I just tried to load some previously reloaded Norma brass( started its life as .308) in .338 Federal . over 30 of the cases were too wide at the neck to seat the bullet...( I could pull them out by hand)...I am relatively new to loading resized brass so I don't know what is happening here.Is this a sign that the brass is done?
Brass inside dimension is to large to seat bullet ?
- Thread starter sdlonyer
- Start date
Your brass may be too thin at the neck and does not resize properly. You can measure the bore (inside of the neck) and the wall thickness and compare it to you bullets and loaded a seated bullet into a case. Another way to verify it easily, resize a brass without the expander ball inside the die, then try seating a bullet.
Yup, could be wrong size expander ball(slightly on the large size), another possibility is that sizing the .308 brass up may stretch and thin the necks somewhat, if all else fails try another brand of .308 brass or better still, get some .338 fed. brass or .358 Win brass.
"Another way to verify it easily, resize a brass without the expander ball inside the die, then try seating a bullet."
I resized without the expander ball in place and they will all now seat the bullet. Thanks to all. It is great to be able to get help so quickly. Lots of useful suggestions. I wish I could find a source for .338 federal brass if only to have a reference point .
I resized without the expander ball in place and they will all now seat the bullet. Thanks to all. It is great to be able to get help so quickly. Lots of useful suggestions. I wish I could find a source for .338 federal brass if only to have a reference point .
Where?
You don't need to get factory ammunition. Just try, as suggested, another brand of .308 brass. I have sized many .308 up to .358 Winchester, and most brands will still have enough brass to hold the bullet firmly. A couple of brands wouldn't.
I had this problem loading for my 7mm Weatherby. After 4-5 firings and neck sizings, the bullets would fall into the case. I ran them through the die again with no expander ball, and problem solved. Then I annealed the necks and I can use the expander ball again.
Try annealing your necks.
Try annealing your necks.
