problem with 30-06 loads

[2bears]

I've been loading for all most 30 yrs Rifle ,Pistol and Shotgun.I've ran into a problem no-one I've talked to has ever heard of much less can figure out.I've spoke to several tecs from powder, primer and bullet companies and no-one can figure it out. I loaded about 40rns of 30-06 with 3031& cci primers (just like thousands before) placed them in a ziplocked bag and put in my gun safe.Some time later when I went to shoot them some of them wouldn't fire, some did.The primer had a good dent in it so I pulled the bullet out the powder wouldn't come out.It had hardened.I tapped the casing to the table it wouldn't budge it was like it had frozen in the case but still looked new.I took a small screw driver and twisted it into the powder it cracked like glass as it came out.When I finally got the powder out the primer was black instead of yellow inside but still together like new.Thanks for any help. 2 bears

 

[fredhorace77]

trash that can of powder and try a new can

 

[jonbearman]

Either there was heavy moisture present during reloading or the powder was very old .

 

[/VH]

Is it possible that you had any kind of oil, lube, polishing compound or other "contaminant" inside the cases or on the bullets? Was the brass new?

 

[hogpatrol]

With a few ancient military rounds I've scrounged out of the dud box, upon pulling the bullets, the powder was as described by the OP. Just a WAG, I'm assuming it was the old age or subjected to multiple hot/cold cycles causing condensation inside the shell.

 

[Bayou]

I've been loading for all most 30 yrs Rifle ,Pistol and Shotgun.I've ran into a problem no-one I've talked to has ever heard of much less can figure out.I've spoke to several tecs from powder, primer and bullet companies and no-one can figure it out. I loaded about 40rns of 30-06 with 3031& cci primers (just like thousands before) placed them in a ziplocked bag and put in my gun safe.Some time later when I went to shoot them some of them wouldn't fire, some did.The primer had a good dent in it so I pulled the bullet out the powder wouldn't come out.It had hardened.I tapped the casing to the table it wouldn't budge it was like it had frozen in the case but still looked new.I took a small screw driver and twisted it into the powder it cracked like glass as it came out.When I finally got the powder out the primer was black instead of yellow inside but still together like new.Thanks for any help. 2 bears

I have had something similar happen with some cast 30 carbine rounds using Win 296 powder. What happened was that while the ammo was in storage cans, the south Louisiana heat was a bit much for the cast bullet wax. The wax melted into the powder and hardened the powder. I had to pull all of the bullets, scrape out the hardened powder, tumble and the re-reload. This time, only FMJ projectiles are being used.

I've abandoned casting, sizing and waxing in favor of FMJs for the 30 cal carbine. For lower velocity pistols, I sometimes use plated bullets.

So, were your projectiles casted and waxed? Not sure if any of this applies to your situation......

Bayou

 

[mac86951]

What are your brass cleaning techniques, and what case lube do you use?

Keeping hand loads, or any loads for that matter for a long duration is a whole additional process.

Humidity at time of loading, Brass surface prep and stabilization, crimping/sealing bullets and primers...

I'd recommend storing cartridges with a desiccant pack in the zip-lock, but it sounds like in this case there was residual moisture in the cases when loaded and/or a reaction with any residual lube had it gotten in the case.

What was the time-frame these rounds were stored?

-Mac

 

[2bears]

Thanks guys for your replies.I did clean the brass before loading them. I'll do some test to see if the cleaner I used could have caused it.I did some test with the lube I used and that wasn't the problem. (Hornady spray lube)The powder wasn't old and the rounds wasn't quite a year old.I keep a dehumidfier running 24/7.So I dont think it was air moisture. Thanks again,2bears

 

[M-61]

From 2bears:
"...I did clean the brass before loading them. I'll do some test to see if the cleaner I used could have caused it..."

What kind of cleaner?

 

[M14AMU]

I've seen guys load ammo for matches months ahead of time and from making custom bullets for quite a few years that is a no no because the case necks as well as the bullet jackets go through a process of 'stress relieving' over time and dimensions change! Cartridge brass is the same way. If loaded for any length of time the necks will stress relieve and bullet tension will change! Once upon a time for 'Leg Matches' toward earning the Distinguished Rifleman's award we had nothing but issue (combat ammo) ammo to shoot which the bullet was treated with a black water proofing compound that would set up as hard as a new grooms whacker! In combination with the problem of stress relieving of the case in conjunction with the black goo....some of us solved the problem by taking a Wilson in-line seater and lowering the bullet by just .010" which broke the seal!! I've also seen the powder in the above mentioned combat ammo do the same thing you've noticed but it shot well to no ill effect!

 

[mac86951]

Thanks guys for your replies.I did clean the brass before loading them. I'll do some test to see if the cleaner I used could have caused it.I did some test with the lube I used and that wasn't the problem. (Hornady spray lube)The powder wasn't old and the rounds wasn't quite a year old.I keep a dehumidfier running 24/7.So I dont think it was air moisture. Thanks again,2bears

Chemistry standard: Minimum of 3 complete volume fill/purges for rinsing. if you pour out 90% of that volume, then 4 or 5 are needed...

I tend to give my brass a good week of drying time, most often the moisture is around the case-head inside. Once dry, I'll use Imperial Die Wax on the outside, graphite neck lube for the neck. I'll don the gloves and wipe clean. From that point on only handled with gloves (bullets too) as just as blued firearms know, our fingerprints are very corrosive.


(Or more likely, I'll load a weekend or two before hitting the range)
-Mac