Case deformities

[wworker]

I noticed many .223 cases are slightly dented (but not punctured) on the body during ejection from semi autos, probably AR-15s or M4s.

Are slightly dented bodies an issue or will these spring back (fire form) upon firing after a reload?

Also, another general question on any caliber, are slightly bent necks an issue or will the resizing die take care of those too?

 

[rcmodel]

Small dents are not an issue unless they run clear across the shoulder and into the body. That could potentially open a path for high-pressure gas to get a way out, and that wouldn't be a good thing.

Neck dings and small body dents won't hurt a thing. The sizing die will take care of them.

I'm not sure how you are getting bent necks on fired brass unless there is a crooked chamber in your rifle.

Once fired brass conforms to the rifle chamber by fire-forming, it should end up just as straight, or crooked as the rifles chamber is.


rcmodel

 

[rg1]

No problems with dented necks as the die will straighten them. If they are dented too much you need to use a tool to open them up so that the expander plug will start through. Dents to the case body are not a problem and after firing most of the dent will be ironed out, unless you put more dents in yourself. Just so the dent is not a deep gouge or deep cut that could weaken the brass and you'll be okay. Some semi-autos are harder on brass than others. I'd check the case head for bent rims and use a smooth file to insure that the case head is flat. Some extractors on semi-autos bend the rim. Also I'd check for the horseshoe shaped mark left on some brass heads by the ejector hole and file them down smooth. Sounds like you've bought some once fired brass so I'd check each case with the bent sharpened wire feel method to check for possible case separation or cracks and I'd do this on all your fired cases as sooner or later you'll find a bad case.

 

[The Bushmaster]

I NEVER use somone else's reloads...NEVER!!!

 

[wworker]

I spent this afternoon inspecting about a thousand .223 cases and straightening the ones with dented neck with a tampered punch.

This batch of brass came from me picking up brass at the local range over the past 2 years, my prelude to getting into reloading.

 

[AirplaneDoc]

I am guessing this is what you are refering to.



Kind of hard to get a pic of, so I highlighted with a sharpie, I believe these are from the ejection of the case. I nave noticed them on some if my cases as well. I don't believe they are a problem, as long as they are not too deep.

 

[wworker]

AirplaneDoc, that's right, what I was asking about.

Some ARs eject rearward and the shells hit the deflector, causing the body dents.

My AR deflects slightly forward and there are no dents, but there's lots of .223 cases available with the small dents.