scratch lines on neck

04 August 2024, 06:40

I had an rcbs full length sizing die that I used for years, then I noticed it started leaving scratch marks on neck. deep enough I could slightly feel them with thumb nail. Bought a new redding die, brass has been cleaned. 25-30 rounds into resizing I'm noticing the same thing. Haven't noticed this with any other calibers ever. brass has been fired in various rifles. symptoms are not random, its every round now . I'm using redding imperial sizing die wax for lube.
Any thoughts?

04 August 2024, 07:07

Lamar

I'm gonna assume the scratches are in the same place every time.

that indicates you got some small bits of grit or dirt in the dies.
I'd look at my cleaning media.

just a side note.
I remember back in the later 60's they were able to prosecute a guy for murder by matching up the scratches in his reloading dies to the piece of brass they found up on a hill side.

04 August 2024, 08:35

Saeed

quote:
Originally posted by eny:
I had an rcbs full length sizing die that I used for years, then I noticed it started leaving scratch marks on neck. deep enough I could slightly feel them with thumb nail. Bought a new redding die, brass has been cleaned. 25-30 rounds into resizing I'm noticing the same thing. Haven't noticed this with any other calibers ever. brass has been fired in various rifles. symptoms are not random, its every round now . I'm using redding imperial sizing die wax for lube.
Any thoughts?

You getting the same scratch from both dies?

You did mention RCBS and Redding??

04 August 2024, 19:20

dpcd

Yeah, your brass has sand embedded in it. At least one does. I have reloaded for many decades, 76 calibers, and never had a scratched die. I don't always tumble it but always make sure it is clean. I've even made dies from un hardened steel; those don't scratch either.
Need to find/clean/trash that bad piece (pieces) (all of it) of brass.

04 August 2024, 19:41

Bobster

Take a couple of empties and polish the necks bright. Place an orientation mark on the case and a corresponding mark on the dies. Size the cases and inspect to confirm it is the dies. If not, it is your chamber. If it is the die, then the marks will locate the damage.

quote:
Originally posted by eny:
I had an rcbs full length sizing die that I used for years, then I noticed it started leaving scratch marks on neck. deep enough I could slightly feel them with thumb nail. Bought a new redding die, brass has been cleaned. 25-30 rounds into resizing I'm noticing the same thing. Haven't noticed this with any other calibers ever. brass has been fired in various rifles. symptoms are not random, its every round now . I'm using redding imperial sizing die wax for lube.
Any thoughts?

04 August 2024, 19:56

eny

The new dies didn't do it at first, 20 rounds or so. Maybe it's from the cleaning media. I just don't understand why only on the 06? Have 3 of em, but I don't see any marks on brass prior to resizing. will follow up with all ideas. thank you

04 August 2024, 21:07

Bobster

Or, maybe a round you chambered had grit on it and raised a burr on the chamber neck.

quote:
Originally posted by eny:
The new dies didn't do it at first, 20 rounds or so. Maybe it's from the cleaning media. I just don't understand why only on the 06? Have 3 of em, but I don't see any marks on brass prior to resizing. will follow up with all ideas. thank you

05 August 2024, 06:19

eny

after looking at everything I did last winter, I'm pretty sure I must have picked up some sand on the 06 cases I was practicing with at the end of my marathon resizing and priming session last winter. The marks on brass are different from each die. Did a short batch of brass in new clean media and same results in each die, but different marks from each die but same rifle on that batch. New die on the way. where I was practicing shooting is a hill that is mostly diatomaceous earth, very abrasive stuff.

05 August 2024, 07:33

jeffeosso

it's HIGHLY likely to be grit in the die - qtips are your friend .. qtip, swirled in imperial sizing wax, wipe the neck and shoulder - and working top to bottom should help

and, if it pulls the qtip, you have a burr

opinions vary band of bubbas and STC hunting Club

Information on Ammoguide about
the416AR, 458AR, 470AR, 500AR
What is an AR round? Case Drawings 416-458-470AR and 500AR.
476AR,
http://www.weaponsmith.com

26 October 2024, 08:53

Longwalker

Yes, it's dirt or other contaminant in your dies. I've had dies do that from little flakes of nickel from nickel plated brass cases. I just cleaned them up with a bore caliber cleaning brush wrapped in fine steel wool and chucked in an electric drill. Cleaned up in a few moments, and no more scratches.