VEPR the Brass Eater !

blarby · January 2, 2013, 08:21 PM

So, out of the first 100, these were some of the charmers ( see attached)

We've since come up with a molding that fits on the receiver cover, so these are hopefully a thing of the past. It worked real good on todays run- nothing even close to these charmers from the first three mags.

In the interest of science...here they are !

Everything they've said about the VEPR being a brass eater...its all true !

So....scrap bucket ? Resize and reload ?

WWTHRD ?

New Winchester brass too, its hard to look at !

56hawk · January 2, 2013, 09:53 PM

What's the problem? They look good to me.

I've actually got a Hakim that puts about the same dent in my 8mm brass. I just reload them and don't worry about it.

ArchAngelCD · January 2, 2013, 09:56 PM

As long as those dents aren't in the shoulder area I would say they are no problem. Load them up and fire form them...

blarby · January 2, 2013, 10:12 PM

There are a few that are at the shoulder- those I pitched immediately.

ArchAngelCD · January 2, 2013, 10:34 PM

On closer inspection, I changed my mind. I think I just might trash those pieces of brass.

silicosys4 · January 3, 2013, 12:28 AM

some of those dents look harsh enough to have affected case volume significantly. I'd toss them into the brass scrap bin. Couple of online ammo places I know about give up to $2/lb credit on crushed nonreloadable brass cases.

codefour · January 3, 2013, 12:43 AM

Toss them..!! Your Vepr dinged the cases.. Those cases are toast... Look up Valmet Buffer on Google. I think that is how it is spelled..

I would NOT reload those cases. You have an impending case head seperation issue..

1911 guy · January 3, 2013, 03:21 AM

I vote to ditch them. If it was just a slight dent, I'd be tempted to try to salvage them. Those aren't slight dents, though. There appear to be creases where the brass may well be pushed beyond its elasticity point and break under stress, either from re-forming them or under chamber pressure.

**Walkalong** · January 3, 2013, 07:36 AM

Quote:

You have an impending case head seperation issue..

At worst the case would crack at the crease and release some pressure/gasses. Not good, but certainly not a case head separation.

It is hard to tell in the pics, but those are borderline. The dent would "fireform" out, but if the crease is bad enough to damage the integrity of the case wall, it could split there. Dents are one thing, and sharp creases are another.

Without a better look, some look OK, while others do not.

blarby · January 3, 2013, 08:09 AM

All of these pictured have the crease.

A few of the milder ones just have a small dent, and no crease- just like these.

Quote:

Look up Valmet Buffer on Google

As noted- we got it handled, but thank you ! Split section of rubber tubing, shaved to fit- works like a charm !

**Walkalong** · January 3, 2013, 09:51 AM

I need to do that on my 556 Classic. It doesn't dent brass that bad though.

bfoosh006 · January 3, 2013, 06:21 PM

What is the brass hitting on the rifle ? I would see if the is a way to add some sort of "foam Tape " to the offending area. Or even the "fuzzy" side of velcro tape...

blarby · January 3, 2013, 09:25 PM

Quote:

What is the brass hitting on the rifle ?

The receiver cover.

Hopefully, this length of slit rubber tubing, fastened in place, will keep doing its job !

Hondo 60 · January 5, 2013, 10:31 PM

I would NOT reload those!

redactor · January 5, 2013, 10:46 PM

Load them with powder-puff loads and shoot them through a bolt gun. They should fire-form pretty well.

blarby · January 6, 2013, 01:43 PM

Interesting thought.

I think they'll sit better in my scrap bucket, however.

Even if they puffed out- there is a lot more than denting going on here.... I wish I was a better photog.... I'm worried about the hot points at either end of the crease when it pops back up.

If I had no more .308 brass...... Maybe....

blarby · April 23, 2013, 02:29 PM

Ahh, the finished brass protector.

The tubing worked well as a base for about 1/4" of black silicone.

Works like a charm !

bigdaa · April 23, 2013, 02:45 PM

I would buy a spare receiver cover and work it with a nibbler and a Dremel to rid the impingement point.

But then....................that's me.

I know how the AK variants like to mess up brass. I've been through four and the dents pissed me off. However, your unfortunate situation is far worse than mine and I have to tell you that it hurts me to look at that nice brass of yours all messed up like that. I mean, real pain amigo!

You know, I have a few rounds of that 7.62x54R in various manufacturers in reloadable brass. You want it if I can find it? I can't remember the exact condition, but it is once fired and most likely from Nagants.

No charge except you just mail me back the shipping cost.

I'm in California.

blarby · April 23, 2013, 04:57 PM

Quite alright- and its in .308 winchester- unfortunately I don't have anything in the "big russian round"

Mainly dug this back up to reference for someone in the rifle section- with a new pic.

WardenWolf · April 23, 2013, 05:17 PM

Thanks. I'm aware of how to install a buffer on an AK. I've had a PSL for years, and save most of my brass from it even though I don't reload yet. About half the 7.62x54R brass is salvageable even without a buffer. The cases fare worse as you go down in caliber. 7.62x39 cases are nicely dented and not reusable (I buy Wolf in that caliber anyway so I don't care), but .223 cases are outright folded. I don't think even a buffer could save them. The AK seems to be an equal-opportunity detroyer, but the thinner cases just can't take it as well.

January 2, 2013, 09:56 PM	#3
ArchAngelCD Member Join Date: November 25, 2006 Location: PA, USA Posts: 13,838	As long as those dents aren't in the shoulder area I would say they are no problem. Load them up and fire form them... __________________ Remember boys and girls, gun control only prevents law abiding Americans from owning guns because the Bad Guys don’t obey the laws, no matter how restrictive or lenient the laws are!

