Case measurment

[broham]

I have some Rem And Win brass that I have Loaded up to 6 times. Since this is for a bolt I only neck size and bump the shoulder when needed. So far I have not felt a groove inside the case near the base to check for thin spots. I read that some people also measure the base diamiter to check for case expantion at that piont.( I understand the case shouldn't really expand here much) I have not checked this measurment in the begining so I have no idea how much case growth has occured here. Wouldn't I feel a groove inside the case base before the brass expanded to the piont of rupture at the case head? I trim my brass each loading, their isn't much growth at all in length if any. Do you guys measure base expantion on your brass? Will case failure come in other ways before excesive case expantion? Maybe I am to woried about this, I just don't like surprises. Thanks for any and all input.

 

[rcmodel]

If you can't feel a stretch ring inside the case, you are good.

Case head expansion is meaningless if you don't know what they started out at.

But by the time head expansion became an issue, loose primer pockets would also rear their ugly head.

SO, it sounds like you are good.

rc

 

[Walkalong]

Measuring case head expansion is to check for over pressure. If your loads are within pressure limits you are OK 99% of the time. If it still sizes OK, and still chambers fine, and you don't feel that tell tale thin spot inside near the case head, you are OK.

Hmmm... I need to work on my typing speed. Hey rc

 

[The Bushmaster]

It's not so much your typing speed as much as it is your trigger speed...

 

[rcmodel]

Hmmm... I need to work on my typing speed. Hey rc

I was thinking your answer was more well thought out, which takes longer.
And better addressed the case head expansion & excess pressure then my hurried reply!

rc

 

[Walkalong]

Nah, both had good points.

I'll work on it Bushmaster.