Brass problem question

[8x68]

I have a 7mm STW and after about 4 firings the case either ends up with a headspace separation ring you can feel with your fingernail or just flat out cracks as posted by the OP. I use Remington cases currently. I have yet to have a case indent happen when shooting. I neck size after the first firing of new brass.

 

[8x68]

OK, what was/is the purpose of the belt anyway? I see many of the older larger bore cartridges and newer larger bore cartridges without a belt? Question to anyone viewing this? Thanks!

As per the definition from Gun Digest:
Belted Magnum Cases: A Myth Dispelled. Many tend to think the belt on belted magnums is to help the cartridges handle high pressure. In reality, the belt creates proper headspace in a rifle's chamber. ... That beautiful belt has nothing at all to do with strength; it serves to function as a means of headspacing

 

[bruce moulds]

until you reload the case.
then you set up headspace off the shoulder.
in modern times there is no reason factory ammo could not be loaded to also headspace off the shoulder.
bruce.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Headspacing fired belted rounds off the belt has pretty much gone the way of neck only sizing.

 

[Firebird]

Got the new Sierra manual from midwayusa today. It’s a bit different than the 1978 version that decorated my shelf previous days.

 

[sestoppelman]

I have a 7mm STW and after about 4 firings the case either ends up with a headspace separation ring you can feel with your fingernail or just flat out cracks as posted by the OP. I use Remington cases currently. I have yet to have a case indent happen when shooting. I neck size after the first firing of new brass.

Sounds like you are waiting too long. Use the bent wire probe method and watch for the insipient separation line just above the belt. But the probe is the most reliable. If you can feel it on the outside, that's waiting too long. Try Winchester cases too, they usually will way outlast Rem cases.

 

[Opposite Pole]

View attachment 292401 Got the new Sierra manual from midwayusa today. It’s a bit different than the 1978 version that decorated my shelf previous days.

Could you do me a favour and check something please. I’ve got the 5th edition and data for 223Rem (bolt) #1410 52gr HPBT states COAL of 2.250” however their app states 2.210”. What does your printed edition recommend? Load data is rather different too. For instance the 5th ed states starting load of 24.1gr of H335 while the app 22.4gr both for 2900fps.

 

[bruce moulds]

opposite pole,
far better to measure throat length and magazine length, and set up your loads for your rifle.
bruce.

 

[Firebird]

Mr.PoleHere is what you asked for-good luck with it-

 

[CoElkHunter]

View attachment 292401 Got the new Sierra manual from midwayusa today. It’s a bit different than the 1978 version that decorated my shelf previous days.

Not that anybody really cares, but I have the 1971 Sierra reloading manual. When I was 16yoa with my new drivers' license, I would drive to the Sierra bullet manufacturing plant in Santa Fe Springs, Ca. from 6 miles where I grew up. I would buy bullet "seconds" by the pound for my .270 and my brother's .308. They would put the bullets in brown paper lunch bags. I bought 130gr and 150gr boattails for my .270 and 165gr boattails for the .308. Usually, the only issue with the seconds was some lead extruding from the lead tip. I just broke it off and good to go for practice rounds. At 16, I reloaded many rounds and still have two of the original bags with both .270 and .308 bullets. Sierra got smart a number of decades ago as did I, and moved the h*** out of California. Just some personal Sierra bullets reloading history.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Headspacing fired belted rounds off the belt has pretty much gone the way of neck only sizing.

Just curious, why no more neck sizing only? I thought that increased the useable life of a brass case? Thanks.

 

[Opposite Pole]

Just curious, why no more neck sizing only? I thought that increased the useable life of a brass case? Thanks.

Neck sizing can lead to concentricity issues and eventually one needs to FL size anyway for the reloads to fit in the chamber. If you FL size but set your dies to only bump the shoulder 2 thou or so you’re not overworking your brass and it fits in your chamber perfectly each and every time. This may not be the biggest deal at the range but sure is in the field.

 

[8x68]

Sounds like you are waiting too long. Use the bent wire probe method and watch for the insipient separation line just above the belt. But the probe is the most reliable. If you can feel it on the outside, that's waiting too long. Try Winchester cases too, they usually will way outlast Rem cases.

Kinda figured that I was waiting too long but affordable 7mm STW brass isn't the easiest to come buy so I was trying to push my luck with the case life.