30BR Bulge

[K22]

Yes the bullet is only expanding where it is seated, but bulge on one side of the neck.

That might indicate that something is off center.

Try seating the bullet initially about 1/4 inch just to get it started, then rotate the case in the shell holder and seat the bullet a little more, then repeat the process until seated to the desired COL.

If that doesn't work, try full sizing a dummy case with a standard F/L die and a floating expander which should help align the neck with the case body then seat a bullet per above and see if that helps.

Does the shell holder have any accumulated debris in the rim area which might tilt the case off center? Also, check the fit of the shell holder in the ram to verify that it is centered.

Does the sizing die have any accumulated lube? How often to you clean the sizing die. I dry brush mine out after each loading session. Also, some tumble media residue can accumulate in the shell holder and dies which can cause problems.

 

[AlNyhus]

What are you using for a full length bushing sizing die? Have you checked the neck run out before seating a bullet? -Al

 

[Zero333]

If I had to take a different take on this, I'd say the neck looks partly collapsed from either too much lube or the weeping hole is clogged.

In pic 1 you can see signs of case collapse just under where he bullet is seated.

 

[M-61]

Even with a deep chamfer it’s difficult to start the flat based bullet straight

That is not right. Flat base, sure not like boat tail, but it should not be tricky at all. Takes an extra second or two to be sure it’s correct but that’s it. I have only a minimal inside chamfer and my finger dexterity leaves a lot to be desired, but as I said this is not right nor normal.

 

[M-61]

then rotate the case in the shell holder and seat the bullet a little more, then repeat the process until seated to the desired COL.

Yup. Being sure the shell holder is all the way back in the ram

 

[dellet]

Start by checking your measurements.
.308 bullet
.0105 neck thickness
.326 loaded diameter

Only way that happens is to crush the bullet ,003” when seating.

I did not see or missed neck diameter unloaded after sizing, would probably like be around .327” with a .306” inside diameter. Might help sort out where the measuring problem is. With your .300” bushing bullets should seat by hand. As long as your numbers are good.

Flatbase bullets can be tough, with a good chamfer they shouldn’t be a problem. With a .324” bushing I wouldn’t expect a problem, but if the inside diameter is smaller than .304”, it wouldn’t surprise me to get a few started sideways if your not use to small flat bullets and big fingers, been there more than once.

but start with checking the numbers.

 

[Doublejake]

That might indicate that something is off center.

Try seating the bullet initially about 1/4 inch just to get it started, then rotate the case in the shell holder and seat the bullet a little more, then repeat the process until seated to the desired COL.

If that doesn't work, try full sizing a dummy case with a standard F/L die and a floating expander which should help align the neck with the case body then seat a bullet per above and see if that helps.

Does the shell holder have any accumulated debris in the rim area which might tilt the case off center? Also, check the fit of the shell holder in the ram to verify that it is centered.

Does the sizing die have any accumulated lube? How often to you clean the sizing die. I dry brush mine out after each loading session. Also, some tumble media residue can accumulate in the shell holder and dies which can cause problems.

Off center seems to be an issue. I can visually see it when I put the brass in a Case gauge, it is not centered.
Also noticed that so of them won’t fit at all, Due to the base getting warped by the KM shell holder while turning the neck, if I don’t wrench it in it will pop out of the holder before it starts turning the neck because it is taking a lot of energy to get past the 6BR Bulge. Even though I have neckeup to 30BR the Bulge is still very prominent. I did not anneal before any of this process. I have Never fired a 30BR round. My 30BR is on it way to the gunsmith to be put together. I’m practicing with my KM neck turner, and measuring tools etc. The 6BR brass I’m working with has 3-4 firings. I will try to post photos of my findings.

 

[Doublejake]

Off center seems to be an issue. I can visually see it when I put the brass in a Case gauge, it is not centered.
Also noticed that so of them won’t fit at all, Due to the base getting warped by the KM shell holder while turning the neck, if I don’t wrench it in it will pop out of the holder before it starts turning the neck because it is taking a lot of energy to get past the 6BR Bulge. Even though I have neckeup to 30BR the Bulge is still very prominent. I did not anneal before any of this process. I have Never fired a 30BR round. My 30BR is on it way to the gunsmith to be put together. I’m practicing with my KM neck turner, and measuring tools etc. The 6BR brass I’m working with has 3-4 firings. I will try to post photos of my findings.

I do have some I just put through the amp to see what difference it is going to make.

