Fixing deformed brass ...

[Tikka223]

I just bought a Benelli MR1 and took it out to the range for the first time. I plan on reloading for it and have ordered a Redding full length resizing die and I already have a Lee collet die and Forstner bullet seater. I've run into an unexpected problem: the MR1 seems to be ejecting the brass with so much force that the brass bounces off the side of receiver and about 60% of the cases are getting serious dents / deformation of the throat or the case (the hole were the bullet goes is no longer a circle). Any ideas on how to fix the brass?

I'm thinking that I can use some pliers to pull the throat back into shape then use the collet die to fix the outside dimensions and then seating the bullet would fix the inside dimensions. I'm also thinking that this is too much of a cave-man solution that could blow up in my face.

 

[Moose308]

If I am understanding your situation correctly, you are saying the cast mouth/neck is getting dinged or dented? If that is the case, then your reloading die should reform this into a true circle during the resizing step, as the die will have a "pin" inside it which will expand the case mouth and reform it round.

If you are not refering to the case mouth/neck, then I am not sure.

 

[iceman2]

Just run them through your resizing die , the resizing plug should round them out just fine

 

[FLHTCUI]

If I am understanding your situation correctly, you are saying the cast mouth/neck is getting dinged or dented? If that is the case, then your reloading die should reform this into a true circle during the resizing step, as the die will have a "pin" inside it which will expand the case mouth and reform it round.

If you are not refering to the case mouth/neck, then I am not sure.

Just run them through your resizing die , the resizing plug should round them out just fine

There you asked and answered , but if your really concerned , why not add a picture of the damage?
Another reminder when re-sizing is to not use to much case lube or you will dent the case during the re-sizing step.
The air will not be able to escape fast enough on the up stroke of the ram.
Tight Groups and Happy Reloading.
Rob

 

[mbogo3]

If the case mouth is semi-crushed out of round take a live round and insert bullet tip into open case mouth.Wiggle it around until the mouth is back were it was then FL size.Harold

 

[zuke]

I use a set of needle nose plyer's to round out case mouth's.
Work's like a charm!

 

[mmattockx]

Just run them through your resizing die , the resizing plug should round them out just fine

That assumes they will go into the sizing die without piling up on the mandrel on the way in. If OP's brass looks like my garand brass, it will need the case mouths opened up enough to actually go into the die without being destroyed in the process.

I use a phillips screwdriver to open the mouths up on my Garand's brass, but the needlenose pliers and bullet suggestions would probably work better on the smaller .223 case mouth.

Here is a pic of some 30-06 brass from my Garand to illustrate the deformations involved:

A number of those cases will simply pile up and be destroyed if the mouths are not opened up, especially the one bottom left in the box.

OP, is this what yours look like?

Mark

 

[iceman2]

This is where a taperd resizing manderel has its advantages. If they are extremely defromed a pre-forming would help. Without seeing them or knowing what kind of die is being used, hard to be accurate.

 

[Tikka223]

Thanks for the advice. I've only ever reloaded for my Savage bolt gun and I used fireformed cases with the collet die so I've never come across this problem. When I ordered the Redding full length die it didn't specify if the die had any bushings to fix the throat / neck so I wasn't sure how to proceed.

Looks like I can fix my brass. Thanks!

 

[mmattockx]

Thanks for the advice. I've only ever reloaded for my Savage bolt gun and I used fireformed cases with the collet die so I've never come across this problem. When I ordered the Redding full length die it didn't specify if the die had any bushings to fix the throat / neck so I wasn't sure how to proceed.

Looks like I can fix my brass. Thanks!

The full length die sizes the entire case from base to the mouth. You just have to open the mouths up enough that they fit over the mandrel without getting torn or folding up. If they start ok and get over the mandrel then they should turn out OK.

Make sure to use some case lube inside the necks as well, it helps the mangled ones straighten out easier and reduces the chances of it tearing or catching.


Mark