Start of case head separation? (It is a chamber scratch!)

[CA_Shooter]

UPDATE: scratch is from a scratch on the chamber. See post #54

I've used the paperclip test on multiple pieces of brass and don't feel anything out of the ordinary. I see the same tiny cut on both twice and three times fired brass.

Its Hornady 6.5 creedmoor.

I have been full length sizing and have not been bumping the shoulders back (just got the part and will be doing it going forward)

Is this the start of case head separation? A lot of my 2x and 3x fired brass have it.

Would you guys toss it? I have a lot of Hornady brass lying around

 

[Straightshooter1]

I've used the paperclip test on multiple pieces of brass. I see the same tiny cut on both twice and three times fired brass.

Its Hornady 6.5 creedmoor.

I have been full length sizing and have not been bumping the shoulders back (just got the part and will be doing it going forward)

Is this the start of case head separation? A lot of my 2x and 3x fired brass have it.

Would you guys toss it? I have a lot of Hornady brass lying around

That's what it appears to be. What does your paperclip test tell you?

Here's what some that I had looked like that are more severe:

 

[CA_Shooter]

That's what it appears to be. What does your paperclip test tell you?

Here's what some that I had looked like that are more severe:

View attachment 1212656

Paperclip test is normal. I don't feel anything inside.

Should I scrap this brass or do I have some more firings in them?

 

[Doug Beach]

Cut one apart and look. You’ll learn something, either way.

 

[Dub]

I would probably scrap it. not worth the cost of failure

 

[KRP]

Is there a daggy bit in your sizing die that is causing that?

 

[Straightshooter1]

Paperclip test is normal. I don't feel anything inside.

Should I scrap this brass or do I have some more firings in them?

Hmmm??? So, you're saying that they all (or many of them) look like that?

When I first saw the light colored ring around my brass (not exterior indentation of any kind) I could feel a slight depression with my paperclip in the area of that ring. I decided to load some up and fire them and the above picture shows that result and I definitely got rid of them, except for one that I want to test and the result you can see below, which resulted in a very light etch on my chamber wall.

If you can't feel anything inside and it just feels smooth all the way back to the web, then it doesn't seem like there's any risk at this point. BUT . . . it's important to be safe so that you don't risk injury and damage to your gun.

 

[CA_Shooter]

Now I'm puzzled. Opened it up (only had pliers to open it with) and I don't see anything where that scratch on the outside is

 

[jelenko]

Does that line go all the way around the case? In the pic, I can only see the line extending 30-40 degrees.
If it goes all the way around the case, it's the start of case separation. When you very first see the signs, the 'dip' inside the case can be very shallow. I've found I have to 'test' the feel on parts of the wall that have no signs [e.g., further up the wall] or simply a new case.
And, use the paper clip on several spots around the case.

ETA. Just saw the pic you posted before this post - odd, but, if it's only on a few cases, I'd still trash them. I'd guess you'd simply discovered the start at a very early stage.

 

[CA_Shooter]

Does that line go all the way around the case? In the pic, I can only see the line extending 30-40 degrees.
If it goes all the way around the case, it's the start of case separation. When you very first see the signs, the 'dip' inside the case can be very shallow. I've found I have to 'test' the feel on parts of the wall that have no signs [e.g., further up the wall] or simply a new case.
And, use the paper clip on several spots around the case.

ETA. Just saw the pic you posted before this post - odd, but, if it's only on a few cases, I'd still trash them. I'd guess you'd simply discovered the start at a very early stage.

The cut/ding is only that one spot. Isn't anywhere else on the brass

 

[CA_Shooter]

Is there a daggy bit in your sizing die that is causing that?

Not sure, how would I know?

 

[Straightshooter1]

No a I'm puzzled. Opened it up (only had pliers to open it with) and I don't see anything where that scratch on the outside is

Your first picture doesn't look like there's a ring that goes all the way around, which would be typical of casehead separation happening. So, it may be something else . . . ???

Here's what the inside of my cases that were separating looked like when looking at them with a borescope:

 

[CA_Shooter]

Your first picture doesn't look like there's a ring that goes all the way around, which would be typical of casehead separation happening. So, it may be something else . . . ???

Here's what the inside of my cases that were separating looked like when looking at them with a borescope:

View attachment 1212667


View attachment 1212668

Consistenly only in that one spot. So I guess (good thing) its not case head separation

 

[jelenko]

The cut/ding is only that one spot. Isn't anywhere else on the brass

Ah! Could just be a dent/shallow scratch from something. You might try taking a resized case that doesn't have the 'ding' and chambering/extracting - maybe something in your chamber?
Do you know for sure the brass didn't have those lines when new? When did you first notice the dings? Does it seem the % of cases with dings has increased with number of resizings?

 

[CA_Shooter]

Ah! Could just be a dent/shallow scratch from something. You might try taking a resized case that doesn't have the 'ding' and chambering/extracting - maybe something in your chamber?
Do you know for sure the brass didn't have those lines when new? When did you first notice the dings? Does it seem the % of cases with dings has increased with number of resizings?

I just noticed them today actually for the first time. The brass with 2 and 3 firings only have one ding so there must not be an increase with firings.

I'll have to pay attention - and see what happens with a new piece of brass after sizing and after shooting to see where its coming from

 

[PatMiles]

Your first picture doesn't look like there's a ring that goes all the way around, which would be typical of casehead separation happening. So, it may be something else . . . ???

Here's what the inside of my cases that were separating looked like when looking at them with a borescope:

View attachment 1212667


View attachment 1212668

Using a borescope is a great Idea!

 

[KRP]

I'll have to pay attention - and see what happens with a new piece of brass after sizing and after shooting to see where its coming from

This is a good idea.

Not sure, how would I know?

Do what you're planning, shoot/size some new brass and see what happens.

 

[Uncle Ed]

I use a $100.00 bent paper clip, its called a RCBS case mastering gauge.

Its a mandatory gauge if you own a .303 British Enfield rifle.

This factory loaded Winchester .303 British case below stretched and thinned .009 on its first firing.

Below the third firing.

 

[cheek9075]

Scrap the brass. Just th 2 cents..

 

[MGYSGT]

Just went through this. Bolt was clicking/sticking on opening. Trimmed and set the shoulder back and it went away.. Problem was, that 20 out of 20 cut the case. Didn't notice it until the relay was over. Guess I set back the shoulder too much. Discarded all the brass that were set back too far.