CASE HARDENING?

[overbore]

There is great wildcat, the 338 Edge, that uses a 300RUM necked up to 33 cal, which is a great long range accuracy round when combined with a custom bullet; however, Nosler cases tend to loosen their primer pockets after about five mid-load cycles. My question / idea is this: is there any way to use controlled heat, applied judiciously to the base of the case, to harden the case head? Yes I know about the Remmy cases being harder but the consistency is not there, weight to weight). This is a good teaser/ chalange for the advanced reloaders---. Many thanks, Overbore

 

[Asa_Yam]

Cartridge brass is hardened by cold working.

Heating the case head would be the last thing you'd want to do as this softens the brass.

 

[overbore]

Asa, exactly correct; I was thinking of steel but now that we agree on cold working, any ideas on micro peening as here must be some way to salvage costly cases. I am reminded of Edison and all his filament failures when he said " I do not have the answer yet but I do know of 10,000 things that don't work". Overbore

 

[Asa_Yam]

Buying new brass is cheaper and easier. Scrap brass is fetching nearly $2/lb right now.