headspace isues?

capt.t

capt.t

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I am new to reloading and I am reloading for my old savage 116 .300 win mag. I used all once fired brass (from my gun) and noticed a gold ring on all brass about 1/8 inch in front of belt. after I re-sized I noticed all brass were quite a bit longer than max length in the book. so I trimmed with the rcbs trim die and file. made up 30 rounds all less than max loads. 2 round out of 30 had split at the gold ring after being fired. is this common after one re-load? what is causing the cases to stretch so much, and the gold ring? is this too much headspace? and how do I measure head space?
I used federal brass.
 
"...common after one re-load?..." No. How hot is your load?
Headspace doesn't get measured. Just checked. The guages check tolerance, but don't measure anything.
Federal brass is known for being softer than other makes, but it should still last longer than two reloads. Having the headspace checked wouldn't be a bad idea.
 
Excess headspace causes the ring you refer to and the longer case.
By the sound of it, yours is pretty bad. The gauges referred to are steel, shaped like a dummy cartridge. A normal chamber should accept a "go" gauge, but the "no go," being longer, will not go in a normal chamber.
Your rifle should be checked. If the "no go" will go in the chamber and the bolt close, then a gunsmith should should correct your headspace.
 
headspace

You could be oversizeing the brass. You may be pushing the shoulder back to much. Back of your die until sized case will not chamber then turn it in a little at a time until case will chamber. If you size your cases with die set up this way it should cure your problem.
 
The round headspaces on the belt. Some makes of brass are terrible at holding a tollerance on where they put the bolt.

After you fire the first shot, the shoulder will be in the right place to take over the job of locating the case for tight headspace.

After the first shot, just neck size 90% of the neck and the brass will last a long time.

The problem is the brass - not the rifle.
 
thanks for the tips. I get that gold ring on new brass, factory loaded ammo. I also cant get this gun to shoot under 2" at 100 yards. could that also be an indication, or caused by too much head space. I will be looking to get some of those headspace guages. any tips on where to get them? how much will they cost? or would it be more practical to take to a gunsmith and get them to check?
 
I would have a gunsmith check the headspace. why spend the money on expensive gauges you will use once to find out you have to take it to a smith to solve excess headspace? If you are getting the ring on new factory, I would try another manufacturer to see if the same thing happens. If no ring on another manufacturer, just reload by neck sizing and have fun. If the same happens, a trip to the smith is in the books for you.
 
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