I am loading the 404 for an upcoming trip. I am using the 340 gr NF bullet. I have found that RE 15 at 78 gr is an accurate load in this rifle. However upon case inspection prior to loading for it I found that the Norma cases used for this load have a distinct shiney ring around them about a quarter inch in front of the head. Looking closely I thought I could see a little bulge there. Micrometer showed it to be a swelling there of .02 larger than the case head. I checked for a thin place in the brass on the inside. No problem there. Is this too hot a load? The velocity was somewhat erratic with numbers from about 2495-2570. With some folks trying to get 2750 or better with this bullet I thought I was OK. I have my doubts now. What do you guys think?

I don't think you have a problem. The cartridge case is "smaller" in size than the chamber. It swells up to seal the gases from escaping back towards your face. Now, the cartridge case lays on the bottom of the chamber and upon firing swell towards the top of the chamber causing an uneven expansion of the case. I think that if you look real close, you'll see that the swelling is predominantly on one side.
I'll bet you get that same swelling from firng a factory round in that rifle, or any other rifle you have.
Paul B.

Paul, I maybe fell off a turnip truck but it weren't yesterday. No it is the same on both sides. Other notions from the peanut gallery?

I agree with Paul, whether it's all around or part way, it's the expansion of the brass to fill the chamber.
I've had a nasty bulge with some brass and none with another brand. IE thickness and hardness.

If the bulged cases fit back easly in your chamber they most likely are not overloaded.

I'll be the contrarion here. My M70 in .404j has no such "ring" from more than 5 loads in the same brass. I'v shot 80gr of RL15 under the 350gr Woodleigh to a just under 2500fps from my 23"bbl. Do your cases show excessive stretching? This could be a mild headspace problem.
You'll get more uniform loads if you go to a slightly slower powder & fill the case a bit more. My next time out I want to try H4350, this seems about the perfect balance between vel. pressure & load density. I think it's feasable to get 2600fps+ in the big jeffery case w/ slower powders/lowe pressures. I like RL19 & IMR4831 for 380gr NF & 400gr anything.

Hey D Hunter, Do you have a Speer Manual?

Hot Core I do believe I have an old Speeer manual at my reloading bench. Is there info on the 404 in it? I didn't think it was in speer's listing. Any info?

Hey D Hunter, I've not seen any 404 Load Data in them, but most of the Speer Manuals have a nice picture of the "Shiny Ring" you are seeing. It is also shown in a Sectioned Case so you can see exactly what is happening. It is typically refered to as the "Pressure Ring".

It is located where the brass begins thickening inside to form the Case head. Look at a Sectioned Case picture and you can easily see what I'm describing.

If you will take a look at ANY other Case you have on hand, that has been fired and reloaded a few times, you should notice the same "Pressure Ring" on them as well.

The Pressure Ring is located at the exact point of Pressure Ring Expansion(PRE) and can be used to "compare" the Pressure generated in a Factory Cartridge against your Reloads. You would need a 0.0001" capable Micrometer to do this since a 0.001" capable Caliper just isn't accurate enough.

The Pressure Ring is created in three ways:

1. As the cartridge is fired, if there is any Excess Headspace, the Case will stretch slightly at this point. The case is initially driven forward by the Firing Pin, then the forward part of the Case grips the Chamber and as Pressure increases the Case Head is forced back against the Bolt Face - stretching the Case just a bit - all the way around the Case.

Using the "Feeler" inside the Case(as you mentioned) makes sure this stretching has not created an Insipient Case Head Separation issue.

Since it is a Dangerous Game cartridge, it is still best to Full Length Resize the Case and accept the relatively short case life as part of the cost. If however you can keep the Cases all separated, there is noting wrong with having your Practice Cases Partial-Full Length Resized(P-FLRed) so you get longer case life - just don't hunt Dangerous Game with them.

2. As the Case is Resized inside your Full Length Resizer, the Pressure Ring can become noticable due to the "burnishing" of the Case Wall at that point as it rubs against the inside of the FL Resizer.

Since you do not "feel" a groove inside the Case, then you are probably seeing the result of #2. But, keep using the Feeler.

3. People who have a Chamber dimensioned relatively close to the Case Dimensions, and who "Neck Size" may have a more difficult time actually seeing the Pressure Ring, because it only gets "burnished" when they have to Bump the Shoulder back with a FL Resizing Die.
---

As you noticed, the Pressure Ring is the "widest" dimension(Fired Case) forward of the Case head on a non-belted case.

And the "widest" dimension(Fired Case) forward of the Belt on a belted case.

Hot Core -

Your post says it as well as it can be said, short of a chapter in a book. Well done!!

Thanks AC. Seeing it in the Speer Manual sure does make it easy to understand though.