Case separation false alarm? TRG-42 and 338 LM

[paulnyc]

After resizing using a full body die, I noticed a bright ring just above the head on all of my cases:

I called the sinclair reloading experts and they said this was likely due to not enough lube on the cases. Being a little sceptical I searched out issues involving case head separation on the internet and it looked like that is what I was about to experience if I used the cases again. What I then did was disect the case (I had seen pictures of what a case looks like from the inside pre-separation on another website) There is a great video by ammosmith on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YE0A5IsR1dA

when i cut open the case this is what I found:

The case looked perfect. So it doesn't appear to be case head separation.


Am I right - I would welcome any thoughts or comments.

I am shooting a TRG-42 .338 Lapua - just standard reloads, nothing hot. Brass was reloaded about 3 times.

Thanks guys!!

Tarsier

 

[treebasher]

Re: Case separation false alarm? TRG-42 and 338 LM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: paulnyc</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I called the sinclair reloading experts and they said this was likely due to not enough lube on the cases.</div></div>

+1

Good to be careful and not have a case "sneeze" in your face

 

[Lt. Arclight]

Re: Case separation false alarm? TRG-42 and 338 LM

I've loaded 6K rounds of 338LM-NEVER had an issue with Lapua brass-even with 18-22 loads per case. I have sacrificed cases in the past-only to find out that "tell tale ring"-didn't tell shit.

On the other hand, better to be safe than have 90+ grains of Retumbo giving you a SHAVE.I prefer to clean the cases well and "feel" for the erosion in the case. I've had them with 50BMG but not with the 338LM.

 

[madd0c]

Re: Case separation false alarm? TRG-42 and 338 LM

I've had a case head seperation in an m1a with only 4 firings on LC brass. I now use the bent paperclip for all my gas gun ammo cases as a step in brass prep to feel for the "ledge" even when I don't see a bright ring. I have trashed several batches of brash just because I wasn't sure if there was a ledge or not.
Just like Arclight said, I definitely am in the "better safe than sorry" camp after that case head seperation. Luckily it was in battery when the seperation occured.

Even so, I feel your pain with bandsawing a $3 piece of 338 brass.

Stay safe, a $3 piece of brass is alot cheaper than $30k in plastic surgery for your hands or face.

madd0c