Shot my first test loads, confused on case signs

[Shooter_308]

Hey all, i finally got around to shooting my first batch of handloads and needless to say i'm pretty happy with the smallest group so far being .43" @ 100 yards and 168gr AMAX's. My concern now though is the fact i'm getting weird pressure signs on my brass from what i thought was a not-too-stout load of varget. I loaded the following:

168 & 178gr AMAX
New Winchester brass trimmed to 2.005"
Varget loads started @ 40gr up to 44.5 in .5 increments
Federal 210m Primers
COAL 2.800"

The 2 things i'm concerned about are the fact that each casing has a slight bulge around the web of the case. they're not terrible, but noticeable. You can see exactly where it is also as the coloring is a brighter brass colored band than the rest of the body. Also, i'm getting dark rings around the case necks. I did not tumble the brass first, so they are a little dirty.

There are no flattened primers, or craters from the firing pin, no cracked necks or case separartions. Just a slight bulge and the dark rings. What can you guys tell me about this? Headspacing issue? Improperly set sizing die?

What could i do to avoid this? I stopped @ 42gr so i have ~ 75 fully loaded cartridges left from 42.5gr-44.5gr powder loads. What do you guys think?

Any info is appreciated. You guys have been super helpful lately, and i appreciate it!

 

[turbo54]

Re: Shot my first test loads, confused on case signs

Looks normal to me...it is however, indicative of a fairly loose SAAMI chamber. No problem, just don't do a random FLS. Measure the bump and don't overdo it.

Based on the look of that primer and case head, I'd say you're safe to keep going into the heavier charges.

 

[leadbullet]

Re: Shot my first test loads, confused on case signs

well, accuracy is good, pressures are low so clean the brass and reload till the neck splits or primers fall off then buy more brass.
cheers.

 

[Doeboy]

Re: Shot my first test loads, confused on case signs

Normal too me, my fired 308's looks like too, never had any issue.

 

[Huckleberry75]

Re: Shot my first test loads, confused on case signs

Those look just fine.

 

[2Shots]

Re: Shot my first test loads, confused on case signs

Looks good to me, neck size some and see how they rechamber. If they are tight you may have to do what was suggested, bump the shoulder back and FL resize, but only enough to make it chamber easy. I wouldn't overwork the brass by FL resizing unless you don't care about case life. I usually only FL size when I want to insure a reliable feed, like when hunting or a big money match where a stuck case ruins a stage for you.

 

[targaflorio]

Re: Shot my first test loads, confused on case signs

That to me looks like where the case is not sized by the die. I can usually see discoloration that might be confused with a bulge.

 

[roggom]

Re: Shot my first test loads, confused on case signs

Looks good, rounded primers and no primer flow. Even under max load you may experience a little primer flow, for me I look for ejector marks (smiley face) and then back off a grain. Normally I find a node before I hit pressure.

Also if you have a chance, pick up a precision mic to help you with shoulder bump. http://www.sinclairintl.com/.aspx/sid=69...49006314_d_5599

 

[dlklamfo]

Re: Shot my first test loads, confused on case signs

Looks fine to me as well. Good shooting and good luck on the continued load development. Sounds like you have all the correct basics in your head.

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: Shot my first test loads, confused on case signs

Very normal for a factory chambered rifle. Unless shooting them in an auto-laoder, don't worry about using a small base die to iron this out. Neck sizing should be all that's needed until the rounds begin to chamber difficult.

Best die I've found so far to bump shoulders without altering case capacity is the Forster Neck Size/Shoulder Bump bushing die. I then use a separate expander die so I have uniform neck tension but don't work the body of the case any more than necessary.

 

[Shooter_308]

Re: Shot my first test loads, confused on case signs

Thanks everyone! Well ordered so Lapua brass last night because I wanna work up a slightly different load with it, being all the Win brass I have is now improperly sized. Turns out the gas rings are from the shoulder being too short and making a headspace issue. I realized his by doing the "feel test" by removing the firing pin and chambering a factory round opposed to my handloads. The factory loads required very little pressure to get the hand to seat home whereas the handloads would just allow the handle to drop with no effort, bad juju. So I'm going to redo my whole group test next week with the Lapua brass loads and see what I can get. I also picked up a Wilson headspace gauge to check for proper shoulder length. I'm going to be looking into a precision mic as well as the Forster neck die, I love the FL and seating die set I have from them, so I can only assume the neck die is just as awesome.

 

[turbo54]

Re: Shot my first test loads, confused on case signs

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Shooter_308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks everyone! Well ordered so Lapua brass last night because I wanna work up a slightly different load with it, being all the Win brass I have is now improperly sized. Turns out the gas rings are from the shoulder being too short and making a headspace issue. I realized his by doing the "feel test" by removing the firing pin and chambering a factory round opposed to my handloads. The factory loads required very little pressure to get the hand to seat home whereas the handloads would just allow the handle to drop with no effort, bad juju. So I'm going to redo my whole group test next week with the Lapua brass loads and see what I can get. I also picked up a Wilson headspace gauge to check for proper shoulder length. I'm going to be looking into a precision mic as well as the Forster neck die, I love the FL and seating die set I have from them, so I can only assume the neck die is just as awesome. </div></div>

If I'm reading you correctly, you're saying you think you sized your Winchester brass too much...

...which you probably did if you don't have any tools for measuring shoulder bump...

That definitely shortens case life, but I wouldn't retire that brass unless you've done it a bunch of times. Reloaders have been doing it for years! It's mainly the serious reloaders that pay attention to this detail.

Anyway, I wouldn't assume your test data is garbage! Lapua brass has a little less capacity, so it will change things, but only slightly in my experience.

Good luck, good shooting and have fun. Welcome to the addiction/affliction!

 

[Shooter_308]

Re: Shot my first test loads, confused on case signs

Exactly what I meant. Ohh I'm still holding onto it for future use. I just wanna start up a load with nicer brass, correct measuring tool etc.. Oh yeah it's already a crazy addiction haha but so rewarding when you can make a round the first time and hit .46"!

 

[plant.one]

Re: Shot my first test loads, confused on case signs

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Shooter_308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Oh yeah it's already a crazy addiction haha but so rewarding when you can make a round the first time and hit .46"! </div></div>

amen to that. i bought my reloading kit to save $$, did a ladder and found a nearly ¼" @ 100yd load for my ar and fell in love. its been all 'downhill' since then.

 

[Shooter_308]

Re: Shot my first test loads, confused on case signs

Basically i started for the same reason, as well as the ability to just be able to make ammo the night before a range trip, rather than have to plan it out a week in advance to get ammo in time. But boy oh boy is it more than i expected!And i absolutely love it.