Squashed Brass
 

So, I have a Lee "o" Frame press and I reloaded my first 20 30.06 by myself. When I went to the range, I was shooting just fine and then I couldnt chamber one of the reloads. I removed it from the rifle and found that the shoulder appeared to be pointed, like it was compressed in the press. I looked at the rest of my loads and found a few more just like it. What did I do wrong?

RE: Squashed Brass
 

If they are dents,then we call those hydro dents. Too much lube.

One thing you might be doing is when you setup your seater die, you need to screw it in so it just touches your shell holder then back it out completely 1 turn. I see a lot of new reloaders who set it up like thier sizing die and it will crush your case. Built in the seating die is a crimper that causes this.

RE: Squashed Brass
 

Thanks, ya know, I didnt back off a full turn after I adjusted the seating die. My buddy told me that I crimped my cases and I didnt know that could be done without a special crimping die. Now I know. Thanks. Im gonna do up another 20 tonight so I will let you know how I did. Also, I am using H4895 and Benchmark. They appear to be quite simular as far as grain/FPS. is one better than the other or is it preferance? Thanks.

RE: Squashed Brass
 

Yup, no dents. Just a crushed shoulder.

RE: Squashed Brass
 

Well, you went a little further than crimping them:D.

Don't worry, its a common mistake. I even sometimes have to remind myself.

RE: Squashed Brass
 

My last 20 reloads went just fine. I re-adjusted the seating die and no problems. As far as the powder goes, I cant find much. I was lucky enough to find one pound of H4895. Benchmark is abundant so......I bought two pounds. I also took the last two pounds of Titegroup for my .45.The Benchmark may be a bit fast but, I have powder AND primers. I live in CA close to the NV boarder and its going out faster than they can get it in. Cabelas, Scheels, Sportsman, Mom & Pop shops......everywhere. I buy what I can when I can. We have a gun show comming up next weekend in Reno NV so I reckon I will be camping out over night to be first in line. Thanks for all the help.

RE: Squashed Brass
 

Yes. You probably have a situation where your seating die tried to crimp the case at a spot where the bullet did not have a groove (cannelure) for the case mouth to crimp into. The case mouth had to go somewhere. So it collapsed the shoulder of the case from the inside out, making it too big for the chamber..... Set the seating die as BC has indicated.

RE: Squashed Brass
 

Glad you solved your problem.