View Full Version : dents in brass
Sure-Shot
07-10-2004, 09:50 AM
I am reloading for a wildcat, 6mm-284, it seems I get a number of small dents do to the amount of neck down. Was wondering-
1. Any suggestions on reducing/eliminating the denting
2. Do I toss all the dented cases or can I use them and let fire-forming straighten them out.
Thanks for any input.
snowtigger
07-10-2004, 10:02 AM
You might try annealing the cases. Excessive case lube could also be the culprit.
I used to neck down .338 Win mag cases to .308 Norma mag. If the dents weren't too excessive, I would let them fireform in my chamber. Sometimes they were so bad, I just threw them away.
ribbonstone
07-10-2004, 10:17 AM
Sounds more like lube-dents than an anneling problem. Just use the least amount of lube to get the job done, and clean the die after every couple of cases.
May help to 1/2 form them, withdraw themn from the die and redistribute the lube (removing the excess), then fully form them.
Slight dents probably won't cause a problem with fire forming/medium pressure loads. The dented ones may grow uneven after the first firing, so be ready to trim them after one use.
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IF after forming, you notice the cases splitting or other wise failing at the neck-end, then annelaing would be indicated...but making them too soft before forming them usually just accordians them in the forming die.
BCstocker
07-10-2004, 10:38 AM
Sure shot;
Those are lube dents. When forming cases apply the minimum amount of lube to the case neck and case body but do not get any lube on the sloping shoulder. Also apply a thin coating to the inside of the neck to lubricate the expander button and reduce stretching of the case. If you use spray lubes or a pad you are asking for the dents to occur although they generally shoot out on fireforming.
If you can get it Imperial sizing die wax if very good. Equally as useful for forming cases is Smiling Mink leather waterproofer. It's a white tallowy leather preservative which one bullet manufacturer repackages and sells as a case lube.
With either of these lubes just get a tiny dab on your index finger and thumb and carefully spread it very thinly on the areas referred to. I reformed 200 cases from 300 Win Mag and 264 Win Mag to 7 x 61 S&H using Smiling Mink without a single lube dent and there is significantly more metal being moved around there than in your conversion. Just wipe the lube off the cases with a clean cloth before loading and shooting.
Try this method and your problems will be over.
faucettb
07-10-2004, 08:01 PM
Try using graphite and just dipping your cases in about 3/4 inch instead of rolling in lube. I use this and a spray lube that leaves a white film on the cases.
If you put your cases in a pan of water up about 1/2 or 3/4 inch then heat the necks til red with a propane torch and tip them over in the water you will find that your cases will last longer and won't lube dent so much. I do this about every 5 firings.
Good luck.
Sure-Shot
07-10-2004, 08:46 PM
Thanks one and all, I saved the ones with minor dents tossed the ones with major dents and think I will change lubes, was pad rolling, before I do the next batch.
Ahhh - Imperial Sizing Wax!!! One of the best lubes on the market, especially for cold forming cases!
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