case separation in an encore

[Dirtysteve]

I have been loading 22-250 with a 55 grain bullet behind 33grs varget. I have full length sized these cases. I have had several cases separate and several starting to show signs of separation. Could full length sizing them be causing this? I also tried my friends loads and had a few of his show the same signs. Any ideas?

[5Redman8]

What I have seen and experienced is the cases are stretched every firing due to the barrel/frame gap.  Unless you find a way to leave your cases long to take up most of this gap, cases will weaken with each firing.  My 280 AI is terrible about this, so I use 35 Whelen brass and set a secondary shoulder to hold the cartridge in place while fireforming.

Good Luck with the 22-250...maybe expand and resize to 22 seting a shoulder

Kyle

[KN]

How many times have you reloaded these? I usually get about seven loadings in mine with full power loads and full length sizing before I don't trust them any more.   KN

[Sean]

Sounds like another good T/C chamber. You might try reforming your brass from something longer like 243 or 260 brass. The idea that the other poster had about necking up then back down might work to. Try some .250 Savage brass. Sean

[RonF]

Back out your full length sizer a bit, maybe 3/4 turn, and try partial sizing.  If after firing these the action is hard to close, screw the die in just maybe 1/8 turn and resize.  Continue until the action just closes easily.  This is your die setting and should give good case life.

RonF

[Dirtysteve]

I don't know how many times they have been reloaded. I got these from a friend who had a couple hundred. As soon as they start showing signs I have been throwing them away.
Thanks for all the info I will try this and see what happens. I am also going to buy some new brass and see if this happens.
One more question. If the chamber was bad/ sloppy wouldn't that effect accuracy? This barrel can shoot 1/2 inch groups all day long.