Every component in a live bullet is an important part of the whole. Our choice is about those 2 components that are stand-out in the various components making up a live round and are within a reasonable cost. Our choice focused on accuracy over low cost. Lower cost is a big part of why many reload; but we had to chose either accuracy or lower cost in order to substantiate our choice.
Our choice reflects on locally available components. For this reason powder is not a consideration because the cost effective choice is limited to Somchem.
When testing loads avoid the lucky rabbit’s foot syndrome, whereby, after having had a successful 2 or 3 shot group you stop you load development.
This week’s top gear choice in the category of reloading components is Laupa brass and Balistix bullets.
Firstly the brass – a quality case is vital in order to load accurate ammunition. Quality means it must be consistently good. Consistency in reloading is vital for accurate ammunition.
Reloading takes time and time has a cost irrespective of whether we load for a hobby or other. I consider the opportunity cost of time when reloading vs. buying ammunition off the shelf. “We say”, if you are spending long hours loading rounds then make that effort worthwhile and use premium components.
Laupa brass has exceptional consistency in case neck thickness. If you load with Laupa brass then neck turning is unlikely to make any difference on accuracy out to 300 / 400 m. With longer distances the discussion of neck turning gets more attention.
Neck turning is primarily carried out to remove high spots for a more consistent neck tension; and some competition rifles require a thinner neck diameter in order to chamber the cartridge. Many people new to reloading neck turn excessively – a too thin wall thickness has more negatives than positives.
You will hear people say buy cheap brass and turn the necks for better concentricity. What matters is that the whole case is concentric; you cannot make a bad case concentric by turning the neck.
Laupa brass does not require primer flash hole deburring. The flash hole of Laupa brass is drilled. If you buy brass where the flash hole is punched then you must deburr the virgin brass (one time only).
Uniform case volume reduces velocity spread. Sorting cases by weight is better than doing nothing, but the true test is to confirm volume consistency using water. I don’t generally validate case volume with water, BUT we did a volume test with a number of different brands and Laupa was the most consistent. Norma and RWS were also consistently good.
Our 2nd choice of a reloading component is a monolithic bullet. We chose Balistix. 
Reasons why we chose Balistix:
1:) a rebated boat tail gives the accuracy of a flat base at shorter distances and the BC benefits of a boat tail at longer distances,
2:) HBN coating (superior to Molly). The coating increases barrel life, reduces pressures, significantly reduces copper fouling and results in a lower velocity spread, especially between hot and cold bore shots,
3:) ogive before the bands is a benefit in measuring seating depths and helps fine tuning of bullet seating,
4:) smooth bullet seating, the bullet is rebated at the same angle as the brass mouth after chamfer,
5:) drive bands (not a grooved bullet) reducing the bearing surface and barrel friction,
6:) accuracy – in lead core bullets the outside surfaces might measure true but what matters is the concentricity of the inside lead core (not seen),
7:) proven in the field – effective killing and minimal meat damage,
8:) environmental benefits of copper over lead.
9:) carefully chosen bullet constructions limit the need for excessive bullet types. In reloading what matters is availability and staying with a winning horse. Most dealers availability of a manufacturer with excessive types and constructions will be “hit and miss” because of the investment needed to carry all.
Follow us on Facebook for our weekly choice of 2 items of Top Gear – next week we take a look at optics through a clear lens. The purpose is not that readers agree on our choice but rather focus on the logic we cover. A choice is subjective but logic should be objective (fact based).