Shot my first encore ML -- Question

[22lyons]

Shot my new 50cal ML today for the second time this week.

Didn't get good groups first time with 110gr T7 with either PB or Shockwaves. 

Today I tried 90gr T7 with 245 PB and shot 1.5 at 50yards which i was pleased for now.

One problem...I picked up a used 25acp breechplug and when i shot the brass came out totally black on the outside and even hard to remove.  I saw the other post of how to clean however I was surprised the brass was totally dirty on the outside.  Normal or did i pick up a bad used breechplug? 

If I don't shoot enough to reload the brass can you buy primed brass in small quantities 100 etc?

thanks

[str8shooter48]

I have never seen primed brass for the 25ACP. Its hard enought to come by as is. Midway USA has everything you need to get started. For around $28.00 + shipping

1: Universal depriming pin      http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=274540

2: Lee Auto prime tool          http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=807875

3: Lee auto prime shell holder  http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=709779

4: Magtech 25 ACP brass       http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=899696

5: A small hammer to knock spent primers out

6: A block of wood or nylon with a hole drilled the size of the case rim deep enough to hold it in place. Then drill a second hole in the center of the first slightly larger than the primer but smaller than the first.

7: some small rifle primers and your good to go.


I have all the reloading equipment at home but this is the setup I use at the range or at camp. Works great

str8

[22lyons]

Is it normal for the whole outside of the brass to be black and hard to remove from the plug?

Not just after many shots but even the first brass was totally black on the outside?

Would it have anything to due buying a used breechplug?

[str8shooter48]

The only fouling on my cases is on the inside. The only thing I can think maybe the cases were fired in a pistol before you got them and they were not resized. That might explain the hard removal. They could be trimmed wrong. Did you have any misfires? did you have any problems closing the action?

I started with all new and never had that problem. The new brass may help? but not a guarantee that the plug is not buggered up. The 25 ACP conversion in my opinion is the way to go. If your serious about using the conversion try the new brass,  if you still have the problem then the breechplug is probably not made right or been modified. Then I'd invest in a new breechplug.

This is where I bought my breechplug setup. 
http://www.prbullet.com/hornet.htm

Good Luck
str8

[22lyons]

I did use new brass so thinking it may be the used breech plug???

[Semisane]

My brass gets black on the outside walls.  The ACP cases fit reasonably snug in the my home made breech plug which was drilled with a "J" size drill bit (0.277 diameter).  Specs for the .25 ACP case are 0.276 neck & 0.277 at the base.  I don't think I would want them any tighter.  Not a problem really.  If I'm shooting heavy loads, like 100 grains or more of loose T-7 and 300 grain bullets, I need to swab out the breech plug with a Q-Tip after every 5 or 6 shots, or the cases will begin to stick a little.  With light loads I don't have to do that.  Still beats 209's all to hell.

[bulzaye]

my question would be did you get the 22 hornet brass breech plug instead of the 25 acp? 

[str8shooter48]

my question would be did you get the 22 hornet brass breech plug instead of the 25 acp? 

Good question never thought of that possibility.

[22lyons]

my question would be did you get the 22 hornet brass breech plug instead of the 25 acp? 

Bought it from someone on this site as a 25acp so i assume it is truly 25acp.  Cases seem to fit ok...not too snug or loose.

Interesting that some of you say your brass gets corroded on the outside and some don't...

trying to figure it all out...

[Semisane]

I wonder if it has to do with the shape of the hole the ACP case sits in.  Mine is tapered at the bottom - the taper of the point of the bit used to drill the hole.  Are there some out there that have a "flat" bottom - and would that make a difference?

[AndyHass]

I have not seen an ACP plug with a flat bottom.  I made one recently with a drill bit in a lathe and to the naked eye it is identical to my one from Precision Rifle both inside and out...both are a little concave at the bottom of the primer hole.

Your problem sounds like one I just started having with mine.  Only in the last 100 shots or so have I started to have issues with increased blackness on the outside of the case and sticking after around 8-10 shots.  It was not an issue for the first 700-800 rounds or whatever I have on the plug but it is starting.  Now I just swab with a Q-tip once in awhile and it's ok.  Maybe since it was used whoever sold it shot it a lot, like I do, and it's starting to burn out a tiny bit.  Best guess..