Even though on their fifth round, it still appears to be a length problem. Did you actually mike them to determine length? If so, how do they compare with those that aren't bulged?

 

Hatch,

No to the micrometer measurement for length. I use a ruler. ALL cases were same length. I also use the Lee case trimmer kit that is premeasured for exact 30-06 case length.

Remember that NOTHING defective or deformed went INTO the range box. These rounds sat on my bench for three days before going into my range bag.

I am saving the rounds for nostalgic purposes. I have fired over 1,000,000 minigun (.308 +P+), 20mm cannon, 30mm cannon, and 40mm grenades during my career in Army Attack Aviation.

I have never seen a round shaped like these two 30-06 rounds.

Thanks,

JP

 

The deformation is in the case neck, just about at the shoulder?
Best Guess:
The last reloading step would have been crimping. IS possible that over crimping collapesed the case. Most likely a couple of extra long cases got sent to the crimping station and was boxed un noticed. Most seating dies are a loose fit on everything but the forward psart of the case neck.

 

ribbonstone's thought is the same as mine. If its deformed below the neck (typically at the shoulder), the normal cause is a crimping problem, normally caused by a long case. He's also correct that the seating dies are a loose fit except at the crimp station. I've had the same thing happen when using soft brass (with not enough chamfer), and a bullet that didn't want to seat. The case mouth gets pushed back a bit, and the case expands, or deforms at the shoulder junction. I too, have fired hundreds of thousands of rounds during my miltary and hunting career, and have been loading for almost 30 years. But, i still get one like that occasionally, and expect most others do also. I can't think of any way that could happen in the box without damaging other shells also. I'm familiar with the Lee trimmer, use them myself on occasion, but its also possible that you had a couple of cases escape the trimming process for whatever reason.

 

Since you mention that you are loading along with your young son, I would suggest there is room for some error in the loading process. Not to blame the youngun, mind you, but when two people are loading there is always a possibility for miscommunication, distraction, etc.

Try inserting your deformed rounds into the seating die again, as if you were seating the bullets now. Don't force them! If they can enter the die with a minimum of force, I think the problem occured in seating, and were simply put into the box unnoticed. If they will not enter the seating die, you have a mystery I can't explain! Let us know if you can run them into the seating die...

 

How funny...I just had this happen last week while loading my wifes .223 rounds. Since they are just pratice loads, I don't trim cases down to .001 like I do on my hunting rifle. I adjusted the seating die and went to work. When I was done I found 6 out of 50 that had bulged cases just below the neck.

After further inspection found that the bullet seating die was adjusted down only 1/8 of a turn too much. It was fine for the majority of the cases; however, for the cases that were slightly longer (.005) it made contact with the top of case neck and bulged out the brass.

Simple fix...I adjusted the die main body up (counterclockwise) 1/8 of a turn and dialed the center stem down (clockwise). Never saw the problem again.

I have not been reloading that long, nor have I been to war with 15 confirmed kills under my belt, but some of the problem may be with measuring case OAL with a ruler vs. a more precise tool. I would also have to guess that there are more rounds bulged than you think. They just are not bulged enough for the eye to see and only the tight clearances in chamber would notice.

In short I believe since it was your 5th time reloading these cases that it was not the cases needing to be trimmed more, but just a simple die adjustment that was slightly off. You can't always trust the set screws on the side of die body...I have been burned by them so now I mic all cases and keep the die on the safe side. Doesn't seem to hurt to have the die 1/8 turn to high when seating bullets to cases.

 

Have to go along with the concensus, if the oal is in spec, check your die.

Been there, done that. I believe most of us have over the years.

 

Evenin' Gentlemen,

I concur on the probability that my son and I were interrupted because I distinctly remember looking at my wife while Michael was seating the rounds. I did not ask Michael to immediately stop the press. I did ask my wife not to interrupt us while we were reloading(politely). I think the entire exchange took maybe 30-45 seconds...about the time to seat two bullets.

Since the guy seating the bullets is also the guy who puts the finished product in to the Franklin range box (after visual inspection of the round) I can see where I probably missed seeing Michael perform this step since I was looking at his mother.

I am also going to concur on the probability that either the seating die is the culprit OR Michael did not get a good smooth stroke and seating angle. Since the big bulge on both rounds is just BELOW the shoulder it is logical to imagine the upstroke of the press in my 13 year old's arm.

I know that after 150 rounds of 30-06 ammo I have come to FEEL the upstroke while seating a bullet. If it doesn't feel right I back out and take a look. Fortunately this rarely happens.

Since both Michael and I have traded places over that past couple of months in duties and responsibilities I have learned a valuable lesson that did NOT result in any injuries.

1. IF interrupted for ANY reason STOP reloading. IF I am reloading with my son or daughter I will ask them to also STOP immediately until the interruption has passed. When my EYES have confirmed a complete stop to reloading, then and only then, will I look up to deal with the interruption.

2. Continue reloading AFTER the interruption has ended and you have taken a moment to study your reloading process...ie...where was I and what exactly was I doing and who was I reloading with.

3. Double check all rounds after the reloading process. I admit that after the third reload on this brass I started measuring the 3rd or 4th round to verify continuity since my visual confirmed 'looking good' and my OAL was well within limits.

4. Never be to proud to ask for help or guidance regardless of background or experience level. This website has been a blessing for those of us new to reloading.

Thank you all for your help and expertise.

JP

 

A bullet base can hang up on a case mouth also... FYI. Yes 'feel' for the process is important.

 

Went over my notes on this and found what everyone else is saying here. Always nice to agree with people I find. Had bulging like this happen in both my 340 Weatherby and 7 BR Remington. Haven't done this for awhile, maybe I am getting better...lol. Found various causes all relating to pushing on the case mouth. Confirmed Mike's comment on square base bullet hang up on case mouth, overcrimping was a definite cause in both calibers too. At the time I wondered if Weatherby rounds might be a little more prone to this because of the nature of the shoulder. Cheers! Fred