WWB Reloading Issue?

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corner27

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I bought a .223 a couple months ago. I knew I was going to get reloads done for me, so I figured I would buy some cheap WWB rounds at $0.50 each and shoot them first rather than just buy brass as $0.35 each.

The guy that reloaded them for me said he had a harder time with the WWB brass. Below is a picture of what some of them did. He said it's not a big deal, and the dents would even out once I shoot them.

Does anyone have some advice on what would cause this? Should I stick to buying bulk brass rather than buying the WWB?

photo2.jpg

photo1.jpg
 
They look like lube dents. Too much lube on the case. Usually they are highter on the neck shoulder area. Have him check the inside of his die for excess lube build up or a blocked vent hole if his die has one. No harm to shoot them. As for buying new vs once fired I wouldn't sweat it.
 
I had read about the excess lube. The thing is, he reloaded 3 different types of brass in the same batch, and the winchester brass were the only ones that dented.
If it's not a big deal, then I won't worry about it.
 
Looks like to much lube to me too.
Try another brand of factory ammo to re-claim the brass.
There are subtle differences in dies as well, the air escape hole could be smaller between die makers or the hole could be partially blocked with crap.
So, you see it sometimes isnt as simple as the brass or the person doing the reloading.
As you mention the three different brass in same batch, how was the accuracy at the range ?
Eventually those dents will cause you to question the results you maybe expecting and not materializing.
Tight Groups,
Rob
 
Could there be some other explanation than too much lube? Sure, but the odds are very small. That just one make of brass was dented can be explained in a number of ways.

Buying cheap ammo, firing it and reusing the brass is a pretty good idea.

It can be fired with no problem.

If your reloader is a friend, buy him a present, a tin of Imperial Sizing Die Wax. Little tin about 2" across, like a shoe polish tin. Tiny, tiny amount will do a super job of lubing and the odds of dents are much reduced. All he has to do is lightly tap a fingertip on the wax and then roll the case between his fingers.
 
Yup ... definitely Lube Dents. I've reloaded for years, and I don't know what it is about WWB brass, but those cases just hate lube. Mine did the same thing until I dropped the lube levels down to virtually non-existant - at one point I even resorted to only lubing every 3'rd or 4'th case ... just enough to keep a hint of lube in the die. For the most part, grahpite in the necks is all that seems to be needed with those brass.

The good thing is, as long as they chamber for you, they should work just fine. The only caution would be if you are running loads close to max, I'd watch for pressure signs (primers cratering, stuck shells, etc..) since there is a measurable difference in case volume with those dents in them, and that could lead to pressure spikes - though in my experience, it's less commmon in the smaller cases like 223's as it is in the larger 22-250, 270, 30_'s

Bottom line, if I knew and trusted the reloader, I'd have no problem dropping those into my gun and firing them.
 
Just another thought as to why only those dented. They are probably softer (more anealed) which is not a bad thing as they will last longer before cracking. +1 for the imperial sizing wax.
 
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