case head separation

24fan

I've been reloading for years with no problems untill now.
This 30-06 is loaded with a 165gn. nosler ballistic tip,
56gn. IMR 4350 (1gn. below nosler max), Remington brass. Brass is trimed to lenght with OAL of 3.34
The fired brass is from the same rifle. Is this a pressure or head space problem?
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redneckandy

Could be either. What does the primer look like on the separated case?

24fan

I was deer hunting and shot a 9 point with the shell that separated
I lost the head of the case when trying to reload.

perry shooter

I believe Your reloading has caused this condition The F L sizing die is turned in too far for your chamber you are setting the shoulder back when you size creating too much head space. If you take a wire with a 90 degree bend and sharp tip you will feel a thin spot in your cases that did not separate. Take new or once fired factory ammo cases and start over back out your sizing die one full turn and size one case take this empty case put in your rifle and see if you can close the bolt if not turn die in 1/12 of a turn at a time and retest each time the first test that lets you close the bolt with just a slight amount of effort is where you need to leave your sizing die. You need to put this question on the reloading forum.

v35

It could also be from brass flowing forward and thinning at the junction of case body and web over many reloadings.
Excess headspace due to sizing die setting in combination with the above may also be the problem.

remingtonoaks

How many times have you reloaded the case...I don't reload more than 5-6 times...Could have been case fatigue from reloading it to much

24fan

quote:Originally posted by perry shooter
I believe Your reloading has caused this condition The F L sizing die is turned in too far for your chamber you are setting the shoulder back when you size creating too much head space. If you take a wire with a 90 degree bend and sharp tip you will feel a thin spot in your cases that did not separate. Take new or once fired factory ammo cases and start over back out your sizing die one full turn and size one case take this empty case put in your rifle and see if you can close the bolt if not turn die in 1/12 of a turn at a time and retest each time the first test that lets you close the bolt with just a slight amount of effort is where you need to leave your sizing die. You need to put this question on the reloading forum.


Thanks for the info I'll give it a try.

JustC

I will go with the brass being reloaded too many times. Backing off the FL die, or using a NK die will greatly increase brass life.