January 2, 2013, 10:12 PM	#4
blarby Member Join Date: February 25, 2011 Location: JC, Oregon Posts: 2,903	There are a few that are at the shoulder- those I pitched immediately. __________________ 05/14/03 : My life has been CRAZY busy. If I owe you anything on a trade, or a PIF- please PM me with my apologies in advance !

January 2, 2013, 10:34 PM	#5
ArchAngelCD Member Join Date: November 25, 2006 Location: PA, USA Posts: 13,838	On closer inspection, I changed my mind. I think I just might trash those pieces of brass. __________________ Remember boys and girls, gun control only prevents law abiding Americans from owning guns because the Bad Guys don’t obey the laws, no matter how restrictive or lenient the laws are!

January 3, 2013, 03:21 AM	#8
1911 guy Member Join Date: May 5, 2005 Location: Garrettsville, Oh. Posts: 4,514	I vote to ditch them. If it was just a slight dent, I'd be tempted to try to salvage them. Those aren't slight dents, though. There appear to be creases where the brass may well be pushed beyond its elasticity point and break under stress, either from re-forming them or under chamber pressure. __________________ I wish I believed in reincarnation. Where's Charles Martel when you need him? http://forums.bobdunsire.com/forums/index.php yes, I play the bagpipes. No, I don't wear a skirt. It's called a kilt.

January 3, 2013, 09:51 AM	#11
Walkalong Moderator Join Date: November 20, 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 29,640	I need to do that on my 556 Classic. It doesn't dent brass that bad though. __________________ Do you ever wonder why nobody ever robs the bag man for the mob? No, you don't. "Oh bother" said Pooh, as he chambered another round. Author unknown.

January 2, 2013, 09:53 PM	#2
56hawk Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Posts: 1,239	What's the problem? They look good to me. I've actually got a Hakim that puts about the same dent in my 8mm brass. I just reload them and don't worry about it.

January 3, 2013, 12:28 AM	#6
silicosys4 Member Join Date: June 29, 2012 Posts: 822	some of those dents look harsh enough to have affected case volume significantly. I'd toss them into the brass scrap bin. Couple of online ammo places I know about give up to $2/lb credit on crushed nonreloadable brass cases.

January 3, 2013, 12:43 AM	#7
codefour Member Join Date: March 5, 2011 Location: N. California Posts: 313	Toss them..!! Your Vepr dinged the cases.. Those cases are toast... Look up Valmet Buffer on Google. I think that is how it is spelled.. I would NOT reload those cases. You have an impending case head seperation issue..

January 3, 2013, 06:21 PM	#12
bfoosh006 Member Join Date: January 29, 2008 Posts: 273	What is the brass hitting on the rifle ? I would see if the is a way to add some sort of "foam Tape " to the offending area. Or even the "fuzzy" side of velcro tape...

January 5, 2013, 10:31 PM	#14
Hondo 60 Member Join Date: September 6, 2009 Location: Manitowoc, WI Posts: 3,525	I would NOT reload those! __________________ Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway - John Wayne <>< When you're holdin a hammer, everything looks like a nail - Bryan Glover

January 5, 2013, 10:46 PM	#15
redactor Member Join Date: March 7, 2007 Location: Huntsvegas, AL Posts: 222	Load them with powder-puff loads and shoot them through a bolt gun. They should fire-form pretty well. __________________ -------------------------------- Master of UNIX Hackification :wq! --------------------------------

January 6, 2013, 01:43 PM	#16
blarby Member Join Date: February 25, 2011 Location: JC, Oregon Posts: 2,903	Interesting thought. I think they'll sit better in my scrap bucket, however. Even if they puffed out- there is a lot more than denting going on here.... I wish I was a better photog.... I'm worried about the hot points at either end of the crease when it pops back up. If I had no more .308 brass...... Maybe.... __________________ 05/14/03 : My life has been CRAZY busy. If I owe you anything on a trade, or a PIF- please PM me with my apologies in advance !

April 23, 2013, 02:45 PM	#18
bigdaa member Join Date: April 12, 2013 Location: Goleta, CA Posts: 357	I would buy a spare receiver cover and work it with a nibbler and a Dremel to rid the impingement point. But then....................that's me. I know how the AK variants like to mess up brass. I've been through four and the dents pissed me off. However, your unfortunate situation is far worse than mine and I have to tell you that it hurts me to look at that nice brass of yours all messed up like that. I mean, real pain amigo! You know, I have a few rounds of that 7.62x54R in various manufacturers in reloadable brass. You want it if I can find it? I can't remember the exact condition, but it is once fired and most likely from Nagants. No charge except you just mail me back the shipping cost. I'm in California.

April 23, 2013, 04:57 PM	#19
blarby Member Join Date: February 25, 2011 Location: JC, Oregon Posts: 2,903	Quite alright- and its in .308 winchester- unfortunately I don't have anything in the "big russian round" Mainly dug this back up to reference for someone in the rifle section- with a new pic. __________________ 05/14/03 : My life has been CRAZY busy. If I owe you anything on a trade, or a PIF- please PM me with my apologies in advance !

April 23, 2013, 05:17 PM	#20
WardenWolf Member Join Date: November 11, 2008 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 5,025	Thanks. I'm aware of how to install a buffer on an AK. I've had a PSL for years, and save most of my brass from it even though I don't reload yet. About half the 7.62x54R brass is salvageable even without a buffer. The cases fare worse as you go down in caliber. 7.62x39 cases are nicely dented and not reusable (I buy Wolf in that caliber anyway so I don't care), but .223 cases are outright folded. I don't think even a buffer could save them. The AK seems to be an equal-opportunity detroyer, but the thinner cases just can't take it as well. __________________ Heart of the guardian, way of the warden, path of the exile. Autistic Gun Owner Asperger's does NOT cause violence.