Excessive headspace?

[barm]

I was looking at reloading some of my factory brass for my 30-30 and I noticed something weird about the brass.  The factory Federal and factory Hornady brass have the primers backed out of the case enough you can feel the primer sticking out.  Also the bottom portion of the case wall near the rim is shiny like it has stretched.  Is this something I should send back to H&R?

[Airsporter]

Is this original or factory fit barrel?  If so, and these are original, once-fired factory loads, I would be tempted to call and ask for their opinion.  Offer to send fired cases.  See what they say.  But, doesn't sound right.

[barm]

It is the original factory barrel for this frame.  The ammunition is once fired factory ammunition from Federal and Hornady.

[yukondog]

You may also want to give the tech's at Fed. and Hornady a call.

[barm]

I took it to a local gunsmith and he said he it was excessive headspace, but he did not use any gauges to check.

[44 Man]

I also know that light loads will do that.  There isn't enough pressure to slam the case back against the breech during firing, that will allow the primers to be just a little raised.  So the next question would be; are these 'full' loads, or were they light loads.  I didn't understand if this was 'once fired' brass you reloaded, or just 'once fired' brass period.  44 Man

[barm]

44 man,

It is factory ammunition from Federal and Hornady.  I have not reloaded any of the cases.

[trotterlg]

If it is shiny next to the rim and about .200 inch up it is normal.  This part of the case is solid so it does not streach, the part above it gets pushed out against the chamber wall and takes the shine off it.  Larry

[gcrank1]

Now back off the sizing die and dont push the shoulder back. Your brass will be totally custom fit to your chamber (good thing), load up and go have fun.

[quickdtoo]

It sounds like the headspace is a little on the fat side to me(deep rim cut), is a chambered round flush with the chamber face or recessed? You can easily see it with a straight edge across the chamber over the chambered round.

Tim

[barm]

It is recessed.

[gman628]

Now back off the sizing die and dont push the shoulder back. Your brass will be totally custom fit to your chamber (good thing), load up and go have fun.

I better not say what I really want to on this comment coming from gcrank1, I thought these rifles all head space off the rim.

Gary

[wreckhog]

They do if the rim is cut right.

[trotterlg]

If you reload your ammo it is fairly common to set your dies up to headspace off the sholder and not the rim.  This is especially true with the "improved" cartridges like a 22K Hornet, but it can be done for any of them.  There is lots of room for expermentation here, so if it works for you then it is probably good.  Larry

[gcrank1]

Say whatever you want to, gman, Im man enough to take it.

[jburris2001]

so how do you fix this. I just got a 223 barrel that is pushing primers out as well. barrel fit with no mods. factory ammo.

[quickdtoo]

Have the barrel replaced by H&R if it's factory fitted, the other method is to modify the extractor to hold the round against the breech face, you have to thin the post on the breech face side a little, then place a shim on the front side of the post so it bottoms out in the extractor slot under the chamber, the post must be thinned a little to do that first tho, when finished it will hold the round flush with the chamber face.

Tim

[wreckhog]

Would that allow you to shoot good groups with a poor fitting barrel? So much for truing the breech face

[quickdtoo]

It may help, but a poorly fitted barrel is a pretty serious accuracy killer, if it's loose enough, POI is going to change each time it's shot, reducing headspace isn't going to make much difference in that scenario.

Tim