Catch-22

THIS ^^ I too also use the Sinclair Expander Die & Mandrels. I remove the expander button from my full length dies because they overwork the brass and rip the neck out of shape. Think about the brass going up into the die; on the upward stroke of your press, the expander button is pushed through the neck, opening it. The die then shrinks (sizes) the neck down. Then on the downward stroke of the press the expander button is pulled through the neck, opening it up again. With an expander mandrel and die you’re only pushing the mandrel through the neck once, producing a very minimum size (giving normally around 0.02” neck tension). Therefore the expander mandrel works the neck less and gives a more precise (and minimum) neck tension.

I’ve always found the VLDs do exceptionally well when jumping them a huge amount...like Grand Canyon sized jump. I think lots of people get issues or call them finicky because they try and seat them near the lands. VLDs have a very small bearing surface, much shorter than most bullets, so seating long (to reach the lands) means there’s less bearing surface in the case neck...so poor alignment with the bore. Jump them and they shine.

Bump

I would concur with the post above ☝️ I got one of those annealers from Lubo a few years ago and it’s great. It just works! I have .308w and .338L discs and I anneal .223ai, 6.5x47, .303, 30-06, .300wm and .338Norma Mag without issue. I like to do a bulk batch and it’s very quick and efficient.

Not limited to checking a rifles bore, I see it’s also helpful for safe cracking! 💰🔓

Yeah, the Teslong is very good for the money. Ive found it really helpful for keep an eye on carbon rings.

I visited Paul today and all I can say is he’s a true gent. Buy with confidence - great seller! Thanks again Paul - have a lovely Christmas 🎄

Interesting. I’m with Gwent Police and I’ve just checked my FAC. My under leaver is listed as “LEAVER ACTION”. I do remember writing ‘Under Leaver Rifle’ on my variation but i suspect when the FEO digitises the details, they select a pre-defined value from their list on the system. I’ll keep an ear out for a call in case - thanks for the heads up!

Two articles (3rd waiting in the wings) all about this subject on PRB. You probably know this but ES is only one metric to consider and probably isn’t the most important one either. https://precisionrifleblog.com/2020/11/29/statistics-for-shooters/

Non licensable gun parts can be posted no problem. It’s only things like chambered barrels, receivers, bolts and sound suppressors that cannot. So as you say, muzzle brakes and pistol grips are fine. Spent ammunition is also fine. Though I’d personally suggest that if it’s a ‘dummy round’ (as in it has a bullet seated in the neck but no powder) then I’d use a case without a primer, spent or otherwise, because we all know how ridiculous or uneducated the authorities and non firearms people can be on these things. And to that end, I personally wouldn’t go into detail what the consignment contains in the description. I’d just say something like ‘sporting goods’ if shipping non licensable gun parts. Or ‘brass metal bits’ for spent cases or ‘lead metal bits’ for bullets. Ive always used MyHermes for these sorts of things and never had any issues.

@brown dog Tagging you in to help if you haven’t already.

Bump

2400 is a good powder but is generally used to get max velocities in cartridges such as the .44mag. You might run into leading issues if pushing velocity/pressure without gas checks. I wouldn’t push the charges tbh. Thats the core reason for going with a faster powder, a small charge to keep velocity/pressure low (a powder puff load...bit like a cowboy action load) which is perfect for 25m-75m as there’s no recoil and perfect for lead. Good luck. Burning through 200-300 rounds in a session is just too easy and too much fun.

I don’t use gas checks in my .44mag underleaver. I use a 240gn cast bullet from Shellhouse Company and keep velocities down to a pootle speed with a mid-upper charge of Viht N340. I do have some Alox lube but haven’t used it as I’ve found the lube on the Shellhouse bullets to be just fine, especially when keeping speeds down. Happy Days!

When I wrote to my MP (Labour) about the proposed 50cal ban, the response I got was that “despite all the arguments, even sensible ones, our party blankly don’t believe in 50cal weapons and so we won’t be taking your comments to the commons”. Waste of time!

Yeah, I think with the ITAR changes, muzzle brakes are no longer handled by ITAR but controlled by Department for Commerce and can be more freely/easily exported under EAR99. Obviously no issue U.K. side as it’s a non licensable component. Not sure if all US firms either know this or have adapted to the change, but Area419 is one that has.

Check out Area419 - they manufacture a host of different ARCA rail options; https://www.area419.com/product-category/accessories/arca/ They also do post to the U.K. - just last week I bought my 3rd Sidewinder Muzzle Brake (which are just stunning)!

I’m resurrecting this thread. Does anyone have any .300wm load advice, specifically those of you who have/had an AI AWM? Im thinking I’ll still try Viht N165 and the 190gn SMK, 190gn and 200gn MME custom bullets from Peter and also the 208gn ELDM - because I’ve got them to hand. Though I conceded the 208gn may not be ideal given the somewhat silly 1-11” twist. Thanks!

Beautiful rifle & kit - looks lovingly maintained. That will be a real treat for someone. Have a bump! Good luck with your sale 👍

I used a thick neoprene type mouse mat (is about 3mm thick and has a fine but tough fabric on one side) that I cut to shape and super glued to the cheek riser on my Eliseo chassis. Works a charm, hasn’t freyed or come loose at all, despite handling and poor weather.

Get your evidence straight and take it to the small claims court. Only way you’ll get anything back.

Fair dinkum, didn’t realise you were using the AR platform.

My simple mind says just give it a go. If the primer is seated deep enough and goes 💥 without piercing primers or hang fires, then I’d not worry about it.

Not if you have smaller quantities decanted, per the OPs suggestion.

Oh if only you were in S Wales 😭