My first Lapua case head separation

[kelbro]

I'm guessing about 12-15 loads on this case. Setback has always been .001-.002. Large primer 308. Might have been at the edge of high pressure once or twice during load development, who knows.

I was not really checking for this. I was weighing H2O capacity and realized that the case was 'leaking'! What an eye opener.

Checked the rest of the batch and didn't find any more. I need to be more judicious about checking and scrapping brass.

 

[6.5 forever]

Yup it would be wise to include case inspection in you reloading process

 

[old_heli_logger]

This is a great reminder for me. Thank you!!

 

[kelbro]

Checked the velocity log for that batch of loads and there was no variation in fps for that particular load.

My normal routine when I get back from the range is to drop the brass into the tumbler to run for an hour. That might possibly mask a visual indicator.

I'll be using my pick from now on.

 

[Janeau]

Typically .308 case show sign around 6-8 firings. That you had 12-15firings before it gave up is already over expected lifespan. But this show that your case inspection procedures are lacking..case separation warning are present way before it happen.

 

[Tesoro]

Post an enlarged pic of the base of case

 

[LRPV]

Maybe you already are but if I were you I would re check my sizing operation to my chamber fitment. I know at times that what I thought was a .002" bump was indeed more because when I measured, the case hadn't grown enough to be a tight fit lengthwise in the chamber yet. Once the base was sized on the brass with no shoulder bump the bolt would fall on the brass. Just something to think about. I know guys get well over 50 loads on BR brass and I can't imagine 308 is much different, but I've been wrong before.

 

[M-61]

Setback has always been .001-.002

What was the purpose of ‘setback- shoulder bump’? Why? Bolt not closing? Bolt required excessive effort to close?

 

[M-61]

Setback has always been .001-.002

What was the purpose of ‘setback- shoulder bump’? Why? Bolt not closing? Bolt required excessive effort to close?

 

[Kracken McGraw]

It’s really a wonder why that didn’t pull apart on the last firing in you chamber.

 

[Steve Donlon]

Do you check your brass before sizing to see if it needs to have the shoulder pushed back and if so how much? I use a body die with a Lee lock ring with the rubber O-ring so I can adjust how much set back each case gets when needed.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Im sorry but I find it hard to believe that if everything is right with brass to chamber fit with die being properly set up to resize to the chamber that Lapua brass will fail 12-15 firings.

 

[BoydAllen]

Three things: I gauge shoulder bump relative to the longest datum to head dimension that can be created by neck sizing hottish loads three or more times, until there is no increase. I also can work with once fired by making a too long case using Scotch tape, and working it down very gradually. I fire a given batch of cases in rotation so that work hardening will be relatively consistent. Finally, I check the bump from time to time during a sizing session, to make sure I am getting what I want.