Dumb reloading mistake

ColoradoElk · 08-11-2003, 06:48 PM

Hi everyone:

I loaded up 100 each, (brass & nickel plated) new Remington .416 with 300 gr barnes X. The brass I loaded to 82 gr, the nickel plated, 91 gr of RL 15). I shot about 1/2 of the brass cartridges without problem. Went to the range today and the nickel plated won' t chamber. I don' t know what happened, but the body, just below the shoulder is 8 thousandths!! larger, on every nickel case. I am certain I sized the cases the same way. Has this happened to anyone else??? The question I hope you can help me with, is, what can I do??? Can I safely try to resize the shoulder? All other dimensions are identical. Thanks for your help.

Deleted User · 08-11-2003, 08:00 PM

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ColoradoElk · 08-11-2003, 08:19 PM

Thanks DG, I suspected that might be the case, but hoped not. I do have another question though. I had about a dozen nickel cases leftover because I ran out of powder. The uncharged nickel cases are exactly the same size as the brass fired/unfired cases. It is possible for a powder charge to actually bulge the case???

Deleted User · 08-12-2003, 03:06 AM

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eldeguello · 08-12-2003, 05:28 AM

Is the 91-grain load heavily compressed? If so, I guess it is conceivable that the spot just below the shoulder could become expanded .008" by this, but I have never HAD such a thing happen to me with a heavily compressed load. About the only thing I have seen is bullets backing out a little. You might try putting this load into a couple of the brass cases that worked OK to see if the same thing happens.

ColoradoElk · 08-12-2003, 07:28 AM

The load is heavily compressed. I have the bullets seated to just below the maximum COL of 3.6" I spoke to several other people and the consensus is a " powder bulge" . The Barnes Manual specifies 91 gr of RL 15 as max charge, but with other powders, they go as low as 86 grains for the same velocity. I guess the case is just too small for the 91 grains. Thanks for your help.

handloader1 · 08-12-2003, 10:00 PM

Give Barnes a call. 1-800-574-9200. Good luck.

eldeguello · 08-13-2003, 06:37 AM

Quote:

I spoke to several other people and the consensus is a " powder bulge" .

I thought this could be the cause!

Russ otten · 08-13-2003, 06:47 PM

Check the capacity of the Nickel cases against the brass. They might not have room for that size load.
Russ