.303 Brass

[351 WINCHESTER]

I've been reloading for the .303 for several months now and I need to know what to look for when it's time to throw brass away. After I shoot new brass I notice a shiney spot towards the bottom of the case. Is this from streaching and is it dangerous. So far I've loaded the brass about 5 times with moderate loads and haven't had a problem, but any input about brass would be much appreciated.

The rifle is a no 5 mk 1 and I showed the brass to a reloading buddy of mine and he told me she's got a tighter chamber than his. The gun was made in 1945.

I use IMR4064 and H335. I only neck size with the lee loader.

 

[rcmodel]

Reach down inside the case with a bent paper-clip and feel around.

If you can feel a ring that matches the shiny stretch mark on the outside, you are getting close to head separation.

Neck-sizing only will help, but Enfields are notorious for a springy bolt and loose headspace, which limits the life of the brass.

You might be getting close.


rcmodel

 

[res45]

Is this new boxer primed brass that your starting out with do you full length resize or just neck size the brass. Neck sizing only will extend the life of the brass but you can only shoot it in your rifle. Some of the old Mil-Surplus rifles have over sized chambers so FL resizing stretches it more every time you shoot it. just look for signs of where the brass seem to be wearing thin usually its near the base also inspect each piece all over for hairline cracks. If in dough toss it 5 to 7 reloads on a full size cartridge is about all I go.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Some of the brass is new (now once fired) and the other is mixed. I got some new w/w brass and when I shot it I suppose it stretched to fill the chamber. Some of the brass has a very light ridge towards the bottom of the case. The brass is shinier at that point and I can feel a very slight ridge with my fingernail. I'm aware that the enfields chambers vary considerably and I stick to moderate loads. I have brass that I have fired 4 or 5 times with no indication of it getting any worse. I'm thinking some of the brass much be a little thicker as the ridge is less pronounced and doesn't seem to be getting any worse.

What would happen if a case ruptured or separated near the head? Am I going to get a face full of gas or will the vent hole take care of it? I've never had and don't want a problem. My friend does a lot of loading and has been doing it for years. His no 4 mk1 has a bigger chamber than mine.

Also the rifle came with a 0 bolt head and I replaced it with a 1. I had no problems with the 0 bolt head, no backed out primers, but thought it would tighten things up (keep the lugs tight).

Does anyone know of any brass that is thicker and would be better to use? I've heard remington brass is thinner, but the w/w doesn't seem as thick as some of the other headstamps (s & b, pmc and some stuff that looks like it may be Greek.)

I only neck size as I just have a lee loader.

 

[dmftoy1]

I think what you're seeing is relatively normal in an Enfield but it's definately something you want to watch. I'm on my second loading and I've had those shiny rings since day 1. (headspace checked etc.) I'm figuring when I hit 8 reloadings I'll probably chuck it in the recycle bin. (I'm loading H335 under 150 Grain Spire points .312 so far and hoping to do some cast gas checked bullets later this fall)

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[nicholst55]

You've gotten good advice so far. I recommend checking each individual piece of brass with the bent paper clip every single time you load them. When you start finding incipient head separations in the brass, it's time to scrap that lot.

I recommend using a Lee collet die to neck size your brass with; that will minimize the stress on your brass. I doubt that you'll get enough loads out of a lot of brass to reach the point of loose primer pockets, but that's another cause for retirement of a lot of brass, if you're that fortunate.

Loading moderate loads will further stretch the life of your brass. I frequently only load to about 2,000 fps.

All that said, if you've gotten 5 loads out of your brass and it's still healthy, you're obviously doing something right! Five loads is frequently the limit for some brands of brass in at least one of my Lee Enfields.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Thanks for the advice.

 

[armoredman]

Ditto the neck sizer - I have gotten about 6 loads per case in my No4Mk1* that way.