Author Topic: Reloading Question on pressure signs (Read 614 times)

hoser1268 · « **on:** February 13, 2005, 05:22:40 PM »

I have been reloading for my 25-06 and I was wondering, Is it possible to
enlarge the primer pockets? I am repriming my brass and the primers seem to be seating a little on the easy side without having to put much pressure into it with my RCBS hand priming tool. This is only the second loading for this brass and I'm wondering if I'm being paranoid or if the load I was using was too hot. I didn't notice any pressure signs and it shot very well. I'm wondering if this brass is safe to use again or if I should discard it and decrease my powder charge. Any help or input would be appreciated.

Robert...

ricciardelli · « **Reply #1 on:** February 13, 2005, 07:31:55 PM »

What is your load? That information would help a great deal.

SamSpade · « **Reply #2 on:** February 14, 2005, 02:46:56 AM »

My rules on hot loads are: Flattening of the primer is OK as log as the primer doesn't appear to "flow" to be oversize. The other signs of being to hot are obviously case splitting and primers blowing out. If primer pockets are enlarging it is an indication that the load is to hot and with the next firing you probably will blow the primer. I would back off and watch my primers. Those case you have now could be questionable but I would throw them out or at least set them aside.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #3 on:** February 14, 2005, 03:49:01 AM »

My highly scientific method, if I feel that a primer has seated too easily, is to hold the case at a 45 deg angle and rap it a couple of time or so on my bench top (wooden). If it doesn't back out, I load it up and shoot it.
As posted, knowing what your load is would be handy information.

I prep brass in batches. Usually 100 pieces. Then I may not load all of the brass at one time, but I do load it in sequence so the entire batch has been fired before I re-prep the brass and start over. Then, when I have gotten say 10% or so of split necks, loose primers or other signs of case fatigue, I pitch them all.

hoser1268 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 14, 2005, 11:30:15 AM »

The load I am using is:

48.5 Grs. of Imr 4350
Primer: Fed 210
OCL 3.250
Bullet: Sierra 120 Gr. HPBT Gameking.

The primers are going in so easily as to fall out but I thought there should be a little more resistance. I am going to back down one full grain but I'm not sure if the cases are going to be alright.

Graybeard · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2005, 11:51:20 AM »

Anyone who depends on pressures signs and ignores book maximums sooner or later will lose body parts. There are NO RELIABLE pressure signs to keep you out of trouble. By the time pressure is excessive enough to do the bad things it does for you to recognize it you might already been up to proof load level.

BUT if primer pockets are so loose after one firing that primers fall out you are already DANGEROUSLY over maximum in your gun and backing off one grain just plain ain't gonna cut it. Matters not what the load is, if primer pockets are shot in one loading something is bad wrong.

clodbuster · « **Reply #6 on:** February 14, 2005, 12:32:38 PM »

Why are you using a load that is 1/2 grain over maximum? If your rifle happens to have a tight chamber or your primer is hotter than the one used in the load data sources, you my friend, could be in trouble. The little bit of velocity gain (if any) won't change the trajectory of your bullet enough to consider( an inch or so at 300 yds). You need to use a chrono to see what gain in velocity each increment of powder added gives you.
There is a great term in the Lyman Reloading Book; it is: TINSTAAFL.
There is no such thing as a free lunch! It basically means there is no magic load. If you are getting the max velocity for the bullet you're using, don't add any more powder, even if you are under the max listed in the book. Something about your particular load and your particular gun is causing pressure to be higher than that in the test gun used to develop the load data. Stay Safe!

Catfish · « **Reply #7 on:** February 14, 2005, 02:03:39 PM »

My Serria manual list 50.8 gns. of Imr-4350 as max. load. I don`t see how you could be antway near max. load unless your seating your bullet into the lands or something. If your bolt open easily after you fired the ammo I doubt that you have a problem, but when in doubt take it to a gunsmith.

hoser1268 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 14, 2005, 04:24:12 PM »

My book says that I'm not at max. I am really not interested in velocity. I'm interested in accuracy and this load is extremely accurate. When I started this load I started at book minimum and worked up to this load. It is not locking up my gun and I'm not seeing any pressure signs on the case. It just seems to me that on the second loading the primers are seating a little on the easy side. I'm probably going to end up scratching this load and start again.

FURocious · « **Reply #9 on:** February 28, 2005, 03:19:16 AM »

Cross reference your loading data with the manual of your bullet brand and a few others. You will see variations in listings and velocities out of the same type of test gun used. Sometimes there can be as much as 5 grain difference in max listings for the same bullet weight or type.

lowertroll · « **Reply #10 on:** February 28, 2005, 05:04:28 AM »

If Federals won't stay in you have a real problem as they seat tighter than other brands. You are on the right path to scrap that brass and start over. You should probably be using a chrony as one tool in your load developement and watch for all and any of the pressure signs. Some powders reach a point where more doesn't give you gains in velocity. Any pressure signs mean stop now. Each gun is different. Act accordingly. To asssist in clear thinking, read the text in the front of each of your loading manuals and then start over.