Posting on behalf of Ron R, sorry about the pic size, please edit!

[TimC]

Now I have given him my opinion so here is a cut and paste of his email to me, please be gentle he has only recently started reloading.

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I don't know if I have a problem or not...

I have read a few threads regarding case head separation and the talk of
"generous" chambers for the Lee's and I have got some more questions.

(Remember, I am new here and a novice at reloading. Neck resizing with
Lee Loader)

See attached pictures.

The first picture indicates 6 cases. The group listed #1 have been fired
twice. [factory, then 1 reload, all Imperial cases]. #2 is loaded for a
third firing. #3 is an Imperial "Saber Tip?" I believe...and #4 is an
Imperial I dunno???

The second picture indicates the difference in shoulder shape from a
factory load to one that's been through my Lee. Too me its interesting.

My questions are as follows...

1. Is that similar to others...in other words is that amount of change
in the shoulder expected? Or do I have something that's a cause for
concern?

2. With the above question in mind, group #1 has powder residue on the
necks with no particular pattern from case to case. Is that just a
dirty chamber or do reloads spit back more powder residue? [My brother
in law who reloads was not concerned but he's got a custom 300 mag not
my Lee.] FYI I clean with a bore snake after every shooting session but
that may not be good enough?

3. I realize that there is no substitution for real head space
gages...but if I have none to very little case length change after a few
firings... is that any indication about head space?

Any help would be appreciated.

Regards
Ron R

I said that I thought his dies needed resetting, the dirt residue is common enough and can be hard brass not sealing the chamber fully.
Come on fellas, hes a long way from my help!

 

[agit-prop]

Re: Headspace, in .303 British it's measured at the rim, rather than the shoulder as you expect in .308, .30/06, other rimless cases. I am thinking therefore that the shape of the once fired brass at the shoulder has nothing (or very little) to do with headspace.

Re: Powder residue, I have similar results on most (if not all) of my brass. I beleive it is to be expected.

Note: I am not an expert on these subjects. I could be wrong.

 

[cosmic]

Well - Have a look at the responses in your post in the Gunsmithing section. The variance in shoulder dimensions is normal. Cases tend to "blow out" at the shoulder upon firing. This is intentional in the LE, and is what causes relatively short case life for reloaders...
Suggest you do a comparison of the shoulder height, from the base, between group 1, 2, and 3/4. Is 2 being sized more than a factory load? By partially resizing your cases, you are minimizing the setback of the shoulder, which is beneficial to accuracy, and case life.

 

[Nine]

 

[Ron R]

Thanks Tim and Nine and Cosmic

I got some answers from the gunsmithing forum. (I posted there because I was concerned that my problems may related to the tolerances of the rifle.)

Question #2 has been answered as well as #3 from other posts.

I guess that most of all the other Lees produce the same shoulder shape as what I have. I just wanted to make sure that someone else didn't have a "stop what you are shooting" statement.

Regards and Thanks again.

Ron R