sooty cases

[chucksniper]

Hi all,
I recently installed a Mcgowen varmint barrel on my Savage 11 .243 . I took it to the range with some handloads and factory loads. The factory loads shot fine, no soot. But my handloads had blowby on the brass and the bolt face. The primer looked fine, it didn't back out, so I'm assuming the head space is ok.

The handloads were a start load, with a 55 grain nosler bt. I full length sized the brass because they wouldn't chamber. I know... I know... I should have partially sized them. Whadda ya think?

 

[AJ Peacock]

Not enough pressure. Clean the chamber well and load them a bit hotter.

AJ

 

[winmagman]

Not enough pressure

I had the exact same thing happen when I first started reloading. I didn't have the benefit of a mentor so I was overly cautious when it came to powder charges. Started below the book listed MIN., talk about some dirty brass!!

Chris

 

[chucksniper]

I firgued as much... when I saw the factory brass. Although I've loaded start
loads before , but not 55 grainers. That's prolly why I never seen sooty brass.

Thanks.