New Brass too short?

[Weatherby_Eyebrow]

Brand new to reloading. I’m having issues with light primer strikes. I thought it was related to primer seating depth which i’m working on. This round ( the first photo) got stuck and had to be tapped out with a rod. So i tracked down a case gauge and perhaps the new brass isn’t quite to spec. The brass sits down and is not flush.

Most of them 90% (second photo) seem fine.

My Process:
New Starline 223 Brass
Run - neck expander mandrel
Prime - BR-4
Powder - Varget
Seat bullet - 80.5 Berger


Is this common with Starline brass? Other brass?

Is there a way to fix this on the brass that is too short?


Thanks
Newbie reloader.

 

[straightshooter1]

Brand new to reloading. I’m having issues with light primer strikes. I thought it was related to primer seating depth which i’m working on. This round ( the first photo) got stuck and had to be tapped out with a rod. So i tracked down a case gauge and perhaps the new brass isn’t quite to spec. The brass sits down and is not flush.

Most of them 90% (second photo) seem fine.

My Process:
New Starline 223 Brass
Run - neck expander mandrel
Prime - BR-4
Powder - Varget
Seat bullet - 80.5 Berger


Is this common with Starline brass? Other brass?

Is there a way to fix this on the brass that is too short?


Thanks
Newbie reloader.



View attachment 8579619View attachment 8579620

Yup, that case's headspace is too short and will cause light strikes like that. Cases need fire forming. If running these short cases through a sizing die doesn't help, you might simply try using a primers that are thinner (like CCI-400's) where the firing pin might do a better job of igniting the primer. BR-4's are thicker skinned and typically a good choice for your application. But for now and until you get at least one firing on them, I'd use the 400's and maybe even be sure they're seated a little higher (as long as they're not above flush to the bases the the case).

 

[Weatherby_Eyebrow]

Yup, that case's headspace is too short and will cause light strikes like that. Cases need fire forming. If running these short cases through a sizing die doesn't help, you might simply try using a primers that are thinner (like CCI-400's) where the firing pin might do a better job of igniting the primer. BR-4's are thicker skinned and typically a good choice for your application. But for now and until you get at leas one firing on them, I'd use the 400's and maybe even be sure they're seated a little higher (as long as they're not above flush to the bases the the case.

Thank you for the tip, i’ll give it a go.

 

[supercorndogs]

The solution for fireforming these in my opnion would be backing off the load and jamming the bullet into the lands. That shoukd help the case blow the shoulder forward also, instead of stretching at the case head end.

 

[Weatherby_Eyebrow]

The solution for fireforming these in my opnion would be backing off the load and jamming the bullet into the lands. That shoukd help the case blow the shoulder forward also, instead of stretching at the case head end.

How much do you like to back the load off? Min load from the manual or even lower?

 

[DownhillFromHere]

I bought 1000 new same-lot Starline .223 cases several years ago. They do run short. A buddy of mine experienced the same thing with his Starline .223 brass.
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I second the previous suggestion to fireform cases using CCI 400 primers instead of your BR-4 (or CCI 450 magnum) primers. I'd do this before fiddling with reduced charges. You may encounter carbon smeared all down the sides of your reduced-charge cases because there's not enough pressure to expand the case tightly against the chamber wall.... and then the question begs, did you really even fireform the case?

Fwiw, I have been perfectly content using CCI 400 primers for my .223 bolt-rifle loads; I see no sense in burning 450s for the purpose and testing last year showed that my ES/SD values did not improve with BR-4 primers to make THAT added expense anything like worthwhile.

My favorite .223 load is Hornady 75gr ELDM with 22.8gr Vihtavuori N135 (2831fps) - a mild, barrel-saving load with great accuracy. Close behind is the same bullet with 23.1gr IMR-8208XBR (2940fps). No flattened or cratered CCI400 primers with either of these. I don't compete with .223 (or haven't yet, anyway) so I've never played with Berger or other top-shelf bullets in that caliber... well, I do have several hundred 77gr SMKs left but they're chubby for 1000-yard practice - great out to 600-700, though.

 

[supercorndogs]

You could back off what you're shooting already a couple grains or choose something on the low side and load a few and check it out