I have reloaded for years but I'm no pro. I never crossed the current situation and would like some advice. Could not quite find the answers searching here and yonder...
Old sporterized Carl Gustov 6.5x55 Swede that I picked up for a spare. Turns out to be a shooter -- all groups under 1.5" and the best at around .5"
But --- even in the lightest loads, it flattens primers. Case heads do not enlarge, never blows primers either. No other signs of excessive pressure.
Used the old scotch tape trick, and indeed, seems like it will take about 3 layers of tape before the bolt starts to close hard on an unfired Lapua case.
Crimped primers in some mil-sup FMJ ammo I have, never show any of the above symptoms.
Measured the headspace of unfired Lapua brass with Hornady cartridge headspace setup. Fired brass is regularly about 8 thou longer to the neck. Ditto the mil-sup stuff.
Is this all consistent with excessive headspace?
Can I just make sure to bump the shoulder back only about 2 thou when I size, and that will help prolong brass life and keep my primers in the pockets better?
That is my plan. Its not really worth fixing the gun, and since its such a sweet little shooter, I'd hate to mess up the old girl....
Old sporterized Carl Gustov 6.5x55 Swede that I picked up for a spare. Turns out to be a shooter -- all groups under 1.5" and the best at around .5"
But --- even in the lightest loads, it flattens primers. Case heads do not enlarge, never blows primers either. No other signs of excessive pressure.
Used the old scotch tape trick, and indeed, seems like it will take about 3 layers of tape before the bolt starts to close hard on an unfired Lapua case.
Crimped primers in some mil-sup FMJ ammo I have, never show any of the above symptoms.
Measured the headspace of unfired Lapua brass with Hornady cartridge headspace setup. Fired brass is regularly about 8 thou longer to the neck. Ditto the mil-sup stuff.
Is this all consistent with excessive headspace?
Can I just make sure to bump the shoulder back only about 2 thou when I size, and that will help prolong brass life and keep my primers in the pockets better?
That is my plan. Its not really worth fixing the gun, and since its such a sweet little shooter, I'd hate to mess up the old girl....
