I just bought 50 pieces of winchester brass that have never been fired. My problem is that some or these cases have way too much headspace (around 10 thou or more). Should I totally disregard this and load them up to get them firefomed to my chamber? Any response would be very helpful.
- Thread starter Blaktastic
- Start date
Re: Virgin brass question
Butt if the headspace is too big then what is fl sizing gonna do?
Butt if the headspace is too big then what is fl sizing gonna do?
Re: Virgin brass question
I've had a few come up short like yours and dropped the powder charge a hair and shot them with no problem. I dropped the charge just to be safe.
I've had a few come up short like yours and dropped the powder charge a hair and shot them with no problem. I dropped the charge just to be safe.
Re: Virgin brass question
Yes, I would shoot them at a lower charge, fire form them, and you are good to go.
That is a huge discrepancy though for new Win brass. You are saying they are 10 thou under SAAMI spec?
Yes, I would shoot them at a lower charge, fire form them, and you are good to go.
That is a huge discrepancy though for new Win brass. You are saying they are 10 thou under SAAMI spec?
Re: Virgin brass question
Well no I'm actually not sure because I measured them with a rcbs headspace gauge but some are 10 thou under what my fired brass is.
Well no I'm actually not sure because I measured them with a rcbs headspace gauge but some are 10 thou under what my fired brass is.
Re: Virgin brass question
You need to get a good case gauge that is SAAMI spec. Get a Dillon or Wilson but I would shy away from the Lyman, I've heard of problems with them.
You need to get a good case gauge that is SAAMI spec. Get a Dillon or Wilson but I would shy away from the Lyman, I've heard of problems with them.
Re: Virgin brass question
Ok, you probably just have a loose/large chamber. Factory rifle? That's the classic: factory rifle reamed to chamber everything, factory ammo/brass designed to chamber in everything. Fire form the brass at a moderate charge, then set the shoulders back .002" from the fired headspace dimension (for a bolt gun.) Are you using the RCBS Precision Mic? That's my favorite.
Ok, you probably just have a loose/large chamber. Factory rifle? That's the classic: factory rifle reamed to chamber everything, factory ammo/brass designed to chamber in everything. Fire form the brass at a moderate charge, then set the shoulders back .002" from the fired headspace dimension (for a bolt gun.) Are you using the RCBS Precision Mic? That's my favorite.
Re: Virgin brass question
Yeah I like it so far. I read a few bad things about the dummy round that came with it for overall length but I honestly I find it really easy and convenient.
Yeah I like it so far. I read a few bad things about the dummy round that came with it for overall length but I honestly I find it really easy and convenient.
Re: Virgin brass question
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: targaflorio</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ok, you probably just have a loose/large chamber. Factory rifle? That's the classic: factory rifle reamed to chamber everything, factory ammo/brass designed to chamber in everything. Fire form the brass at a moderate charge, then set the shoulders back .002" from the fired headspace dimension (for a bolt gun.) Are you using the RCBS Precision Mic? That's my favorite. </div></div>
Targaflorio brought up an interesting point about reseting the shoulders back when your neck sizing. The neck dies I have use a bushing to control the finished neck size. The size of the bushing is used to control the release of the bullet from the case neck. Does reseting the shoulders also aid in release of the bullet?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: targaflorio</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ok, you probably just have a loose/large chamber. Factory rifle? That's the classic: factory rifle reamed to chamber everything, factory ammo/brass designed to chamber in everything. Fire form the brass at a moderate charge, then set the shoulders back .002" from the fired headspace dimension (for a bolt gun.) Are you using the RCBS Precision Mic? That's my favorite. </div></div>
Targaflorio brought up an interesting point about reseting the shoulders back when your neck sizing. The neck dies I have use a bushing to control the finished neck size. The size of the bushing is used to control the release of the bullet from the case neck. Does reseting the shoulders also aid in release of the bullet?
Re: Virgin brass question
For 308 Win, the case headspaces on the shoulder. If the brass is fire formed in the same chamber, you can reload it without bumping the shoulders. Bolt gun. Gives the case a tight fit in the chamber. Too much shoulder bump will cause the case to move fore and aft more than necessary as the firing pin strikes the primer and the firing sequence begins. That will affect safety, accuracy, brass life, etc.
Headspace could affect the bullet release in that the position of the cartridge inside the chamber might vary as headspace changes. Also the orientation of the bullet as it is released.
For 308 Win, the case headspaces on the shoulder. If the brass is fire formed in the same chamber, you can reload it without bumping the shoulders. Bolt gun. Gives the case a tight fit in the chamber. Too much shoulder bump will cause the case to move fore and aft more than necessary as the firing pin strikes the primer and the firing sequence begins. That will affect safety, accuracy, brass life, etc.
Headspace could affect the bullet release in that the position of the cartridge inside the chamber might vary as headspace changes. Also the orientation of the bullet as it is released.
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