 

[K22]

Off center seems to be an issue. I can visually see it when I put the brass in a Case gauge, it is not centered.
Also noticed that so of them won’t fit at all, Due to the base getting warped by the KM shell holder while turning the neck, if I don’t wrench it in it will pop out of the holder before it starts turning the neck because it is taking a lot of energy to get past the 6BR Bulge. Even though I have neckeup to 30BR the Bulge is still very prominent. I did not anneal before any of this process. I have Never fired a 30BR round. My 30BR is on it way to the gunsmith to be put together. I’m practicing with my KM neck turner, and measuring tools etc. The 6BR brass I’m working with has 3-4 firings. I will try to post photos of my findings.

When I first looked at the pictures you posted, the necks didn't look right to me (too thin) but since you did not mention neck turning, at least in the initial post, I didn't comment on that aspect. But now that you have, I suspect that is the issue.

Why are you turning necks? Are you a competitive precision shooter? In my opinion, turning necks is an advance reloading technique requiring an advanced level of experience, preferably with a mentor to guide you through the process until you master it.

I understand that for ultimate precision such as benchrest, this process may be necessary, but it can create more problems than it solves if one is not knowledgeable in the method. I believe the majority of shooters do not need to engage in this process to produce accurate reloads in the 1/2 to 5/8 moa range. I say this because I have been able to accomplish this for many years without turning necks. I am not disparaging neck turning, only questioning whether it is necessary for the shooting activities that you engaged in.

I suggest that you try a few rounds without neck turning and see if it makes a significant difference in performance that is relevant to your shooting activities.

 

[Bill Norris]

When I first looked at the pictures you posted, the necks didn't look right to me (too thin) but since you did not mention neck turning, at least in the initial post, I didn't comment on that aspect. But now that you have, I suspect that is the issue.

Why are you turning necks? Are you a competitive precision shooter? In my opinion, turning necks is an advance reloading technique requiring an advanced level of experience, preferably with a mentor to guide you through the process until you master it.

I understand that for ultimate precision such as benchrest, this process may be necessary, but it can create more problems than it solves if one is not knowledgeable in the method. I believe the majority of shooters do not need to engage in this process to produce accurate reloads in the 1/2 to 5/8 moa range. I say this because I have been able to accomplish this for many years without turning necks. I am not disparaging neck turning, only questioning whether it is necessary for the shooting activities that you engaged in.

I suggest that you try a few rounds without neck turning and see if it makes a significant difference in performance that is relevant to your shooting activities.

Definitely not to be negative towards neck turning but I agree. For some time now no turn neck chambers are tested and used in the B R arena very successfully. Bart won the three gun recently with a no turn chamber in his 6PPC. I expect the trend to follow. In the "Believe the Target" pod-cast with Erik Cortina Bart also said he was using a no turn chamber in his 6BRA for longer distance matches.

 

[Bill Norris]

Doublejake​

Also IT’s measures.3266 on the pressure ring and the other one was .3275. Which I believe by my measurements it was turned down to 10.5


This is a loaded round for my 30BR. If you blow it up and look closely you can see a slight ring @ .100 from the shoulder/neck junction. This is due to me not sizing the brass any further down than where the bullet is seated inside the neck and not a bulge. My chamber is .330 and necks are turned to .098 which gives me @ .3275 loaded neck measurement and a total .0025 neck clearance in the chamber. The portion of the neck that is not sized measures .330 Bushing size is .324.

 

[Doublejake]

Doublejake​

Also IT’s measures.3266 on the pressure ring and the other one was .3275. Which I believe by my measurements it was turned down to 10.5


This is a loaded round for my 30BR. If you blow it up and look closely you can see a slight ring @ .100 from the shoulder/neck junction. This is due to me not sizing the brass any further down than where the bullet is seated inside the neck and not a bulge. My chamber is .330 and necks are turned to .098 which gives me @ .3275 loaded neck measurement and a total .0025 neck clearance in the chamber. The portion of the neck that is not sized measures .330 Bushing size is .324.

So I have determined that the cases are getting bent/ pushed in at the neck shoulders junction, either from when I am sizing up the neck to 30BR or from when I am trying to push past the donut on neck turning.

 

[Bill Norris]

Off center seems to be an issue. I can visually see it when I put the brass in a Case gauge, it is not centered.
Also noticed that so of them won’t fit at all, Due to the base getting warped by the KM shell holder while turning the neck, if I don’t wrench it in it will pop out of the holder before it starts turning the neck because it is taking a lot of energy to get past the 6BR Bulge. Even though I have neckeup to 30BR the Bulge is still very prominent. I did not anneal before any of this process. I have Never fired a 30BR round. My 30BR is on it way to the gunsmith to be put together. I’m practicing with my KM neck turner, and measuring tools etc. The 6BR brass I’m working with has 3-4 firings. I will try to post photos of my findings.

