[Carphunter]

I've worked with bolts, pistols, semi-auto's, etc. for load development.

I'm wondering what case signs are useful when developing loads for a 308 Remington pump rifle.

Didn't know if it's unlocking mechanism post shot hides any common indicators.

If not, I guess I'm watching for the standard stuff (extractor indent, primers, etc.)

[SlamFire1]

Blown primers, leaking primers, and sticky case extraction. All positive signs of excessive pressure.

Also, I use a chronograph in developing my loads. When I get velocities that are significantly higher than published velocities, well there ain't no free lunch and pressures are also high, no matter what else is going on. Unfortunately, you can blow primers at velocities less than published values.

Buy a chronograph, shoot some factory through your rifle. Use that as a bench mark. Shoot your own reloads. Compare.

Incidentally, primers lie :evil:. The only time you really know when you have exceeded max is when they blow or leak. Flattening is not necessarily showing high pressures. You see primers back out on ignition and then, as the case expands, it slides over them. You can get a "stuffed" muffin effect on low pressure loads.

For my gas guns, I will lube the cases and watch the primers change from round to flat. The case lube allows the case to move with the primer. When I have used the same load in a "dry" case, I get flat primers, when I lube the case I see rounded primers. Lubing reduces the stuffed muffin effect. At some point in load development, the primers go flat. When they go flat I know pressures are getting up there, but I still have had blown primers with some primers in that lot showing round edges.

[Wildfire]

I agree with Slamfire. Primers lie. I cut all my rifle primer pockets to .132 to .134" deep. Deburr the inside of the flash holes also. All of my primers get a running start toward the bolt face on ignition. They all are flatened. And I do not run hot loads. Read the brass. Stretch marks, lines that look like they don't belong ect. You know the drill.