What causes dents in cases below the shoulder like these

[atl5029]

I am hoping you guys can shed some light on what causes dents in cases right below the shoulder like these I discovered recently on these PPU 8mm Mauser cases when separating them from the tumbling media. I only realized they were there after I FL resized them, so I don't know if they occurred during loading into the chamber, firing, extraction, or resizing. I have also seen this kind of dent occasionally on 30-06 cases. Any ideas?

Also, it is OK to load these cases as normal or slightly down loaded and just blow the dent out on the next firing, or are these cases done?

Thanks!

 

[RT2506]

These could be from too much lube when you resized them. I have also seen these type dents in cases that were loaded too light.

 

[Barrelnut]

I've seen it too when cases were loaded too light. The neck does not seal the chamber fast enough or completely and some of the gas flows around the neck and dimples the case. I wouldn't try to download them any more than you have.

 

[atl5029]

Interesting. I don't think too much lube was a problem cause I was using a lube pad. These cases may have been the couple I loaded near minimum load as I was working up a load. I'll try to cognizant of that during future load development and resizing.

So am I good to just blow out the dent with the next firing and proceed as normal?

 

[Axl]

I have had those when a piece of debris- walnut media is in the die.
They will shoot out

 

[Gene]

Check inside your dies. The dents will be gone after firing again.

 

[Gord0]

I can say from experiencing the exact same thing that those are from too much lube. Clean the die out and use just a little less. As others said also, they will shoot out no problem.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

I had this happen years ago. It was definitely not from low pressure loads. My thinking is it was because the necks did not seal in the chamber because they needed to be annealed.

Steve

 

[blinderthanascope]

try some Forester dies they have a vent hole drilled to expel pressure from over lubin I thinks

 

[Laelkhunter]

try some Forester dies they have a vent hole drilled to expel pressure from over lubin I thinks

RCBS also have the vent hole, but if you use too much lube on the case, it will still leave dents in them like the OP shows.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

Unless I read this really wrong the op was getting the dents after firing the round not from resizing.

Steve

 

[Gord0]

Unless I read this really wrong the op was getting the dents after firing the round not from resizing.

Steve

The way I read it was that he wasn't sure when they appeared. That would help in diagnosing the problem.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

Hopefully he will come back and let us know.

Steve

 

[eklarsen]

OP stated "I only realized they were there after I FL resized them"