Load Development and Fire-Forming: Can You Do Both at Once?
- info1447150
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
“Can I do load development while fire-forming new brass, or should I fire-form first?”
The short answer? Yes you can do both. But like everything in precision shooting, execution and context matter. Let’s break it down with practical examples.
🔥 What Is Fire-Forming and How Does It Affect Load Development?
Fire-forming is the process of reshaping brand-new or reformed brass to match the exact contours of your rifle’s chamber. That first firing “sets” the brass, especially the case head and shoulder, improving consistency and performance.
Here’s why it matters: When a cartridge is fired for the first time, some energy is used to expand and shape the brass. That energy doesn’t push the bullet, it goes into forming the case. The result? Reduced velocity, and data that might not reflect your true node.
🎯 Can You Do Load Development While Fire-Forming?
✅ Yes But Only If You Know What You’re Doing
If you're using high-quality brass like Lapua, Alpha, or Peterson and you're willing to make careful adjustments and then yes, you can do load development and fire-form at the same time.
But let’s be clear: You’re not developing a final powder charge, you’re developing for velocity. That means:
You’ll need a chronograph to track velocity changes.
You’ll adjust your charge later to maintain velocity as the brass becomes fully formed.
You’re shooting for consistent behavior, not perfection.
✅ Takeaway: Fire-forming doesn't mean throwing away performance, you just need to be smart about your brass, charge, and velocity expectations.
🧪 Field Example: Load Development for Fire-Forming 6.5 Creedmoor
We brought up a new 6.5 Creedmoor rifle with fire-forming loads and minimal prep specifically to avoid wasting time on loads that wouldn’t be used long-term.
🔧 Here's the approach:
Brass: New, unformed, not intended for long-term use.
Load Goal: Just enough accuracy and velocity to shoot a good group.
Powder: H4350
Bullet: 140gr Berger Hybrid
Max magazine length: 2.867” OAL
Distance from lands: 60–67 thousandths off (not touching)
Node Target: Low node, around 2650–2660 fps
Charge reduced by 5% from our known load.
Why? We want to work harden the case head without over pressuring it.
Instead of working toward a final load, we focused on identifying a consistent low node, then selected a charge (40.4 grains) that offered:
Low ES/SD
Predictable point of impact
Reduced risk of overpressure as the barrel sped up
💡 Why the low node? Because fire-forming is about consistency and case head work hardening, not pushing your barrel or brass to the limit on day one.
🧼 Best Practices for Prepping New Brass for Fire-Forming
To get consistent results when fire-forming, especially if you're using the loads for practice or competition, basic prep still matters:
🔩 Brass Prep Checklist:
Neck-turn (if needed) for uniform neck tension
Mandrel-expand the necks (unless they’re already loose then size first)
Trim, chamfer, and deburr
Tumble in corn cob media preferably used media with lube buildup
Skip neck lube unless you're seeing high seating pressure
🎯 What If You're Competing While Fire-Forming?
You can absolutely fire-form while shooting matches and it’s a great way to get twice the value out of your ammo.
Just remember:
Reduce your charge by 4–5%
Track your velocity, not just group size
Focus on repeatability, not edge-of-the-envelope performance
⚠️ Warning: Don’t use someone else's load, especially when fire-forming. One of our test rifles used a custom chamber with a long freebore. What works there may not be safe in a standard chamber.
🧠 The Bigger Picture: Good Rifles Shoot Well… Even Out of Tune
One of the most overlooked takeaways in load development?
A good rifle from a good gunsmith doesn’t shoot poorly even when it’s not perfectly tuned.
In our 6.5 Creedmoor example, all three 10-shot groups (40.2, 40.4, and 40.6 grains) stayed within 3/4 MOA, even when straying from the node.
Yes, 40.6 showed slightly higher pressure but ES/SD was lower, and vertical spread was tighter exactly what we want for fire-forming loads.
📝 Final Summary: Redleg’s Fire-Forming Formula
Want to fire-form AND develop loads at the same time?
Here’s the recipe:
Use quality brass from Lapua, Alpha, Peterson, etc.
Reduce charge by 4–5% from known match load
Focus on velocity tracking, not charge weight
Shoot low node first to harden brass without stress
Use a chronograph, especially during break-in
Retune after fire-forming to maintain velocity and harmonics
🎯 Take Your Reloading to the Next Level
Ready to dial in precision and consistency with every round? Download Redleg’s FREE Reloading Data Sheets — designed by shooters, for shooters. Whether you're fine-tuning loads for hunting or competition, our custom templates help you track your components, performance, and results like a pro.
📥 Click below to download your copy and start reloading with confidence!
📞 Call us at (507) 677-6007💻 Visit us at www.redlegguns.com📧 Email us at info@redlegguns.com