Type of rifle brass used?
- Thread starter Czarface
- Start date
Different brands of brass cases have different internal capacities. A case with less capacity will develop higher chamber pressures (possibly dangerously higher). If you weigh your cases you may find as much as 15 to 20 grs difference in some brands. 308 military cases are approx. 20 grs heavier than most commercial cases. The Lyman loading manual recommended reducing loads in military cases by 2 grs. My personal experience in 45 yrs of reloading finds that pretty close to the truth. You will also find reference in several loading manuals about Weatherby brass. It has more capacity than say Rem or Federal brass in wby calibres. A max load for Wby brass will be an excessive load in a Rem or Fed case. I would suggest reducing the powder charge by 1 gr for every 10 grs heavier your case is than a case specified. Hope that helps.
TargetAcquired
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Most of my reloading is done with brass not used in the manual's test environment. Except 30-30 I guess, I do have Win brass for that. Sometimes even the trim-to length is (somewhat) negotiable. I also prefer magnum primers, which are rarely used in manual test environments. Manual data is a guideline.
As mentioned, just don't start at or near the max loads. Depending on what you are reloading for, you'll likely not want the max load anyway. Start on the lighter side and work up in 1/2gn increments until you find the load both you and your rifle can shake hands on.
As mentioned, just don't start at or near the max loads. Depending on what you are reloading for, you'll likely not want the max load anyway. Start on the lighter side and work up in 1/2gn increments until you find the load both you and your rifle can shake hands on.
yes they will have different internal dimensions. IMO it would be nice to see it have a standard.
you can use a different brand case just start a little low and work back up.
Example:
I had 30-06 Hornady case / 58.0g H4350 / 165G IB seated just off the lands 3.330" (powder not compressed)
I transferred the same load to a Federal case and the powder charge was compressed. Got pressure signs as well.
I started back at 55g and worked back up. Got to 57.2g and found pressure signs.
remember if you change any component in the reload you should back off the charge a little just to be safe
you can use a different brand case just start a little low and work back up.
Example:
I had 30-06 Hornady case / 58.0g H4350 / 165G IB seated just off the lands 3.330" (powder not compressed)
I transferred the same load to a Federal case and the powder charge was compressed. Got pressure signs as well.
I started back at 55g and worked back up. Got to 57.2g and found pressure signs.
remember if you change any component in the reload you should back off the charge a little just to be safe
This difference in brass weight is well known amongst knowledgable reloaders.
I have 7x57 cases from Winchester and from Remington [Also RWS and Norma]
The Norma are the lightest, and the Remingtons the heaviest. The difference is some 30 grains.
A safe load in the Winchester brass will loosen the primer in the Remington brass with one firing....too hot!!
Always be cautious when using non-specified components. Regardless, though, start down 6-10% and work up.
Enjoy! Dave.
I have 7x57 cases from Winchester and from Remington [Also RWS and Norma]
The Norma are the lightest, and the Remingtons the heaviest. The difference is some 30 grains.
A safe load in the Winchester brass will loosen the primer in the Remington brass with one firing....too hot!!
Always be cautious when using non-specified components. Regardless, though, start down 6-10% and work up.
Enjoy! Dave.
