303 Brass Web Seperation

[mausernut]

I finally got smart and bought a neck sizing die for my 303,s as I have 9 of them and have found that with full length resizing I only get about 3 reloads before my Casemaster tells me it is time to dispose of them. 2 questions: 1 how many reloads should i expect to get when neck sizing 303 cases? 2 was sitting here waiting for my computer to restart before doing something else. There were 6 cases sitting here so just for fun I went and grabbed the Casemaster and checked them . These have been fired 3 times now from new. One of them has evidence that there is a problem with the web. So I then checked all my fired cases and this is the only one. The line hasn't appeared on the case. Was this case defective from the beginning? Or am I worrying too much?

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[enfield303t]

IMO it is tough to give a estimate how long a case will last. I have a few hundred .303 brass so rarely shoot any one case that often so have never had a fail. I just touch the shoulder so hope to get at least 7 or ??, have some at 3 now.

If loaded close to max. for sure that will cut into case life so you have to take that into consideration. Depends on the quality of the brass as well as the gun/chamber itself, most people I know recommend you use the same brass only in same gun.

[ActionYobbo]

depending on the quality of brass you start with you should get 20 or more if you anneal the shoulder and neck every 3rd time

I get over 10 when I full length size them but I never use winchester brass.

I posted this in 2015.

303 british case life (my experiments)
there is alot of variables in case life in my experience and I did a test
I took 10 of each case from what I had and loaded and reloaded them and kept track of them.
The load was 38 grains of 4895 and a 150 FMJ pulled from 7.62x54r
cases were annealed and trimmed every 5 loads
cases listed from worst to best
remington all gone by 4 loads for head seperation
winchester all gone by 5 loads for head seperation
ppu/nny all 10 made it to 9 loads but were all gone by 12 for neck splits
HXP 8 made it to 8 loads by 15 I had 2 left I still have 1 left thats loaded for the 20th time
Iraq (surplus converted to boxer by me) lost one to a reloading mistake but the remaining nine made it to 12 then by 17 I had 2 left. those 2 are loaded for go 20
RG1944 (surplus converted to boxer by me) all 10 made it to 10 then at 15 I had 6 left at 19 there was 5 . I have 3 left that are loaded for number 20
the brass was all full length resized and used in a different gun every time around.

other notes
I boiled the Iraq and RG42 cases in water to get the salts out when I first got them.
All the cases get washed between reloads. They get sized then get a bath in hot water and a bit of yellow ajax then rinsed and dried.
I anneal the top 1/3 of the case
Trim length is 2.22"
they get fired from 7 different guns
All cases get crimped with the lee factory crimp die.

update:and then there was 3
I have only 3 cases left now one HXP 69, one RG 1942 and one Iraq 1909 (1959).
They have made it to 22

these cases were fired from SMLE's, No4's, a bren and a vickers
the point is if you start out with good brass you will go further than if you start out with crap brass

if you neck size you will have to bump the shoulder every 5+or- reloads depending on how hot you load them

[Parashooter]

Too many variables for accurate prediction -

• Brass composition
• Brass hardness
• Brass thickness
• Chamber pressure
• Chamber finish
• Presence of lubricant on case or in chamber

Here's one example -

[browningautorifle]

Or am I worrying too much?

We get this all the time here and it always comes out the same. There's nothing you can do to keep them from separating, you only prolong it. I shoot them until they break and have a stuck case tool with me. They go scrap then. Examine them before loading...just have fun and use them until they break. Stop worrying.

[ActionYobbo]

Too many variables for accurate prediction -

• Brass composition
• Brass hardness
• Brass thickness
• Chamber pressure
• Chamber finish
• Presence of lubricant on case or in chamber

Here's one example -


http://www.milsurps.com/images/impor...7/afk9ia-1.jpg

what you are doing there is a very dangerous practice. what you are doing is forcing all the chamber pressure to become bolt thrust. The case under pressure is suppose to stick to the chamber walls but by adding lube to prevent this from happening you are basically firing a proof round every time as the locking lugs are taking all the weight.
Chambers should be clean and dry and cases should be clean and dry.

[browningautorifle]

you are basically firing a proof round every time

a very dangerous practice.

I agree sir...

[Parashooter]

Horsefeathers, gentlemen. The Lee-Enfield is, of course, designed with plenty of strength for wet/greasy/oily cases or chambers. You are victims of a widespread myth purporting that the L-E action relies on the strength of the thin case wall to hold it together. Think about it! Better yet, try it, see what happens, and report your results. I have - no harm done to shooter or rifle.

If you accept the myth, please be sure to keep your cases and chambers clean and dry. You have nothing to lose but a bit of case longevity and you may gain some accuracy - eliminating a variable introduced by inconsistent lubrication.

[ActionYobbo]

Horsefeathers, gentlemen. The Lee-Enfield is, of course, designed with plenty of strength for wet/greasy/oily cases or chambers. You are victims of a widespread myth purporting that the L-E action relies on the strength of the thin case wall to hold it together. Think about it! Better yet, try it and see. I have - no harm done to shooter or rifle.

some reading for you

https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=496822

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/201...hamber-is-bad/



I am just putting it out there so people can be well informed and make their own decision.

[mausernut]

Thanks for the info. I am going to use that case some more as the movement on the gauge was only a couple of thousandths, but it will be marked so I can keep an eye on it.
As all of my guns will mostly be used for hunting 5 to 7 reloads from them will be fine. Most of the time my deer hunting involves 1 shot. I do do some target shooting with them but until I retire I won't have time to shoot enough ( as this is my stress relief it is frustrating. Wanted to shoot last night but my MS caught up with me and my energy went to 0.) One of these days I am going to get to shoot until i have a recoil headache (only managed this twice). Life sucks because it keeps getting in the road.

As to brass lasting in other guns I have found Federal to be the worst for coming apart at the web. I usually shy away from it. Have had really good luck in other guns with Winchester. Not even sure how many loads I have for my 6.5 x 55 and my 30-06 Mexican Mauser and it is still fine.

I usually try to use different makes of brass for each gun to make it easier to keep them separate. Really like to start with new brass for each gun but I find the selection in local gun stores is abysmal. Hate buying factory ammunition just to get brass. Trying to empty my ammo cabinet of all factory ammo so I have room for my reloads.

Thanks
Cecil