Few distorted case rims

[BluewaterLa]

I have a good supply of 223 brass once fired from two friends that love to waste ammo they don't load their own and give it all to me. All brass is fired from
Ar platforms , both in good condition. Brass head stamps vary sometimes.
I prepped 1000 cases, check them in eGW chamber checker after sizing.
Around 70 cases failed to go all the way down into the checker due to the rim appearing to have grown slightly in diameter or were just factory flawed.
Is there any way to remedy this ? Would this brass be good for a bolt gun ?
Some of the rims appear to be too thick in length so they stick up higher.
As always thank for the info.

 

[longhill]

What works for me is to put the case into a cordless drill and use a flat file to remove any burr's from the base of the case.
Just a few seconds is enough to deburr the case.

 

[gamestalker]

Are you sure it's the rims causing the problem? I would use a sharpie or smoke an entire case that won't fit, neck, shoulder, and body. Where ever the sharpie / smoke rubs off is where the out of spec area is.

GS

 

[BluewaterLa]

Definitely the rim, I used a sharpie while setting my sizer die to make sure I was getting the neck bumped back, cause I couldn't visually see any difference.
I need to learn how to upload photos today ! Just small portion of the rim sticks out on the not so bad ones bit a few are really bad. The eGW chamber checker is the seven hole model, its flat on the top so cases that barley fail are very noticeable visually and by feel, I will still have fun and color a few just to see.
Thanks GS, could this brass be used in a bolt gun ?

 

[Walkalong]

It's not overly unusual. All it takes is a tiny burr from pulling off of the extractor or hitting something during ejection.

 

[BluewaterLa]

This was something I've been pondering for quite a few nights. I've measured the rims and found fraction of a thousandth difference to a full thou.
Most with burs are small enough that scour pad will smooth them.
I'm waiting on my technical support to help me with pics, my WIFE

 

[smovlov]

To check for messed up rims I turn the case around and try to insert it in the case gauge.

Usually if they won't go in its because the shell holder has distorted the rim.

 

[BluewaterLa]

The highest one is unsized.. On each side are sized recessed slightly,passed.
The four in front are sized as well but the rims do not pass. Turned upside down,
Some fit some dont. I colored a case with marker and no scuffs on the case, just the rim where I tried to push the case hard. Hope the pics are clear
View attachment 196525

 

[BluewaterLa]

One more angle

 

[FROGO207]

The rims look distorted a bit to me. So do they (sized brass) fit into and go into battery in the firearm you are going to use them in? If they chamber as they are I would load some up and try firing them. What depth passes the fire test I would use as blasting ammo and shoot and retrieve separately next time. Then check them again. They might be OK after. Would they fit in a bolt gun? Try them and see if they do. Not fitting that case gauge would not necessarily mean they would not function at all IMHO.

 

[BluewaterLa]

May just be me.. But I worry if it doesn't fit below flush in the tool that mimics the chamber, then wouldn't the neck not be able to seal properly when fired?
Causing unwanted hot gas to flow back toward the bolt and chamber.
I don't use them in my semi-auto trying to avoid a head ache at the range, and
Possible damage to my rifles.
Will load a few and run them through to see if they cause any feeding or extraction issues.

 

[smovlov]

Are you using a lot of force to pull the case from the resizing die? I've found that when I really have to pull the case out after resizing/depriming it distorts the rim. At any rate, a rim that won't fit in the gauge should function fine so long as it's just a small burr.

 

[Jim Watson]

Is the case protruding the most actually stopped there? If so, trash it.

If rims are burred by autorifle extractor or ejector, they can be cleaned up with a fine file.
If they are BENT, I would discard them. 70 out of 1000 is not worth a lot of work or worry.

I had a lot of gauge failures with 9mm and .45 in the EGW block gauge.
I got a Lyman 9mm and a Wilson .45 and most of those passed. And they shoot just fine. I don't know what spec Ol' George is making those to, but it is tight, tight, tight.

 

[BluewaterLa]

Tight yes it's tight, George told me its on the tight side of spec.
Small burrs usually just a small press of the finger and they go right in.
The cases are not being pulled on hard by the shell plate, well a few are little more stiff to remove than most. I have noticed a couple that were bent slightly by them sitting flush on one side and not the other, scrap bin !
It may well be the slight difference in force I feel on the downstroke on a few, and just softer brass I'll pay more attention to this with the next cases and stop to check the suspect
And yes I agree that 70 isn't much to worry about , I think I have too much time on my hands and a love of FEELING like I'm saving money. Haha

 

[smovlov]

I pitched a few PPU brass that just wouldn't agree with me. I figured it just want worth the hassle especially since it would probably treat me the same way the next time I load it. In the recycle bin it goes!

 

[spitballer]

I get a lot of rim damage from my Rem 700 extractor and that's probably one reason why I try to make my brass last as long as I can - I hate to see brand new brass get chewed up. I use a small file to dress the case rims, otherwise I run into problems fitting the cases into the shellholder for priming. A half-round needle file seems to work the best; flat files tend to contact more than just the underside of the rim.

 

[BluewaterLa]

I may try a small file, just to experiment and try to find an answer.
I'm in no way in need of the few that do not pass due to the rims, just more or less annoys me that I don't know. I also do not like seeing brass go to scrap too early, on the other hand having a feed or extraction issue with my ammo causes
Some unwanted negative conversation with some I shoot with
Some people are bone headed and ignorant to the benefits of our hobby.
Thanks to all of you guys for the suggestions and experience as always.
When I figure this out I will definitely post my findings, and we can debate that too ! Unfortunately I have much time on my hands and it doesn't seem like that will change any time soon be safe and well.
Bluewater