Decapping question.

[ms6852]

I am decapping range brass and once fired brass using a lee decapping die. I noticed that on a few cases it was difficult to place the case in the cartridge holder. It seemed as if the base was to large but it fit in the Lyman case length gage.

This is a hornady brass and there was no indication of head space separation or extraction markings that would deform the brass. It did fit in the cartridge holder but very tight compared to others. The brass is 223 and 5.56. My question is if I should use it or discard it.

 

[45lcshooter]

you didn't mention if you had cleaned the brass before depriming, so it could be dirt.

Every once and a while ill get some media in that grove. Or when the decapping pin pushes down through it leave some deposits like unburnt powder, media, dirt from the range.

It all collects in that grove from taking the cases in and out. i just blow them out with the air compressor. If the junk is still there, WD40 or PB Blaster would get it.

By all means use the brass, just keep that separate for now until you clean it the holder.

 

[NuJudge]

Get out your Vernier Caliper

Measure the offending cases to see what is out of specification. It might be that you have a tight shell holder.

The only caliber I have ever fired much Hornady ammo in is .30-'06, their Garand match ammo. I have not reloaded any of it that I have, but about half of the commenters about it on the CMP Forum say it dies an early death due to head separations.

 

[ms6852]

No I have not cleaned the brass but it's not caked in mud or dirt .