strange issue

[Shortdraw]

I am relatively new at handloading, but am having excellent results so far. This last batch I made has a strange problem. While shooting, I was having fliers to the right about 3/4". This has been a VERY accurate load, under 1/2" @100yds. I looked at my brass after a few of these fliers, and noticed that there was a carbon streak running all the way down the side from the case mouth to the rim. The whole rim is coated with soot. Somehow gas is escaping. The only thing different with this batch is it was once fired brass out of someone else's rifle. I full length resized, trimmed, and tumbled before loading these. My dies are set to barely bump the shoulder back. I shot 40 rounds and every one off the bullseye had these marks on them. My chamber was clean and dry, my brass was clean and dry. You can see the streaks down the cartridge on the bottom, and all the carbon on the rims. Any insight is appreciated as to the cause of this.

 

[270grdeerbullet]

Re: strange issue

It would help if you gave some more information What was the load was this a gas gun or a bolt is the chamber custom ect.

 

[Advokaten]

Re: strange issue

Old work hardened necks and low loads can cause gas leakege like that,

as I can make out your load and nr of reloads on the brass, then I´ll have to stop there.

/Chris

 

[Shortdraw]

Re: strange issue

Rifle is a Rem 700 5R all factory. Once fired federal brass. 41.6gr of RE-15 168gr SMK cci primers. Never had this happen before this batch. I'm thinking there's something up with the brass. I am going to try reloading this same brass. Maybe something off that the resizing die isn't fixing? Hopefully will be good now that they fireformed to my chamber? I have shot 240 rounds of this recipe made from once fired brass shot from THIS rifle. This is the first batch I have made from someone else's once fired brass.Still stumped.

 

[Top Cat]

Re: strange issue

It's likely not a big issue, your load is just a bit on the low side.

Chamber pressure has to be high enough for the brass to create a good seal on the chamber walls, and too low of a charge will do exactly what you are seeing. Your load is actually below the recommended start load of 42 gr.

If you increase your powder charge into the normal operating range the leaking should go away. Look at the sticky at the top and see what other guys are running.

Published load data indicates that 45 gr RL-15 is max for that bullet, but don't jump to that, work up gradually.

TC

 

[Advokaten]

Re: strange issue

"This is the first batch I have made from someone else's once fired brass."

You have a slightly longer chamber in your rifle than the other rifle has and or you have bumped the shoulder back further this time.

Your own brass is fireformed to you chamber by being shot through it.

and yes the load is lower than recommended starting loads at least from the data I have.

about 42,5 grains is the universal accuracy load for this bullet.

/Chris

 

[Top Cat]

Re: strange issue

Brass that is fireformed to your chamber would tend to seal better at the lower charge level.

TC

 

[Shortdraw]

Re: strange issue

So here's a scenario. The other rifle has a slightly shorter chamber than mine. When I sized the brass, my dies are set to bump back the shoulder on brass from my chamber. Since the other chamber is shorter, it is only neck sizing it. I haven't touched my resizing die since I first set it up. Combined with the low pressure, and short brass, it is leaking by. I really hate to change the load, because this shoots so good. I am using data from my Speer manual starting load 41 max 45. Maybe I can find another node at a higher charge?? I appreciate the responses. I will try reloading these now that they are fireformed. I will then likely work up the charge until I get good results. Thanks- MSD