Blackened brass

[Luke_NL]

Hi guys,

I've been picking my brain, so I figured enlisting your aid would speed up the process.

I recently bought a batch of used (once-fired) .243 brass. Looked pretty old but cleaned up nice in the tumbler. I sorted the brass and kept ca. 250 good-looking RWS cases and tossed the rest. (at 7 dollars, I'm not complaining). Ran all through a full length sizing, a neck sizing and loaded some up (after cleaning and uniforming primer pockets).

And... came off the range with my fired brass mostly sooted, and the rifle actually smelling like 'sweet' soot. I figure I must have sized the cases too short, although I don't think i changed my setup. Could it be residual tumbler dust, cleaning agent, or improper neck size? I'll go over the brass with calipers later, but I have a sneaking suspicion that some if not all of the brass may have been actually shorter than my FL setup. Cases actually collected a good bit of soot at the rim, and my bolt face required way more cleaning than I'd like...

Also, I'd love to blame poor results on this, although I would assume the black cases were messing with my head (and I've a lot to learn anyway). Flaming gas running down the side of the case doesn't strike me as a greatly consistent build-up of pressure...

Please give me your thoughts on where I went wrong, what to improve and if need be, ridicule. Thanks either way

 

[Preacher]

Beware of once fired brass unless you know the person you bought it from.
It sounds like the brass is worked hardened and not sealing the chamber.
Old brass will also age harden to a point..

 

[bigedp51]

If you have shot the same load in new brass without a problem then your "once fired" brass is not sealing the chamber.

There are to basic reasons for this problem, low pressure or hard brass.

 

[Luke_NL]

Gents, thanks for your input. I've been told RWS is a pretty hard brass compared to most, and the age of these won't help. I'll try increasing the bearing surface by seating a little deeper, maybe up the load a bit and if that doesn't get the job done I guess I'll have to try my hand at annealing. I have a second hand DIY machine, but the hoses and bottle (and possibly the burners) need replacement.

 

[gotcha]

Or, you could try DJ's brass (205) 461-4680. Site sponsor, excellent reputation.

 

[Luke_NL]

I wish. Being all the way over in the Netherlands excludes that option. But if any of you are heading out to Amsterdam I'll trade you tulips and Gouda cheese for quality brass

 

[CPorter]

I suggest annealing the neck and shoulder. If i let my brass go to long I get a soot ring that moves down the neck and shoulder progressively with each firing. Annealing allows it to seal properly.

 

[thefitter]

"Beware of once fired brass unless you know the person you bought it from."

+1

I would try annealing if you really have to use this brass. I would stay away from hot loads also.