Novice reloader looking for help

[Lefty57]

Weird stuff like this happens, especially in magnums. I usually stick to the higher end of load data, I usually take the max load reduce by 2 grains and start there and then go up above until I reach pressure. I never start at the bottom. Seems like a waste of components.

I totally agree especially in this day and time I actually was on my first load test and that is usually where I will start is halfway to conserve as much powder and primers as I can
Thank you & everyone for the help

 

[Carlos88]

View attachment 348905
The web of your brass has a head separation and gas from the powder burn flowed back into the chamber upon firing or your load is too mild.

 

[Lefty57]

Do you think that would be a defective case being it is the only one that did it?

 

[Dmagna]

Do you think that would be a defective case being it is the only one that did it?

I wouldn't use again, but you are no where near max. Book max for that bullet is touching 3000fps with that powder.

 

[Lefty57]

I wouldn't use again, but you are no where near max. Book max for that bullet is touching 3000fps with that powder.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Calvin45]

How much lube you put on that fella? Also the vent hole in your die could be plugged.

Ding ding ding!

 

[just_jon]

I'm with Carlos88 on this. The soot around the belt would indicate a case head separation. Feel for it inside the case using a paper clip or allen key. I do not believe this is due to the neck/shoulder not sealing properly the neck would show significantly more shooting. What does the primer look like?

 

[Lefty57]

I'm with Carlos88 on this. The soot around the belt would indicate a case head separation. Feel for it inside the case using a paper clip or allen key. I do not believe this is due to the neck/shoulder not sealing properly the neck would show significantly more shooting. What does the primer look like?

Showing no pressure signs.
Looks like rest of them.

 

[Carlos88]

Was the brass you're using bought new?

 

[Roninco]

When I was new to reloading a 7 RM I had case separation because I was oversizing the brass. This was because I followed the instructions included with the dies. Check this forum or YouTube on best practices for adjusting your sizing die.

 

[xsn10s]

I've seen that happen on 7 RUM. We noticed when using Oehler Ballistics lab you'd see a double spike with certain powders. It was almost twenty years ago so I don't remember the specifics. But the idea was the bullet would get lodged in the throat causing one spike and gas to bleed into the shoulder which was thought to cause those dents. Then another spike disloding the bullet sending it on it's way. I have to second the motion that it looks like a case head failure there.

 

[backwoods83]

Looks like you're bumping the shoulder .010"+ every sizing, 3 distinct lines above the belt, it obviously didn't completely separate, but they all will if you keep that up. If it's Hornady brass, which it kinda looks to be, it's soft, and will happen sooner. Also, if you have a 26" or longer barrel, you shouldn't be seeing any remotely dangerous pressure signs, until you are north of 3200fps. I'm not telling you to do anything stupid, but I have a load using the same powder and bullet, in Nosler brass, it goes 3228fps from a 27.5" barrel, brass is on the 4th firing and still going. Just saying, there's no benefit to shooting a 7mm Remington magnum, if you load it like a 7mm-08.

 

[Lefty57]

I've seen that happen on 7 RUM. We noticed when using Oehler Ballistics lab you'd see a double spike with certain powders. It was almost twenty years ago so I don't remember the specifics. But the idea was the bullet would get lodged in the throat causing one spike and gas to bleed into the shoulder which was thought to cause those dents. Then another spike disloding the bullet sending it on it's way. I have to second the motion that it looks like a case head failure there.

I do have a case sizing die for the
7mag should I possibly try re-sizing the case before loading?

 

[Carlos88]

I do have a case sizing die for the
7mag should I possibly try re-sizing the case before loading?

Were you not?