Just gazing lovingly at some spent .22/250 cases, checking them over for signs of excess pressure.
That smudge/fouling around the outside of the case neck - does it tell me anything?

Yes. Tells you it's normal. If it's below the neck you are getting improper sealing. Bob

I have noticed that if I fail to use a chamber mop after cleaning, some residual solvent will burn and cause greasy black residue.

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"OHHHHHHH I HATES VARMINTS!!!!" -Yosemitie Sam

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Thanks guys, but why exactly is there such a difference in the amount of smudge between the factory loads I'm using up and my home loads?

How many times have you reloaded the cases? Have you annealed them? As the brass gets work hardened it is slower to seal.

It can also have a lot to do with the powder type and load. Slower powders do more of this, as do lighter loads in my experience.

If it does not go below the neck it is not a safety factor, in my book.

Don

Hi Don,

Mostly reloaded for the first time (Federal ex-factory rounds), some twice or three times. Not annealed.

Powder is H380 and loads are now between 36.4 and 38.9 grains, with 55 gr bullets.

I appreciate there may not be a safety issue here, in which case its just nice to know what the signs are and how to read them.

Take a look at my related thread further down this forum. Your not the only one with this
problem! My mate is back off holiday now, so we'll be investigating further.

Pete

Pete E.

I've just read your thread. FWIW, I'm only neck sizing and not crimping.
Given the difference between his loads and those made up for him by the gunsmith, I'd be thinking about there being a link to your friend's equipment (so to speak).

I'll keep up with your thread.

The answer to your question is that you are using too slow a powder..Go to the next faster powder or so and it will stop...Example 4831 to 4350 to 4320 and on until it quits..

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

Ray,

Thanks for that. Could you possibly explain what's happening and how a faster powder will change things?