Question about bright circle on the bottom of case (newbie)

B

BigK75

New member
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
London
Hey Guys:

I have a quick question. I am fairly new to the reloading game. I have noticed that my 223 cases (once fired) shot from a brand new T3 Tikka have a bright yellow line going all the way around after using the resizing die. This line is just above the bottom of the case, I would say about 1/4-1/6 of the way up. Is this normal? I've read about case separation and am deathly worried about it and so I thought I should double check. I can include pictures if it helps.
 
Great to hear, thanks for the quick response shootist22-250.

I guess I will go back downstairs and continue reloading :)

Claude
 
BigK75 said:
Hey Guys:

I have a quick question. I am fairly new to the reloading game. I have noticed that my 223 cases (once fired) shot from a brand new T3 Tikka have a bright yellow line going all the way around after using the resizing die. This line is just above the bottom of the case, I would say about 1/4-1/6 of the way up. Is this normal? I've read about case separation and am deathly worried about it and so I thought I should double check. I can include pictures if it helps.
Click to expand...

Big,
What you are describing does sound like incipient head separation. The brass is stretching at the thin point formed in the case at the junction of the base and and case walls. The bright line is the stretched brass, beyond its elastic limit.

It could be other not so dangerous things, so a picture would help sort this out..

It stretches because the case is too short for the chamber and the pressure of firing blows the shoulder forward and the base rearward and the brass stretches at the thin point between the base and walls.

You have likely pushed the shoulder of the brass back much more than 1-2 thousands of an inch in your full length sizing operation. You should move you sizing die out of the press till you just can seat a sized case into your chamber without fighting the bolt hard.

If it is incipient case head separation, these ringed brass will likely crack and separate in 1 or 2 more firings. I wouldn't shoot them again.

NormB
 
Last edited:
Do not worry about it, it's normal on FL sized brass, even once fired. If you want to get more accuracy and longer case life, get a collet neck sizing die from Lee. You don't have to lube the cases, and they will rarely require trimming. Much more efficient loading for bolt actions. For FL sized brass in .223, I would probably chuck it out after 5 or 6 loadings if you are shooting hotter loads.
 
take a pic and post so others can see it. show a before and after photo please.

my FL die also leaves a shiny ring about 1/4 the way up. but pictures will show if thats what it is, or something else.
 
It's been said.

Norm B has got it correct and very well described. Just follow his instructions and you should have no trouble.
 
Once fired brass in a miltary chamber like an FN or Lee Enfield will show a ring and it is normal. Sizing any brass will show where the die ends in the same way.

Take a paper clip or something similar and rub it inside the case. If you feel a difference then the walls are getting thin and scrap the brass.
 
Straighten out a paperclip and snip one end at a 45 degree angle to make a sharp point, then bend the pointed end at a 90 degree angle so you can insert it in the case mouth and feel along the inside of the case where the bright ring is.

If it's case head separation, you'll feel the gap/groove/trench thing on the inside of the bright ring. If it's just a sizing mark, the inside will be smooth, maybe a little gritty from powder residue.
 
NormB said:
Big,
What you are describing does sound like incipient head separation. The brass is stretching at the thin point formed in the case at the junction of the base and and case walls. The bright line is the stretched brass, beyond its elastic limit.

It could be other not so dangerous things, so a picture would help sort this out..

It stretches because the case is too short for the chamber and the pressure of firing blows the shoulder forward and the base rearward and the brass stretches at the thin point between the base and walls.

You have likely pushed the shoulder of the brass back much more than 1-2 thousands of an inch in your full length sizing operation. You should move you sizing die out of the press till you just can seat a sized case into your chamber without fighting the bolt hard.

If it is incipient case head separation, these ringed brass will likely crack and separate in 1 or 2 more firings. I wouldn't shoot them again.

NormB
Click to expand...
X2 or X3. A very bright distinct line of that nature usually indicates an excessive thinning of the brass and differes from the mark left by the sizing die. This is especially true when you notice the bright ring appearing on an extracted case right after firing.
 
If you are worried the "ring" showing on the case is from thinning just cut one open and check. (I personally think what you are seeing is the mark that shows up where the solid base joins the case wall.) Here is a pic of some cases that I cut down after their useful service life was over. The thinned portion is very visible just above the web.

49case_head_separation.JPG
 
Also, as an internal "ring" detector a bent paper clip does work but I find my home-made tool fashioned from a worn-out chain file works better.

49Case_head_separation_detector_long.JPG
 
Is this the line you are talking of?
bulletcrop.jpg

Pic is alittle fuzzy, but if this is what you are talking about, check for head seperation, first. This brass in the pic is getting ready for its 11th loading, and there is no head seperation yet. Mind you I don't put any hot loads in it, never had to go that far to get what I was looking for. But I do F/L size everytime.

Perry
 
Hey 308:

Yes that is the line I am seeing, I noticed it was much worse before I polished it The line became very faint after polishing and looks like the one in your picture.
Claude
 
BigK75 said:
Hey 308:

Yes that is the line I am seeing, I noticed it was much worse before I polished it The line became very faint after polishing and looks like the one in your picture.
Claude
Click to expand...

Before this brass was cleaned the line was very noticable also! Remember...Safty first, check for head seperation!...If your brass has been loaded only 1-3 times I don't think there should be to much of a problem. Happy loading!!

Perry
 
BigK75 said:
Hey Guys:

I have a quick question. I am fairly new to the reloading game. I have noticed that my 223 cases (once fired) shot from a brand new T3 Tikka have a bright yellow line going all the way around (((after using the resizing die.)))
Click to expand...

If you get the line after shooting the cartridge then its head seperation.If you get the line after resizing the brass dont worry about it. You say its after sizing so as others have stated its normal.Keep going.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom