Case Head Problem

[Baldrick314]

I ran into a weird problem today with my .308 brass. A couple cases out of a batch that had been fired approximately 3-4 times wouldn't fit into the shell holder for my press. After measuring every dimention I could with verniers and feeling where the case head was catching on the shell holder I eventually took to it with a jeweler's file and shaved about a thou off and it then fit into the shell holder perfectly. Has anyone run into anything similar/ know what causes it?

[Lorgar]

After measuring every dimention I could with verniers and feeling where the case head was catching on the shell holder I eventually took to it with a jeweler's file and shaved about a thou off and it then fit into the shell holder perfectly.

A thou off the problem brass or the shell holder?

[portph]

I had the same thing for my .243.

Every 5th case or something would stick a little trying to slide it on.

Literally just brushed the file across the base of the shell holder a few times and now it's perfect.

[Baldrick314]

A thou off the problem brass or the shell holder?

Off the case head

[Baldrick314]

I had the same thing for my .243.

Every 5th case or something would stick a little trying to slide it on.

Literally just brushed the file across the base of the shell holder a few times and now it's perfect.

Mine took a bit more work than that but same principle. Have you had any adverse effects reusing that brass?

[portph]

Off the case head

If it's happening more than just the occasional brass here and there, I'd take a closer look at the shell holder rather than the brass.

A mate of mine had a similar problem but didn't file it down like I did.

Shell holder for his .308 sticking brass every half dozen or so. Swapped it for another of the exact same shell holder and problem disappeared.

[portph]

I had the same thing for my .243.

Every 5th case or something would stick a little trying to slide it on.

Literally just brushed the file across the base of the shell holder a few times and now it's perfect.

Mine took a bit more work than that but same principle. Have you had any adverse effects reusing that brass?

Nope none.

It's been reloaded/fired 6-7 times since then with no drama at all.

[Baldrick314]

Off the case head

If it's happening more than just the occasional brass here and there, I'd take a closer look at the shell holder rather than the brass.

A mate of mine had a similar problem but didn't file it down like I did.

Shell holder for his .308 sticking brass every half dozen or so. Swapped it for another of the exact same shell holder and problem disappeared.

It's just been 3 so far but thanks for the heads up

[Baldrick314]

I had the same thing for my .243.

Every 5th case or something would stick a little trying to slide it on.

Literally just brushed the file across the base of the shell holder a few times and now it's perfect.

Mine took a bit more work than that but same principle. Have you had any adverse effects reusing that brass?

Nope none.

It's been reloaded/fired 6-7 times since then with no drama at all.

Good to know, cheers

[Fujix]

Good to know, cheers

You get little oddities like this from time to time.

Trying to get things so precise that a thou can be just enough to upset the apple cart.

Most just require a little tweak here or there and are overcome pretty quick.