Thread: What happened ????

Originally Posted by Dermastor

Viper if you still have the case try seating a primer in it to see how it feels. Sorry if this has already been suggested.

The primer pocket is so expanded mate you can drop it in and it has up to a 1mm free space round the outside and oval not uniform. Looks like a bull elephant has fucked a Chihuahua.

What's your bolt face look like? Any gas cutting/pitting?

Loose primer and/or an under load causing detonation would be my guess?

Mate I would pull the bullets and tip the powder back in the container and do anything with the brass accept pull the trigger on it. No go be hero get rid of it.

Neck tension is good, it was to light before so adjusted to be firmer, also OAL so it's away from the lands.
Bolt face shows no damage other than a little dis-coloration, I know it's not under or over loaded, all powder levels weighted and visually inspected , scales checked.

If everything is as you say Viper.
It's the case , as someone mentioned primer pocket expanded, maybe combined with split case.
Split case shouldn't really be that bad as all enclosed in the chamber, after this and pocket , it is to tech for me.

I don't think you answered the earlier question about a possible over-length case.
What does the "offender" measure now for length?

One other thought- there's no chance a live primer fell into the case prior to loading powder?

Sorry 6x47, been so many questions to answer.
Ok trimmed cases are 44.40mm
That case that let go 44.42mm

I forgot to mention an oval pocket will feel normal whether hand or press priming. But someone else did and I am pretty sure that's your issue. Even in the pics you provided the pocket looks oval.


As you said you don't have any other type of powder and you can't really over load with the powder you have. You also cannot seat the projectile back far enough due to the charge for it to be a pressure issue related to seating anyway.

Bin the brass as others have suggested and get some better cases. Or weigh sort and check the brass you have and only keep what's in spec.

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Thanks R93, yeah I am going to bin it. As for the above issues you mention I have been over and over it, checked and re-checked, One of those things, not nice but I have learned a lot from the comments, everyone has forwarded ideas and been very helpful.
The Hornady case quality has been a real eye opener.
Thanks to everyone.

Originally Posted by viper

Thanks R93, yeah I am going to bin it. As for the above issues you mention I have been over and over it, checked and re-checked, One of those things, not nice but I have learned a lot from the comments, everyone has forwarded ideas and been very helpful.
The Hornady case quality has been a real eye opener.
Thanks to everyone.

I didn't know hornady .223 brass was shit till now, either. I have sack fulls of Lake city and police brass I collect at the club, but got sick of prepping it for my AR.
I bought a 300 Hornady rounds just for the brass a while ago. So I have learnt something as well😆

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As a side question Viper, did you buy the brass loaded? Our just as empty cases?
The reason I ask is I'm going to buy some factory load rounds and shoot them then reload as here in the uk this is cheaper than buying empty brass, it's hard to get 7x57. The ammo will be Hornady. So I hope that coming from the factory it will have better quality control?

Originally Posted by Sideshow

As a side question Viper, did you buy the brass loaded? Our just as empty cases?
The reason I ask is I'm going to buy some factory load rounds and shoot them then reload as here in the uk this is cheaper than buying empty brass, it's hard to get 7x57. The ammo will be Hornady. So I hope that coming from the factory it will have better quality control?

Yes brought as a 50 round box. Doing exactly as you are, get 50 loaded rounds from the factory then use the brass for reloading. I've used a lot of their brass in the past and never a problem so when the guys on here say it's crap I was surprised.

Originally Posted by Sideshow

As a side question Viper, did you buy the brass loaded? Our just as empty cases?
The reason I ask is I'm going to buy some factory load rounds and shoot them then reload as here in the uk this is cheaper than buying empty brass, it's hard to get 7x57. The ammo will be Hornady. So I hope that coming from the factory it will have better quality control?

Afraid not mate. All the issues I've had with Hornady was from cases from factory ammo. Their projectiles are great, but give the cases a wide berth. If you're in the uk surely you can get rws or something a bit classier?

Originally Posted by 7x64

Afraid not mate. All the issues I've had with Hornady was from cases from factory ammo. Their projectiles are great, but give the cases a wide berth. If you're in the uk surely you can get rws or something a bit classier?

Just came out as 50 cases of Nosler brass £107.00
20 rounds Hornady 140gran £37.00
Seemed a no brainier but......?

Originally Posted by Sideshow

Just came out as 50 cases of Nosler brass £107.00
20 rounds Hornady 140gran £37.00
Seemed a no brainier but......?

False economy mate. You'll get at least 6 loads off those Norma cases, more if you're running sensible pressures. In my experience with the Hornady you'll be pushing your luck at three. Nosler is about as expensive as it gets. Can't you find some Norma factory ammo to start with?