300WSM Reloading Brass Question

[AidanTheEnforcer]

I've been reloading for a few years so I've got a decent understanding of whats going on and how to go about things. Thing is i'm a a small bore guy and i mostly reload for my 22-250, but I have reloaded for my ex-girlfriends brother for 3 years now. This last deer season he had an issue if split necks after the 3rd reload and 4th firing as they started out as Winchester ammo.

Annealing is about the only thing i can think that would save the brass but i don't really have a good way of doing it and my previous attempts haven't gone to well.

So other then annealing what would you all recommend?

All cartridges were loaded within SAMMI spec.
cases were neck sized only so i know this is attributing to the early death of the case.

I have yet to actually see one and I'm not sure if the last firing would put the cases over spec and i could trim them down to fix, presumably only getting another reload or two out of them before failure reoccurred.

 

[lightflight]

I have a 270 WSM and that is about all I get without annealing.

 

[Mikecr]

You should use Win reloading brass. They sell it by bag fulls

 

[AidanTheEnforcer]

OK, I'll check on the price of New Win Brass.

Are any of you able to reference me to any intuitive videos/documentation of annealing. I't hard to tell proper coloring from a YouTube video and I've just never had luck so far. If i could find reliable documentation i think i could make a go of it.

I've planned on creating a mechanical annealing machine once i get it figured out as I've seen a number on YouTube and they are of a fairly simple design.

 

[bbutturff]

Check out this article. Very informative.

The Art and Science of Annealing

I use the powered case holder method.

 

[dragman]

Buy NOSLER or NORMA brass (same thing) I If you anneal you can get 20+ firings out of it easy even if you don't it's still good for at least 10+ if your not hot loading it and sizing it properly.

 

[lightflight]

Buy NOSLER or NORMA brass (same thing) I If you anneal you can get 20+ firings out of it easy even if you don't it's still good for at least 10+ if your not hot loading it and sizing it properly.

10-20+ on WSM brass? I must be doing it wrong. what is your process.

 

[dragman]

I body size the brass in a redding die, then neck size it down to .334 for my .338 neck gun or down to .337 on my .341 neck gun. then load away. Never had a problem, but guns are customs and have very good match chambers.

 

[lightflight]

I body size the brass in a redding die, then neck size it down to .334 for my .338 neck gun or down to .337 on my .341 neck gun. then load away. Never had a problem, but guns are customs and have very good match chambers.

The match chambers might help a little...my factory hunting chamber is probably a little loose . How often do you anneal?

 

[dragman]

Never anneal anymore, I can't see the benifit as I get 10+ already

 

[Mikecr]

Annealing needs are tied to work hardening of brass which is a matter of sizing performed.
Alot of sizing invokes annealing. Little to no sizing eliminates a need for it.

Many assume annealing doesn't hurt, but does it really help? I say often it does not.
Unless you anneal perfectly, A.K.A. lead dip anneal, there is a risk you're adding issues.

 

[BountyHunter]

Annealing needs are tied to work hardening of brass which is a matter of sizing performed.
Alot of sizing invokes annealing. Little to no sizing eliminates a need for it.

Many assume annealing doesn't hurt, but does it really help? I say often it does not.
Unless you anneal perfectly, A.K.A. lead dip anneal, there is a risk you're adding issues.

Loads fired at or near max pressure will work harden by themselves. MikeCR has a self imposed limit of 53,000 PSI while the max for the WSM is 65,000.

In the LR and big cartridge arena sizing body and neck is a must.

Almost every LR competitor anneals every time normally for uniformity of neck tension.

Lead dip annealing is one of the worst and most cumbersome ways to do it. Hot lead is not the safest stuff to be around or breath!! Do not dip a case in it that has drop of water anywere.

Read the articles mentioned here and on 6mmBR.com on annealing and buy some templac crayon sticks. Correct temp range is normally right at 650 degrees.

There are several annealing machines that make it easy (Benchsource, Ken Light, Giraurd) but it can be done my hand after reading and using the correct temp range templac.

Norma brass is very good, but softer than Winchester, which requires a little more sorting. I use Norma for comp guns and Winchester for hunting rifles.

Not shooting nickel cases are you?

 

[AidanTheEnforcer]

I'm just sitting back taking this all in, a lot of good information.

 

[lightflight]

I typically FL/ neck size every other firing. Assuming you Body die to get the benefits of FL sizing with working the brass less but still bump the shoulder back?

My typical hunting load in my 270wsm is a 130gr Barnes TTSX runing 3255 avg. This load doesn't run through brass quickly but when I was developing for 150gr bergers and got of max load brass wasn't lasting long at all. But like you said that was due to pressure. But I'm done with those as my throat is too short to get a good load.

AidanTE sorry if I hijacked...its still on topic right?