Help! My Garand Has Started Denting Cartridge Cases!
I've had my Garand for decades and have been reloading for her for decades. Have been using the same load (168gr BT over 48.5gr 4064) for the past many years with no problems whatsoever, good accuracy, no operating problems. Now all of a sudden she has started denting cases near the neck. There are two types of dents, as shown in the photos, one type in the shoulder, one type below the shoulder. One of the cases has both types of dents. These cases came from my latest range session. Again, no feed or ejection problems, very good accuracy, just nine dented cases out of 40 fired.
Can someone shed light on what would cause this and what I can do to fix it? Also, will these dents fire out next time I fire the round? Thanks in advance for any help.
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From looking at some slow motion videos I'd say the dents are from the case hitting the op rod/sights or similar on ejection. As to why it has started now???
Had you freshly anealed the cases? Changed brass? Changed how you anealed it?
Edit.
There is a thread on here called "m1 garand ejector tuning?" That might have some ideas on the mechanical side of things. Sorry i can't create a link on my phone.
It's not a problem and not unusual. In the military it doesn't matter at all either. The dents will pop out but there will be a small scar there. You could do what most of do, and not worry about it. A stated, they strike the op rod.
Thanks, guys. I've been through the suggested thread and some others. I'm satisfied it's not a huge issue, but what still bugs me is why it just started now. Same rifle, same casings, same load, new problem. I'm going to do a better job of cleaning the chamber and greasing lube points. I've never disassembled the gas cylinder for cleaning. Is that a possibility?
im going to say check your chamber.... if you can find someone with a bore scope take a look in there. my thoughts on why it might be chamber debris. dents are ti uniform. and also to "smooth" op rod dings are usually more on the body. the neck and shoulder tend to be off the rear sight. Watch some slow motion videos and you will have a better idea.
Have you popped any primers in the recent past? Your dents looked "formed" vs "dented" I dont have access to my pictures but I could show you many cases that have dinged off my M1 and they look more like creases and kinks
Thanks for more good feedback. Yesterday I gave the chamber a good going over with my M3A1 brush, so that should eliminate that possibility. Also tore her down, cleaned and greased, better than usual. Clips are loaded, range bag packed, targets rolled, waiting for some decent weather. Even here in Houston it gets cold and windy in January, not good range conditions...
Cool video. Our casings lead a very violent life.
Looking forward to reporting undented casings by the end of next week...
Those look more like hydraulic dents from using too much case lube during the resizing process of hand loading. Did you notice the dents before or after resizing the cases?
Jon
Musketjon, a good thought, but I'm hoping that's not it. I lightly spray my casings then roll them in a towel before depriming/resizing. I then check and correct case length before tumbling. That's a lot of handling not to have noticed these dents. There's a chance I got carried away during one of my reloading sessions and oversprayed. I will certainly be on the lookout now.
Still waiting for the right day to run some more rounds through her...
for decades and have been reloading for her for decades. Have been using the same load (168gr BT over 48.5gr 4064) for the past many years with no problems whatsoever, good accuracy, no operating problems. Now all of a sudden she has started denting cases near the neck. There are two types of dents, as shown in the photos, one type in the shoulder, one type below the shoulder. One of the cases has both types of dents. These cases came from my latest range session. Again, no feed or ejection problems, very good accuracy, just nine dented cases out of 40 fired.
PM
