examining fired cases

tnjeff · 04-19-2008, 08:30 PM

After shooting today I was taking a look at the fired cases. All of the fired cases seem to "taper in" slightly towards the rim at the bottom. The taper is about 3/16 long, from the rim to where it starts. I tried to take a pic but it's pretty crummy. Anyway, is this normal or is there a problem?
Thanks,
Jeff

SwedeSteve · 04-19-2008, 09:26 PM

I've bought a lot of once fired brass (different cal) that has that "ring" on it. Didn't ever seem to hurt anything.

tnjeff · 04-19-2008, 09:40 PM

Yeah, after giving it some thought I figured that this is maybe a normal condition for fired steel cases. Could it be a part of the reason that they are not reloadable?

jack007 · 04-19-2008, 09:46 PM

That looks like what I refering to as swollen or a bulgeing.It's happened in three different rifles and the gun shop were I bought them said it was normal. I have not had any problems of any kind.

tnjeff · 04-19-2008, 10:03 PM

Thanks guys. Just paranoid I guess.

SwedeSteve · 04-19-2008, 10:20 PM

Better safe than sorry! And this is exactly why this site is so great!

just_a_car · 04-19-2008, 10:22 PM

Cases have thicker metal near the base of the case and will, thus, not bulge out nearly as much under the same amount of pressure as the rest of the case.

You can see what I mean in this picture of a case cut in half:

Geo M44 · 04-19-2008, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnjeff

Yeah, after giving it some thought I figured that this is maybe a normal condition for fired steel cases. Could it be a part of the reason that they are not reloadable?

Most MilSurp ammo is not reloadable because normal reloading die have a problem resizing steel cases, in addition, Berdan primers are a bear to punch out of the case (steel or brass). That said, Berdan primed brass can be reloaded with difficulty.

SwedeSteve · 04-19-2008, 10:38 PM

Hey JAC! You're cutting cases in half again? Loading up some 3.81x54?

marion57 · 04-20-2008, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnjeff

Thanks guys. Just paranoid I guess.

As steve said Safety first !! Never be afraid to ask !!

R5CYA · 04-20-2008, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwedeSteve

Hey JAC! You're cutting cases in half again? Loading up some 3.81x54?

lol!

my brass cases look like that as well out of both m44's.

tnjeff · 04-20-2008, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Cases have thicker metal near the base of the case and will, thus, not bulge out nearly as much under the same amount of pressure as the rest of the case.

Thanks for the pic. So I guess the thinner part of the case is expanding and the thicker part actually stays the same. Just the opposite of what I thought was happening.

Quote:

As steve said Safety first !! Never be afraid to ask !!

No problem with asking! You guys have taken me from intitial interest, through purchase, cleaning and shooting. Thanks!

04-19-2008, 08:30 PM	#1
tnjeff Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 64 Trader Rating: (0)	examining fired cases After shooting today I was taking a look at the fired cases. All of the fired cases seem to "taper in" slightly towards the rim at the bottom. The taper is about 3/16 long, from the rim to where it starts. I tried to take a pic but it's pretty crummy. Anyway, is this normal or is there a problem? Thanks, Jeff

04-19-2008, 09:26 PM	#2
SwedeSteve Grumpy Old Fart Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: AnchorTown, Alaska Posts: 9,135 Trader Rating: (0)	I've bought a lot of once fired brass (different cal) that has that "ring" on it. Didn't ever seem to hurt anything. __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

04-19-2008, 10:20 PM	#6
SwedeSteve Grumpy Old Fart Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: AnchorTown, Alaska Posts: 9,135 Trader Rating: (0)	Better safe than sorry! And this is exactly why this site is so great! __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

04-19-2008, 10:22 PM	#7
just_a_car Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Edmonds, WA Posts: 3,414 Trader Rating: (0)	Cases have thicker metal near the base of the case and will, thus, not bulge out nearly as much under the same amount of pressure as the rest of the case. You can see what I mean in this picture of a case cut in half: __________________

04-19-2008, 10:38 PM	#9
SwedeSteve Grumpy Old Fart Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: AnchorTown, Alaska Posts: 9,135 Trader Rating: (0)	Hey JAC! You're cutting cases in half again? Loading up some 3.81x54? __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

04-19-2008, 09:40 PM	#3
tnjeff Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 64 Trader Rating: (0)	Yeah, after giving it some thought I figured that this is maybe a normal condition for fired steel cases. Could it be a part of the reason that they are not reloadable?

04-19-2008, 09:46 PM	#4
jack007 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: texas Posts: 130 Trader Rating: (0)	That looks like what I refering to as swollen or a bulgeing.It's happened in three different rifles and the gun shop were I bought them said it was normal. I have not had any problems of any kind.

04-19-2008, 10:03 PM	#5
tnjeff Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 64 Trader Rating: (0)	Thanks guys. Just paranoid I guess.