matches, I only use new brass with my Open guns. I spent $1500 to go to Nationals, I'm not taking chances on brass. Yeah, I've heard of cases without a flash hole, but the depriming pin should catch that. New cases give higher and more consistent velocities than even once-fired (even casepro'd). For Production, Limited and SS, I use once-fired 9 and .40, because I've got piles of both...new would be better, but free is hard to ignore.

When I'm loading up for a big match, I load 100, chrono (two strings), and zero check it. Then, I load up however many I need for the match, plus another 100. I'll detail clean my gun at this point. I keep the last 100 separate, then chrono (one string only), zero and function check with that 100. That way, if anything happened to the press while I was loading the ammo for the match, I'll know it by shooting the last 100. So, at this point, I've got a batch of known-quantity ammo, in a gun that's quite clean, but known to be functioning properly....best combination to have in the holster when the first beep of the match happens. That's why I never, ever think "hope my gun works" when I step to the line. If I'm going to practice after this point, I use the backup gun, which will get a good cleaning before I leave for the match if I've shot more than a couple hundred rounds through it. I can live with not function firing the backup gun before heading to the match (although I will, if at all possible).

Every round gets case gauged, then put in a Dillon box so I can check the primers one last time. I guess that just shows I'm a bit overboard about ammo, but it's worked perfectly for me and I have no reason to change.

I'll admit that if I'm really pressed for time before a big match, I won't case gauge my practice ammo, but I'm using brass that's only been fired in my guns (I mark them) and counted how many times they've been loaded. I don't like doing that, but sometimes it's better to have that hour on the range. R<

[blaster113]

also use the same powder for both local match/practice and major matches; plan to order Solo 1000 for locals/practice and N320 for major matches when I get the $$$ for a bulk order

[Mark K]

All my ammo is match ready. I gauge every round and keep it in a huge bin ready to go. All I have to do is box up enough for any match.

Yeah, I do gauge all my ammo with one of those EGW 50 round 40SW blocks. With so little practice time, I do not want to waste any of it with jams, etc.

Mark K

[Seth]

I do the same thing no matter what. Spot case gauge a few, check for high primers, that's about it... never had a failure.

[feederic]

Thanks for the info everyone. I guess that settles my curiosity

G-ManBart, that does sound like a great strategy! I think I may adopt that one.

[steel1212]

Thanks for the info everyone. I guess that settles my curiosity

G-ManBart, that does sound like a great strategy! I think I may adopt that one.

Treat locals like majors and the majors come naturally. Everything the same.

[GrumpyOne]

Thanks for the info everyone. I guess that settles my curiosity

G-ManBart, that does sound like a great strategy! I think I may adopt that one.

Treat locals like majors and the majors come naturally. Everything the same.

Very well put. Treat every match like the Nationals, ammo wise.

[DyNo!]

I load practice ammo at a brisk pace.

I load match ammo with Issac Hayes playing in the background while using an extra smooth stroke.

I inspect practice ammo for safety.

I inspect major match ammo to the point of paranoia.

[Neomet]

For big matches I use newer brass, case gauge every round, and sit each round down on on our marble countertop. Wobblers go into the practice/local match ammo box. If I am feeling particularly frisky and not shooting JHPs I will run the loaded rounds through the the tumbler again for a bit just on the theory that any loose primers will get jostled out. Haven't found one yet, but it gives the wife one more thing to giggle at me about.

[kevin c]

Match ammo is the same as what I usually shoot in club matches, but with once fired single headstamp brass, extra QC plus a couple tweaks to satisfy the OC in me.

I CasePro all my brass, but will still case gauge every round going to a major match. Since having a problem with high or tilted primers, even after fixing the problem with a new shell plate on my SDB, I've gotten into the habit of double setting (push to seat, turn the case and push again) the primers for major match ammo - gets 'em good and deep in the pocket.

Since I run my Production loads at 135 PF with long established and previously chrono'd recipes, I don't chrono my match ammo any more, though I will shoot groups to be sure the gun is on (and it always has been, with the fixed S/W sights).