CB
posted this
18 March 2007
I agree with Dan to a point, I would stick with all of the same brand of brass, and some manufacturers brass seems to be better than others. I use strictly Lapua for this reason, and yes it did make a difference.
As for flyers, 2 things come to mind... Bullet Lube and Powder Charge. Of course the human factor can cause this as well.
I think consistency is the most important thing, whether it is powder charges or the shooter.
I personally weigh each charge (if I can) before each match. ( sometimes I don't have enough time and end up loading at the range and my performance shows it)
I use primers from the same lot, powder from the same lot.
I use only the bullets that have absolutely flat bases and small radius on the corner of the gas check.
Bullet lube... Boy this is an area that creates more disagreements than congress.
I make my own because I can't buy what I think is good competition grade lube. I have tried many if not all, with the exception of White Label caranuba red* in competition.(* only because I just learned of it)
Some lubes are made to stay on the bullet, but if a chunk comes off in flight, then you have an out of balance bullet and thusly a flyer.
Some lubes are made to come off in flight, but are usually so soft that in the prep (bumping and loading) that some of it comes off on your hands. Also the soft lubes do not stay on the bullet in warmer temperatures and in a hot chamber end up melting in the throat.
Personally I want my bullet to completely spin the lube off immediately on muzzle exit, I don't want anything interfering with it's flight downrange.
Look carefully at your target, are there any specs of lube spatter on it? If so that may be the cause of the flyer.
When you clean your rifle, does it take a long time to clean? How many patches do you run down the barrel to get it clean.
What caliber are you shooting, 30 BR, 308, etc... If you are shooting a factory cartridge maybe the powder position or burn speed could be causing the flyers.