I have some surplus handloads for a .204 from a varmint shoot last year that I shot today and blew about 5 primer pockets in about 7 shots and gave up. This was a very consistent load and not a hot one by any means but now all of the sudden I am getting serious pressure signs with unfired and once fired hornady brass. I've heard about the bullets getting "sticky" over time causing inconsistencies in neck tension. Any thoughts?
Excessive pressure with old hand loads
- Thread starter skookum
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MagMan
Well-Known Member
Sounds like "cold weld" to me. An oxidation between the bullet and the case. Plenty of reading to do on it.
MNbogboy
Well-Known Member
When you pull the bullets on the rest of the lot you will know right away if it is cold weld. They release with a "snap".
We're the range conditions warmer/hotter than when they were shot previously?
Also another thing to consider is were they exposed to heat/sunlight for any extended period of time? Such as in a glove compartment or trunk of a car for several months.
We're they allowed to "vibrate/shake" in a vehicle for an extended period of time, possibly breaking (grinding) the powder down into smaller particles? When you pull them down you might notice finer/dusty particles.
Barrel conditions such as carbon ring are a thought. Also has there been changes or a lot more use to the bolt/firing pin?
We're the range conditions warmer/hotter than when they were shot previously?
Also another thing to consider is were they exposed to heat/sunlight for any extended period of time? Such as in a glove compartment or trunk of a car for several months.
We're they allowed to "vibrate/shake" in a vehicle for an extended period of time, possibly breaking (grinding) the powder down into smaller particles? When you pull them down you might notice finer/dusty particles.
Barrel conditions such as carbon ring are a thought. Also has there been changes or a lot more use to the bolt/firing pin?
codyadams
Well-Known Member
Exactly this. These were all the exact same things I was thinking to check.
I'll pull a few and see if I notice any snaps but the reason they weren't shot on the ground squirrel trip was because they slid under the seat in my truck and I found them a couple months later so I'd bet that's exactly what caused it. Thanks for the input guys I knew someone would have an answer on here.
villagelightsmith
Well-Known Member
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"over time...?" One year? I've got some factory stuff from the '30's, 40's, and '50's. Mostly stored in a hot attic, lo, these many years. Rifle and shotgun. The old Remington "Nitro" stuff does kick kinda' hard. After a few shots you need to get out the lock-tight and screw your cranium back onto your neck, but ... if you can stand the headache ...
Here's how to avoid this. When you load your ammo, leave you coal about 40 thousandths longer than your actual shooting load. Prior to shooting, just seat them to desired depth, takes 5 mins once ur die is set. This is what I do.
Try seating the bullet about 5thou. deeper and see if that will solve the problem if it is a cold weld problem this will fix it
These rounds spent a good amount of time in my truck and I think that may have caused the problem but I'll give them a bump and see if that does anything.
I used a sonic cleaner on these and I've always hit the necks with a copper brush so its dry brass when being seated. I've always had good results with this practice so I dont believe that's what caused it. Yesterday was much colder than the last day I shot so temperate was definitely not a factor.
I used a sonic cleaner on these and I've always hit the necks with a copper brush so its dry brass when being seated. I've always had good results with this practice so I dont believe that's what caused it. Yesterday was much colder than the last day I shot so temperate was definitely not a factor.
The carbon in the necks will act as a lube of sorts and may stop the problem if the inside is not cleaned so well I have had this problem before and I noticed it was always with new clean brass
MNbogboy
Well-Known Member
I've seen them stuck so hard after 1 year that the bullets "crushed" in the seating stem. But still , never seen pressure signs from cold welded ammo. Not saying it doesn't exist but the point of blowing primers is getting dangerous. Under no circumstances would I shoot another round of that batch.
Just my opinion but breaking it down and starting over would be the route I would take. Doesn't seem like it's worth it to experiment with an unknown. If a case were to rupture (soon after blowing primers) it could not only destroy the rifle but destroy the rifle driver or someone nearby.
JMHO
Just my opinion but breaking it down and starting over would be the route I would take. Doesn't seem like it's worth it to experiment with an unknown. If a case were to rupture (soon after blowing primers) it could not only destroy the rifle but destroy the rifle driver or someone nearby.
JMHO
Carbon can act as a lube of sort short term, but long term can create a crack seal between bullet and case let moister in causing corrosion leading to welding. Using a very clean case that has had light case lube for expander ball smooth operation has been my ticket for never having this issue.
Good to know I will give it a try
