Reloading- What pressure signs do you stop at?

[DarryH]

only happened to me once. I was in high school, and was not loading rifle or handgun ammo yet, only shotgun. My Godfather loaned me a 340C Savage in .222. He said I could use it until I shot enough fur to buy my own gun. I was talking to a bartender I had befriended. He mentioned that he reloaded that caliber and offered to take my brass and not charge me much. I told him no crazy loads. Well his reloads were darned accurate. 3 shots at 100 yards covered by a dime, consistently!!! Had an issue with pressure though. About every 4 rounds I'd eject a shell and the primer fell out too.....but I kept shooting them. Being young and dumb has some advantages!!!!!!!

 

[Tulsa Reiner]

Stiff bolt lift and loose primer pockets are a dead giveaway alright. A dead giveaway of way excess pressure.

Aren't loose primer pockets also a sign of worn out brass? In which case, doesn't the number of reloads for a piece of brass need to be taken into consideration when one encounters a loose primer pocket?

 

[memtb]

Aren't loose primer pockets also a sign of worn out brass? In which case, doesn't the number of reloads for a piece of brass need to be taken into consideration when one encounters a loose primer pocket?

Absolutely…..at least in my opinion, which actually means very little!

Perhaps in very mild loads, the primer pocket will never loosen! But, we certainly "not" be achieving the full, "safe" potential from our chosen cartridge! memtb

 

[Rich Coyle]

When I back off from a stiff bolt my brass lasts for several loads. Of course, it eventually is tossed. Lately I discovered I have to trim after every shot. I think my next reamer will address this.

 

[Calvin45]

When I back off from a stiff bolt my brass lasts for several loads. Of course, it eventually is tossed. Lately I discovered I have to trim after every shot. I think my next reamer will address this.

Out of a bolt action? Levers and semi autos would make some sense but man that sucks out of a bolt gun

 

[Rosebud]

When I back off from a stiff bolt my brass lasts for several loads. Of course, it eventually is tossed. Lately I discovered I have to trim after every shot. I think my next reamer will address this.

While I'm guilty of pushing the edge to where I'm thinking, are you sure you want to try that! I'm still getting about 16 to 20 reloads from lapua brass and 10 or more from nosler before they are toast. But if you're only getting several, as in less than 5 or 6 you're really pushing it. What reamers are you using?

 

[Boss Hoss]

When I back off from a stiff bolt my brass lasts for several loads. Of course, it eventually is tossed. Lately I discovered I have to trim after every shot. I think my next reamer will address this.

Try a sharper shoulder angle, less neck and possibly a tiny bit less body taper.

 

[Dirtrax]

So when I hear "faint" ejector marks or "flattened" primers I wonder through what lense are you looking? I use a 30 power loop to examine these indicators. Depending on the brass you use things can look very different.

 

[Calvin45]

So when I hear "faint" ejector marks or "flattened" primers I wonder through what lense are you looking? I use a 30 power loop to examine these indicators. Depending on the brass you use things can look very different.

The lens of my glasses…can't see without those on!!!

 

[StanleyActual]

Once I get to book max I let my buddy shoot it. Whatever powder charge he catches a bolt to the face, I back it down 2 grains and run with it.

 

[Rich Coyle]

Rosebud,

I'm using a Manson reamer. It is a .338RUM necked to 7mm, and using 7RUM brass to get an extra .100" of neck length.

Boss Hoss,

Right now I have powder, primers and bullets, but don't want to shot it until I can afford to get a new reamer and pay the 'smith. The new reamer will be the same except with a 40* shoulder. I think I will have Hornady make forming dies so I merely push the shoulder near the neck back and leave the body shoulder junction about where it is. (I think.)

 

[Boss Hoss]

Rosebud,

I'm using a Manson reamer. It is a .338RUM necked to 7mm, and using 7RUM brass to get an extra .100" of neck length.

Boss Hoss,

Right now I have powder, primers and bullets, but don't want to shot it until I can afford to get a new reamer and pay the 'smith. The new reamer will be the same except with a 40* shoulder. I think I will have Hornady make forming dies so I merely push the shoulder near the neck back and leave the body shoulder junction about where it is. (I think.)

Just a thought here with the reamer..... Have the Smith make the dies AND make the seater for use with an arbor press. I always do this, and it will pay off if the Smith knows what he or she is doing by have Very Concentric loaded ammunition.

 

[xsn10s]

Once I get to book max I let my buddy shoot it. Whatever powder charge he catches a bolt to the face, I back it down 2 grains and run with it.

Genius, pure genius! Brother that's awesome lol.

 

[StanleyActual]

On a serious note, I pay attentions for flattening primers, ejector marks etc but I stop when I start getting a stiff bolt lift.