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After the last Searcy discussion, it caused me to think about testing things again. This rifle was built for me and fits perfectly. The rifle is extremely well regulated and accurate. Rifle is chambered in 470 NE. My first loads were with Norma brass and I was soon getting case separations after the second loading. These are the ones I measured shoulder growth of .0385. This was a long time ago and I don’t remember if I sized the brass first. I typically never size virgin brass and rarely size to set shoulders back. Like I said, the rifle shot great, it was just hard on very expensive brass. Per Butch’s advice, I used BELL brass and did not experience short brass life. The idea was that the thicker brass would withstand the initial shoulder growth. The problem now is that there is no more BELL. I certainly was not going to use up expensive Norma brass for everyday shooting. I was able to get two boxes of Hornady brass and I took six for my test. I marked each for right and left barrels. I measured the shoulder at 2.54 and did not size. After shooting, I measured virtually no growth on the shoulder! Wow! I set my sizing die to not touch the shoulder at all and thru 3 total loadings, I measured no growth. Great news. I don’t have anymore of the original Norma brass, because after shooting it, I threw it away. I obviously can’t prove it, but knowing that others back then were experiencing case separations with this Norma brass I have to think there was a lot that was made short causeing the excessive growth. I have a box of current Norma and a bag of BELL and both measure out at 2.54. So all three brands of brass that I have measured are at 2.54. The spec minimum in the load books puts the shoulder at 2.50 and if my original Norma brass was close to this, it would explain the .0385 original shoulder growth. If you are looking for a double, I highly recommend the Searcy. When I can save the funds, I want a set of 450-400 barrels. RC Repeal the Hughes Amendment. | ||
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That’s great news it is working as expected. Happy hunting! DRSS | |||
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wow lucky you ! you must have got a good one made on a Wednesday | |||
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I've owned 4 Searcy doubles in my lifetime and all of them shot fantastic groups..One, a .470, won him a World championship or something on that order so he cried, pissed and moaned until I felt sorry for him and eventually traded it back to him for a 450-400, got older and more recoil sensitive..Both of them shot inch groups at 75 yards, you can't beat that..I know many users with Searcys that claim accuracy as the best they ever had..I second that motion.. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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Glad you have sorted out your reloading problem and at least taken away the intimation that Butch's chambering was the problem to the point you wouldn't shoot your Searcy due to the cost of expensive factory ammo and cases for reloading. I am puzzled that on Butch's recommendation you got and used Bell brass which worked fine but then it was no longer available so back to not using your 470 for sometime, but now you tell us you have some new Norma brass and the "a bag of Bell". Where did this brass come from and what was ever stopping you enjoying your Searcy. | |||
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Before Hornady got into this, I figured that the remaining BELL that I had would not last forever and so I was using it very sparingly. I picked up two boxes of Hornady sometime back and let it sit. I now see that it is unavailable currently from Midway. I bought the bag of loose BELL from Buffalo Arms. I bought the new Norma brass from Midway sometime last year. I’ve been meaning to test things out again, but I’ve been busy with other rifles. It took this topic to get me around to looking at it again and I’m glad I did. In my original post, I should not have used the expression, excessive headspace, as that could give inference that it was Searcy’s fault. I’m glad this post clears that up. RC Repeal the Hughes Amendment. | |||
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If someone is looking for an unfired Searcy Classic in 470, mine is still available. I posted it in Classified some time ago. I can include all the loading items that I purchased from an AR member before I got the rifle. I will respond to PMs or emails. Bob Nisbet DRSS & 348 Lever Winchester Lover Temporarily Displaced Texan If there's no food on your plate when dinner is done, you didn't get enough to eat. | |||
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That's all good, I didn't intend to be critical of anything was just curious as to what was happening to cause your failing brass. I note you mention you rarely size to set shoulders back and with the Hornady brass you set your sizing die back to not touch the shoulders, good practice and was the advice I proffered in response to your post in the earlier Searcy conversation, seems you just got caught out with some short brass. Not all lost if you still have any unfired early Norma cases, I would load these up with a light fireforming powder charge with some packed tissue paper or cream of wheat and fire off to push the shoulder forward without flowing brass from the critical web area. | |||
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I wish I had some of that original batch of Norma brass so I could really know. I have 4 loadings through the 6 Hornady brass and there is no sign of case separation externally or with a wire on the inside. Next I'll test the Norma. RC Repeal the Hughes Amendment. | |||
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My recently acquired 470 NE Demans / VC had Norma brass shooting ok. After 2 or 3 shots I annealed the brass. After the 5th shot I found one case started separating when I was resizing it. Another one or two started showing the light ring above the base. I used a bent paper clip and found a couple of others seemed to have a groove inside the case. I have retire the lot. I managed to get 2 packets of Hornady brass and I still have another lot of Norma. I probably need to load up a few more and get back to the range. "When the wind stops....start rowing. When the wind starts, get the sail up quick." | |||
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Norma brass has been known for years for head separations with hot loads in even tight bolt rifles. However I have a H. Berella cape gun with a 8X57JR on the rifle barrel, and 16GA shot barrel on the left side. The Norma brass worked fine for many re-loads, but I have always re-sized just far enough to reach the beginning of the shoulder and that could be the problem. I have never used Norma brass in any high pressure round however. On the other hand I have shot Hornady brass in my 470NE for years and have re-loaded them several times without a problem. However, like the Norma brass I never size enough to move the shoulder even a little! The sizing may well be the problem with the Norma brass! …………………...Good luck, and let us know what you find! …………………………………………………….  ....Mac >>>===(x)===> MacD37, ...and DUGABOY1 DRSS Charter member "If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"~ME 1982 Hands of Old Elmer Keith  | |||
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