Dirty case necks after shooting?

akjob · April 28, 2008, 02:16 AM

I just shot my first reloads ever, in 30-06 and 300 Win Mag. They shot great, good groups first time out of the barn.

I noticed on the 06 especially, that the case necks came out dirty. The 300 necks were a little sooty, but not too much. These first loads were done using the suggested starting loads in my lyman manual. Does this pose a dangerous situation (gas leakage), and what should I do to correct it? I'm wondering if the loads were too light, and the brass wasn't expanding enough, allowing the gas to leak. Also, it did not appear that gas was leaking around the primer, just the case neck area.

Any thoughts/tips appreciated. Thanks,

.30-06 loads
55 grains H 4831
180 grain Sierra
new Winchester brass

.300 loads
69 grains H4831
180 grain sierra
new remington brass

Dumpster Baby · April 28, 2008, 02:42 AM

Nothing at all to worry about. I've seen them come out clean, partly dirty, very dirty, all from the same shooting session with the same rifle and ammo.

The soot on the neck will vary from rifle to rifle according to chamber dimensions, and from brass type to brass type, and powder type, and pressure level, and...... so on.

That's what tumblers are for!

akjob · April 28, 2008, 09:24 PM

Thanks for the tip, I won't worry about it. I am still puzzled though as to why they got so dirty with my loads, when they aren't normally that dirty shooting factory ammo.

Ruger4570 · April 28, 2008, 09:56 PM

Some of the "starting" loads are quite mild and just don't expand the neck enough, fast enough to prevent the soot. It is nothing to worry about unless it is going down the body of the case too.

Crooked Creek · April 28, 2008, 11:12 PM

If you want to remove the tarnish without investing in a tumbler just yet, pick up a can of "Never-Dull" from a hardware store. It is a wadding polish and will remove the tarnish very quickly, and will not wear or harm the brass. After using it, wipe the residue from the case with a cloth before you lubricate the case for resizing. It is especially handy for reloading at the range. It will also remove the powder "burn marks" from the cylinders of stainless revolvers better than any solvent I have ever tried. A can will last a long time as you can reuse the wadding that you tear off until it is too dry or dirty to save, just put it back in the can a put the lid on.

April 28, 2008, 02:16 AM	#1
akjob Junior Member Join Date: April 28, 2008 Posts: 2	Dirty case necks after shooting? I just shot my first reloads ever, in 30-06 and 300 Win Mag. They shot great, good groups first time out of the barn. I noticed on the 06 especially, that the case necks came out dirty. The 300 necks were a little sooty, but not too much. These first loads were done using the suggested starting loads in my lyman manual. Does this pose a dangerous situation (gas leakage), and what should I do to correct it? I'm wondering if the loads were too light, and the brass wasn't expanding enough, allowing the gas to leak. Also, it did not appear that gas was leaking around the primer, just the case neck area. Any thoughts/tips appreciated. Thanks, .30-06 loads 55 grains H 4831 180 grain Sierra new Winchester brass .300 loads 69 grains H4831 180 grain sierra new remington brass

April 28, 2008, 02:42 AM	#2
Dumpster Baby Member Join Date: January 12, 2008 Posts: 16	Nothing at all to worry about. I've seen them come out clean, partly dirty, very dirty, all from the same shooting session with the same rifle and ammo. The soot on the neck will vary from rifle to rifle according to chamber dimensions, and from brass type to brass type, and powder type, and pressure level, and...... so on. That's what tumblers are for!

April 28, 2008, 09:24 PM	#3
akjob Junior Member Join Date: April 28, 2008 Posts: 2	Thanks for the tip, I won't worry about it. I am still puzzled though as to why they got so dirty with my loads, when they aren't normally that dirty shooting factory ammo.

April 28, 2008, 09:56 PM	#4
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	Some of the "starting" loads are quite mild and just don't expand the neck enough, fast enough to prevent the soot. It is nothing to worry about unless it is going down the body of the case too.

April 28, 2008, 11:12 PM	#5
Crooked Creek Junior Member Join Date: April 27, 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 5	If you want to remove the tarnish without investing in a tumbler just yet, pick up a can of "Never-Dull" from a hardware store. It is a wadding polish and will remove the tarnish very quickly, and will not wear or harm the brass. After using it, wipe the residue from the case with a cloth before you lubricate the case for resizing. It is especially handy for reloading at the range. It will also remove the powder "burn marks" from the cylinders of stainless revolvers better than any solvent I have ever tried. A can will last a long time as you can reuse the wadding that you tear off until it is too dry or dirty to save, just put it back in the can a put the lid on.