Dirty case necks after firing?

[Huntersuave]

I fired some rounds out of my tikka 308 hunting rifle this weekend and the outside case necks were quite dirty after being fired. I'm assuming this just denotes a rifle that needs to be cleaned...any input?

 

[Bill Norris]

Many times when the load is kind of on the light side you will see the signs of escaped gases around the necks denoting it just didn't seal off enough. Nothing to be concerned about. Maybe work the load on up a bit.

 

[JMayo]

My 30br has a tiny ring on the case.
My 6bra has a big ring on the neck.

As long as it's not down the shoulder & sides of the case, I'm good with it.
Annealing helps in the sealing abilities of the neck if case has gotten hard.

 

[Big Mc]

I fired some rounds out of my tikka 308 hunting rifle this weekend and the outside case necks were quite dirty after being fired. I'm assuming this just denotes a rifle that needs to be cleaned...any input?

LMayo is spot on. Tommy Mc

 

[centershot]

My Roberts has carbon on the shoulder. This is a custom chamber. I have not seen this before on any other of my rifles. Is the neck too big for the brass?

 

[Forum Boss]

Some carbon on necks is very typical for almost everything, even with tight neck clearance. Here is one tip for maintenance. At end of a string, use some aerosol Ballistol on a patch. With the brass cases still warm, you can wipe the necks almost completely clean before the carbon sets up and hardens.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Some carbon on necks is very typical for almost everything, even with tight neck clearance. Here is one tip for maintenance. At end of a string, use some aerosol Ballistol on a patch. With the brass cases still warm, you can wipe the necks almost completely clean before the carbon sets up and hardens.

Actually a patch with water out of a small container that also has a drop of Dawn in it works . Cheaper and does not stink,lol.

 

[Straightshooter1]

Actuallt a patch with water out of a small container that also has a drop of Dawn in it works . Cheaper and does not stink,lol.

Better yet . . . if you want to clean the necks well anytime just use a solution to Lemi Shine on a cloth and you'll be surprised how fast that neck will become sparkling clean.


Before and After

 

[D-4297]

Generally a indication that the case is not sealing when the rifle is fired . When the powder shortage first began , many TR and Open shooters began experimenting with other powders we normally would not be using , that were close to our "Go To" powders on the burn chart . We also experienced similar issues with the neck / shoulder area not sealing properly , and having sooted cases below the shoulder area . A group of us tried many different things to alleviate these issues , including increasing the charge , adjusting neck interference ( tension ) , and even changing primers . Some things worked in some rifles , but there was no single solution for everyone . My suggestion would be to gradually do a ladder , increasing the load .02 , .04 , .06 , .08 to see if this will "seal the neck and end the problem , but not to exceed the "Maximum" load recommended in your loading manual . If this does not resolve the issue , then I would be looking at a higher burn rate powder on the chart . Since you didn't say what powder you're currently loading , , suggestions would be most of the standards for .308 , such as Varget , 4895 , 4064 , and maybe even 4350 with the "right" primer .

 

[Bill Norris]

I normally keep a piece of 0000 steel wool on my bench when I'm shooting and wipe the case neck with it after firing each shot or string before I put it back in my box. Eliminates a step at the reloading bench.

 

[Oso]

If you have young children or perhaps grandchildren then grab/borrow/reallocate a pack of the wet wipes. They work great (go with the unscented or perhaps lavender will help you read the wind better). They live in my range bag...nice to clean brass or wipe off hands after picking up dirty brass.

 

[Intheshop]

Same as Bill Norris above.

 

[yukonal]

I normally keep a piece of 0000 steel wool on my bench when I'm shooting and wipe the case neck with it after firing each shot or string before I put it back in my box. Eliminates a step at the reloading bench.

Same way I do it.

 

[Huntersuave]

These were factory...run of the mill cheap winchester 150gr soft points. For shits and giggles I did a factory ammo test. Where I weighed, measured (CBTO), and even pulled bullets and weighed powder. For 15 pieces. 3 - 5 shot groups. 5 out of box, 5 with equal powder charges (42.3gr I believe) based off an average, and 5 equal powder charges and seat depth...also based on an average. The variations were quite astonishing, I had powder variations of up to .5 gr and CBTO was all over the map. But they all were dirty(black) after firing, and consistently stopped just above the shoulder. I don't have a chrono so I can't say what velocities were. (Pic shows the left over power from one piece)