308 brass

R.Lynn · November 10, 2009, 06:14 PM

I picked up some 308 (actually 7.62 Nato) brass at the range. It seems to be bent on the bottom. I am assuming it was used in a semi auto and it was bent being pulled by the extractor. I thought I would reload it for use in my bolt action. I have only reloaded my own cases in the past. Will it flatten out? Is it worth it? Will it hurt my gun?

gearheadpyro · November 10, 2009, 07:05 PM

Can we see a pic? Hard to tell without seeing it.

R.Lynn · November 10, 2009, 07:59 PM

As much as would like to post a picture on here I am having a hard time getting any of the pictures I am taking to show the problem. They look like they had to be pulled on pretty hard to be removed from the chamber. I will keep working on a pic.

R.Lynn · November 10, 2009, 08:14 PM

In this picture you can see the bend on a few of the cases.

brmfan · November 10, 2009, 08:35 PM

It also looks like the primers are cratered (i.e., high pressure). Maybe the bolt tried to move rearward (I'm also assuming it was a semi-auto that was used based on the nick in the far left case's wall- probably the result of being stripped from a magazine) slightly before the chamber pressure had reduced enough to completely free the case. Hence, the rim may have been bent as seen in the pic. My only guess... Either way, I would toss it rather than risk a case-head separation.

GeauxTide · November 10, 2009, 09:00 PM

High pressure on the primers and hard extraction. Toss them.

Hog Buster · November 10, 2009, 09:24 PM

Geaux Tide you make me proud to be a Coonass.... Right on the button..... A bit of high pressure causing hard extraction. Probably out of a dirty chamber.

dardascastbullets · November 10, 2009, 10:18 PM

Hi Lynn,

The only way that you will be able to use these cases in your bolt action or any other firearm is to true up the bases using a Wilson Case Trimmer. You will be using it in reverse mode so to speak. The case will be mounted in the Wilson Lathe so that the base is facing the cutter. The cutter is then rotated against the base until there is complete cleanup around the diameter of the base. You have to go easy at this because you only want to true up the base and not remove excess brass. I did this operation to all of my mid to long range brass. It is the only way to get the brass head true to the bolt face. No, you cannot fire form the brass to correct this deformity.

All of what I have offered above is dependent upon how much material has been lifted by the extractor. The cases may not be reusable if there is so much material lifted that it will cause extraction errors in your bolt rifle. You will have to turn a few cases and then insert an empty case into the chamber by hand (do not let the bolt pick up the case from the magazine) so that the extractor is resting on the 'thin' portion of the case. Extract it just as you would do normally. This will tell the tale!

As a side note: The type of extractor is also going to be a deciding factor. Claw type extractors (Model 70's & Springfields) will overcome this condition quite well. Whereas a closed faced extractor such as the Remington 700's are extremely sensitive to rim defects - they are not as forgiving as a claw extractor.

Good luck and good shooting!

gearheadpyro · November 11, 2009, 07:01 PM

I'm going with high pressure. The primer's look cratered as previously mentioned.
I wouldn't shoot them myself. Scrap 'em.

November 10, 2009, 06:14 PM	#1
R.Lynn Member Join Date: December 7, 2008 Posts: 47	308 brass I picked up some 308 (actually 7.62 Nato) brass at the range. It seems to be bent on the bottom. I am assuming it was used in a semi auto and it was bent being pulled by the extractor. I thought I would reload it for use in my bolt action. I have only reloaded my own cases in the past. Will it flatten out? Is it worth it? Will it hurt my gun?

November 10, 2009, 07:05 PM	#2
gearheadpyro Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 2009 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 169	Can we see a pic? Hard to tell without seeing it. __________________ www.southernmarksman.com Owner of & Chief Instructor for The Southern Marksman, LLC NRA Life Member, NRA CRSO, Multi-Discipline NRA Certified Instructor

November 10, 2009, 09:24 PM	#7
Hog Buster Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2009 Location: Pointe Coupee, Louisana Posts: 772	Geaux Tide you make me proud to be a Coonass.... Right on the button..... A bit of high pressure causing hard extraction. Probably out of a dirty chamber. __________________ Those who beat their guns into plows, will plow for those who don't.-Thomas Jefferson

November 10, 2009, 10:18 PM	#8
dardascastbullets Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2008 Location: Essexville, MI Posts: 164	Hi Lynn, The only way that you will be able to use these cases in your bolt action or any other firearm is to true up the bases using a Wilson Case Trimmer. You will be using it in reverse mode so to speak. The case will be mounted in the Wilson Lathe so that the base is facing the cutter. The cutter is then rotated against the base until there is complete cleanup around the diameter of the base. You have to go easy at this because you only want to true up the base and not remove excess brass. I did this operation to all of my mid to long range brass. It is the only way to get the brass head true to the bolt face. No, you cannot fire form the brass to correct this deformity. All of what I have offered above is dependent upon how much material has been lifted by the extractor. The cases may not be reusable if there is so much material lifted that it will cause extraction errors in your bolt rifle. You will have to turn a few cases and then insert an empty case into the chamber by hand (do not let the bolt pick up the case from the magazine) so that the extractor is resting on the 'thin' portion of the case. Extract it just as you would do normally. This will tell the tale! As a side note: The type of extractor is also going to be a deciding factor. Claw type extractors (Model 70's & Springfields) will overcome this condition quite well. Whereas a closed faced extractor such as the Remington 700's are extremely sensitive to rim defects - they are not as forgiving as a claw extractor. Good luck and good shooting! __________________ Matt Dardas

November 11, 2009, 07:01 PM	#9
gearheadpyro Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 2009 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 169	I'm going with high pressure. The primer's look cratered as previously mentioned. I wouldn't shoot them myself. Scrap 'em. __________________ www.southernmarksman.com Owner of & Chief Instructor for The Southern Marksman, LLC NRA Life Member, NRA CRSO, Multi-Discipline NRA Certified Instructor

November 10, 2009, 07:59 PM	#3
R.Lynn Member Join Date: December 7, 2008 Posts: 47	As much as would like to post a picture on here I am having a hard time getting any of the pictures I am taking to show the problem. They look like they had to be pulled on pretty hard to be removed from the chamber. I will keep working on a pic.

November 10, 2009, 08:35 PM	#5
brmfan Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2008 Posts: 557	It also looks like the primers are cratered (i.e., high pressure). Maybe the bolt tried to move rearward (I'm also assuming it was a semi-auto that was used based on the nick in the far left case's wall- probably the result of being stripped from a magazine) slightly before the chamber pressure had reduced enough to completely free the case. Hence, the rim may have been bent as seen in the pic. My only guess... Either way, I would toss it rather than risk a case-head separation.

November 10, 2009, 09:00 PM	#6
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	High pressure on the primers and hard extraction. Toss them.