03A3 case question.

[trosturleo]

I went to the shooting range today with my remington made 03a3 and fired 20 shots through it, when I was gathering up the cases I noticed that 2 of them were covered in powder residue, I've never had this happen to me before so I don't have a clue what could cause this and was hoping you guys could inform me, and is this something I have to worry about?

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[browningautorifle]

Seems to me the casing is failing to obturate. That is the case isn't sealing. Are you using a lighter load?

[trosturleo]

I was trying out a couple of different loads, checking them for accuracy. I was using a 167gr lapua scenar bullet on 47-49 gr of N-140, the loading manual gives the starting load for that bullet at 45,5 gr of 140 and with a max load of 50,1
So I guess these load would be medium to high.

[browningautorifle]

Don't get it then, they should be sealing. But that's what it is...

[vintage hunter]

Is it just me or do those cases have a sand blasted look like they were fired in a dirty chamber? Is there a chance they weren't wiped off after loading and the case lube burned off causing the rough texture and sooty residue?

[trosturleo]

This was the first time I loaded those cases so I didn't have to use any case lube just stuck the primer and powder in and then seated the bullet, it might have been a dirty chamber it has been a while since I shot it and honestly I can't remember how well I cleaned the chamber last time. I cleaned it thoroughly after I got back so it will be interesting to see what happens the next time I take it out.