22-250 bulge at base

handofzeus

handofzeus

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
61   0   0
Location
Trout Creekish Ontario.
On my fourth reload of winchester 22-250 brass and the latest batch isn't letting my handi-rifle lock. At first I thought it was the sharp edge of the shoulder from the Lee Loader die, but after filing it round it still wouldn't lock. It wasn't the case length either, so I covered the cartridge in marker and found that there was a bulge about 1/4" above the base that was keeping the case just out enough to prevent locking. I'll be getting a press in the future, but funds are virtually non-existent right now. Other than filing or sanding the bulge out (which will thin the case!) is there anything that might get me a couple more reloads, or should I try different brass?
 
If funds are an issue, try to find a Lee hand press with a set of regular dies. If you are not doing large volumes it will serve you well.
 
I had one case head seperate but that may have been from slamming the breech closed. It popped at the bulge so likely a combination of everything,...bulged case, partially locked breech resulting in improper headspace.
 
Are you loading to MAX levels? Bulging and separation at the base aren't good signs. Check your load in other loading books, and on the internet.
 
shouldn't have separation as you've only been neck sizing. The brass at the bulge isn't getting worked much, so it shouldn't be thinning. Still, something to check when you do FL size your cases; use a wire or a bent paperclip.

You probably won't get too many FL sized out of your brass though - the bulge can only form like that if there's give or springiness in your rifle's action, which will wear brass out quickly. All actions will have some spring to them; the H&R probably more than most, which makes it unsuitable for long brass life and/or very hot loads.
 
The loads aren't that hot. I had to bump them a touch because the Lee data was really conservative< to the point of mostly keyholes at 60M. The new loads, I forget how many grains offhand, are still less than the felt recoil of the off the shelf el-cheapo winchester white box with the 40 gr. bullet. Some of you mentioned the bulge being from a flexible action and now that I think of it, some of the brass had NO bulge. Makes me wonder if some of the issue is with the action unlocking BEFORE I filed the locking tab. She locks up great now, but I'm using the old brass still. Will try new brass next time out and see if the bulging starts to show again.
 
Glad you figured it out. I also ran into the same problem with my Savage Axis 22-250. Darn near sent it back to the factory to be checked out. Turned out to be: I was full length resizing, but I just needed to adjust my dies a little bit more than what was called for in the die instructions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom