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mehavey · January 27, 2012, 06:22 AM

I've come to realize that of UncleNick's list, two "threshhold" signs stand out as hard to misinterpret (other than something so way over the top as to invoke HolyCow! rating):

1. The primer pockets get get noticeably easier to seat into/if not unusable after 4-5 firings. (You are 10% over brass rating and should back off 5-8% in powder charge)

2. You begin seeing ejector cutout "smears" on the case head/bolt is sticky to open. (You are at least 20% over brass rating and should immediately cease work/pull remaining bullets/back off 10-12%)

Primers are next to useless these days, and measuring subtle web expansion has fallen by the wayside (although primers falling out is a web expansion corollary)

January 27, 2012, 06:22 AM	#4
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,896	I've come to realize that of UncleNick's list, two "threshhold" signs stand out as hard to misinterpret (other than something so way over the top as to invoke HolyCow! rating): 1. The primer pockets get get noticeably easier to seat into/if not unusable after 4-5 firings. (You are 10% over brass rating and should back off 5-8% in powder charge) 2. You begin seeing ejector cutout "smears" on the case head/bolt is sticky to open. (You are at least 20% over brass rating and should immediately cease work/pull remaining bullets/back off 10-12%) Primers are next to useless these days, and measuring subtle web expansion has fallen by the wayside (although primers falling out is a web expansion corollary) Last edited by mehavey; January 27, 2012 at 06:43 AM.