If there is a donut present in the 3-4 times fired cases It is very unlikely you will be able to see much peace with this brass without removing it. I would suggest starting over with new brass if at all possible. If you expand it to push the donut to the outside of the case neck you will need to be very careful not to turn the brass too thin in that area. Turning it that thin will be asking for more trouble as it weakens the brass in that area.

 

[Doublejake]

When I first looked at the pictures you posted, the necks didn't look right to me (too thin) but since you did not mention neck turning, at least in the initial post, I didn't comment on that aspect. But now that you have, I suspect that is the issue.

Why are you turning necks? Are you a competitive precision shooter? In my opinion, turning necks is an advance reloading technique requiring an advanced level of experience, preferably with a mentor to guide you through the process until you master it.

I understand that for ultimate precision such as benchrest, this process may be necessary, but it can create more problems than it solves if one is not knowledgeable in the method. I believe the majority of shooters do not need to engage in this process to produce accurate reloads in the 1/2 to 5/8 moa range. I say this because I have been able to accomplish this for many years without turning necks. I am not disparaging neck turning, only questioning whether it is necessary for the shooting activities that you engaged in.

I suggest that you try a few rounds without neck turning and see if it makes a significant difference in performance that is relevant to your shooting activities.

I’m competing in Bench Rest shooting. New to turning necks yes. From what I have seen/heard no one who shoots a 30BR shoots it with out turning the Necks. My reamers/Die is .330, which I believe requires neck turning. I’m not sure if they are to thin, most turn down to .010 but some down to .097, it’s a learning experience for sure. But looks like the issue is happening on expanding the necks process.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I’m competing in Bench Rest shooting. New to turning necks yes. From what I have seen/heard no one who shoots a 30BR shoots it with out turning the Necks. My reamers/Die is .330, which I believe requires neck turning. I’m not sure if they are to thin, most turn down to .010 but some down to .097, it’s a learning experience for sure. But looks like the issue is happening on expanding the necks process.

If that's the cause, it'll straighten out when fire formed. Different opinions, but I prefer to only size enough neck to where the bushing stops just above where the pressure ring of the bullet sets on a loaded round. As to neck thickness, .010 just doesn't work in a .330 neck chamber. It leaves zero clearance even with a .3080 bullet diameter, and most are a bit bigger than that, ranging from about .3083-.3087ish. Obviously, that doesn't fit! Just my 2 cents but if you have a .330 chamber, turn for a .3270 loaded round and use your tubing mic to get the neck turner set close...or as a paper weight. Your choice. The only measurement that matters is that of the loaded round.

 

[Silo1616]

So I have determined that the cases are getting bent/ pushed in at the neck shoulders junction, either from when I am sizing up the neck to 30BR or from when I am trying to push past the donut on neck turning.

Good chance the "bent" conditions is a result of the expanding (necking up) process. P1ZombieKiller (contributor here) has a good video showing his technique. Basically, run the expander in a three step process - 1/3 into the neck, back it out then rotate case 120 degrees - repeat.

 

[K22]

I’m competing in Bench Rest shooting. New to turning necks yes. From what I have seen/heard no one who shoots a 30BR shoots it with out turning the Necks. My reamers/Die is .330, which I believe requires neck turning. I’m not sure if they are to thin, most turn down to .010 but some down to .097, it’s a learning experience for sure. But looks like the issue is happening on expanding the necks process.

If this is the predominant and proven practice in your chosen shooting discipline, then I would use it too. Perhaps hooking up with a senior experienced shooter can help perfect the process for you, most are willing to help a fellow shooter to promote the sport.

 

[AlNyhus]

When manually expanding the 6BR cases to .30, you need to have some way to straighten the case neck relative to the case body prior to turning the necks.

The biggest obstacle to this is the 'lump' at the bottom of the expanded neck...the 'lump' is what used to be the upper shoulder before being expanded. If you don't address the 'lump' as the first step, you're going struggle with consistent neck turning.

 

[Doublejake]

Majority of the 30BR

If this is the predominant and proven practice in your chosen shooting discipline, then I would use it too. Perhaps hooking up with a senior experienced shooter can help perfect the process for you, most are willing to help a fellow shooter to promote the sport.

guys at my club get their brass done for them and seemed pretty shocked that I was going to work on it myself

 

[Doublejake]

When manually expanding the 6BR cases to .30, you need to have some way to straighten the case neck relative to the case body prior to turning the necks.

The biggest obstacle to this is the 'lump' at the bottom of the expanded neck...the 'lump' is what used to be the upper shoulder before being expanded. If you don't address the 'lump' as the first step, you're going struggle with consistent neck turning.

How would one address the lump?