Thread: Sooty Necks

I dont if that helps with a data point, and i get sooty necks

where as winny factory dosent seem to get the soot like i do

I haven't seen you explain what your ladder test is for (so I might be wide of the mark so to speak) but as I understand, ladder tests are only effective beyond 200 yards, inside that the vertical separation of rounds at different velocities or vibration nodes hasn't happened yet . . as I mentioned I shoot mine at about 320 metres.

There is a method for achieving a similar result at 100, its called "Optimal charge weight" or OCW, but I have never really been able to get my head around it.

Yep, I normally rub off the lube. Or else put it through the tumbler after sizing (I don't always tumble).

Technically it's probably not a 'ladder test' but that's what I call it anyway.

During the process of testing my heavy 338edge at 1500yrds i prepped some brass to very minimal neck clearances, an interesting side effect after firing that special brass was very clean case necks.

Not a lot of sooty

(pic of a pic hence poor quality)

I had sooty necks on a 243Rem until I annealed the necks and the sooty effect did not happen again.

I owned a T3 270WSM, amongst other brands, some time ago. It was also inclined to blow soot back over neck, sometimes shoulder. Agree that lowish pressure is a factor, also neck-clearance and throat length. My T3 had a long throat(non-SAAMI spec?) compared to some other makes, as did a Sako 75 I checked. Typically, I would need 3gns more powder to bring velocities up to that clocked by standard throat rifles. It seemed that guide max. loads were a reasonable starting load in my T3.
The cartridge is also prone to neck-splitting and formation of 'dough-nuts' at neck/shoulder joint. I eventually dealt to these issues with the use of a Redding Type S Full-length Bushing Die, adjusted to leave the lower half of neck blown out. A .305 bushing worked well.
Tried 2217, but found I was burning about 5gns more powder than say, N165, for no better performance.