Hey guys and gals. In to another reloading session and I've come across something on 2 pieces of brass I'm hoping you can help me with. I ha e a pic taken but cannot figure out how to upload it here. On the bottom part of the case, 0.26 from the bottom, one case is cracked and the other has a dark line there. Any help on identifying what I'm doing wrong to cause this is greatly appreciated.
Looking for help
- Thread starter Wilcoroger
- Start date
Is the crack horizontal or vertical?
If horizontal, it sounds like you are experiencing case separation. You are sizing your brass too much.
You may need to back your FL sizing die out a bit.
Do not use any case that shows a shiny ring above the solid case head. This ring usually will not go
right around the case. I try not to set a shoulder back any more than .0015" when I FL size my cases.
Dave.
If horizontal, it sounds like you are experiencing case separation. You are sizing your brass too much.
You may need to back your FL sizing die out a bit.
Do not use any case that shows a shiny ring above the solid case head. This ring usually will not go
right around the case. I try not to set a shoulder back any more than .0015" when I FL size my cases.
Dave.
Ok. The crack is horizontal. I have a single stage press so I set the die as the directions say. Those 2 case won't be used anymore anyway. The directions say to extent the press cylinder, and screw the die in until it touches the top of the shell holder. Lower the cylinder and cycle again, you should feel a slight can over. That's the way I have it set right now
- Location
- Western Manitoba
On my Rockchucker press that is pretty much how I set my dies, if I do not try to do a "partial sizing" for a particular rifle's chamber. I might even back off that ram and give the die another 1/16 turn. But, I agree fully with previous post - what you describe is classic head separation within that case - take a flashlight and look way in there - or sharpen end of wire and bend it - maybe 1/8" long - and "feel" - likely see or feel a groove just above the solid case head. Did not read what cartridge that you discovered this in - way more common on a rimmed or belted cartridge - they headspace way at back of the case on the rim or the belt - basically, their headspace has nothing to do with chamber shape. So quite possible on those for the case body to get "stretched" forward as that cartridge fires. Is done on the first firing - classic on a 303 British with an opened up WWI chamber - no coming back - once that groove is in there - on the inside, that case is going to come apart - next loading or whenever. Tightening down your die will make no difference. But not the same issue on a beltless or rimless case - different headspace design.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
The groove that I was thinking about is on the inside of the case - not always can be felt on the outside - depends on your cartridge to chamber fit. Looking at loading manuals, I think the 6.5 Creedmoor is a rimless case - I do not own one. I do not know how you are creating "incipient head separation", but you did, in those two cases. You really aught to be inspecting your others. I would have expected, with "sane" pressure loads, that a 6.5 Creedmoor would have lasted for at least half dozen or more reloads before retiring - sort of similar to a 308 Win that might go 20 reloads - and that would have been due to primer pockets getting loose or splits at the case mouth. I do not recall experiencing case head separation with a rimless case - others will have to chime in how that is done...
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Your load - 45 grains of Sta-ball 6.5. You do not mention bullet used, case used or primer used - it can all matter. Hornady 9th does not list that powder with any bullet weight in 6.5 Creedmoor. Nosler 9th lists it only with 150 grain bullets at 43.0 grains max. Be certain where-ever you got your information, that it is pressure tested and reliable. You have at least two blown (or at least cracked) cases to show that something is afoot...
Sorry. I'm using 143 gr. Eldx Hornaday projectiles with CCI 200 large rifle primer. Yes that load is hot. My manual doesn't list staball 6.5 either. I purchased the rifle used and the guy said he worked up the load and that was the most accurate. The Hogdon website list max charge at 43.5 grains. Maybe I will step it down.
You are oversizing the cases. Back off the die a couple of turns, take a fire formed case & smoke the shoulder in a candle flame (bic lighter or a match also works) then screw the die down slightly, about an 1/8 of a turn and run the case into the die and check if the shoulder has contacted the die. Play with the die setting until the mark on the smoked shoulder tells you to stop screwing the die in any further. You are looking for a light mark not a real heavy mark. Try the case in the gun when the case chambers with very little or no resistance then you have the case properly resized to fit your gun with minimum shoulder bump or set-back. Either this or buy a bunch of expensive measuring tools.
When sizing brass that has been fired in the same rifle, there is no need to full length size the case. Back the sizer die out 2 full revs. Size a few cases this way and check to see that they still chamber easily. If they do, use this setting. Brass will last longer.
You need to check all your brass before continuing. Hot loads are just going to burn your barrel out faster and is hard on your brass, as you have noted. As a rookie, you should give yourself some margin to work with, I'm sure you can find another sweet spot a few grains down. Thats the joy of reloading!
I will get the calipers right now and check all the dimensions.
I will try. Thanks for the advice
