Checking for Incipient Case Head Separation?

[Josh Smith]

Hello,

I use a straightened safety pin with a 90 degree bend on the end to check for incipient case head separation.

My concern is that I've never felt a ring.

My oldest rifle brass is 7.62x54R Winchester. The majority of it has been reloaded three to five times apiece using mild to warm loads, depending on whose data you use.

I've been loading at 47 grains of Varget under 150grn bullets these days. The previous load was 47.2 grains of Varget or H335. (I only used one pound of H335; didn't like the stuff).

I'm dropping back to 45 grains Varget because I just don't need the velocity at the ranges I shoot at. Heck, I only went up to 47 grains in the first place because it's Hodgdon's minimum. After looking over more data and deciding I won't flash the powder I'm going back to it.

The first two times I reloaded I sized full length, then something like 3/4 length. I only neck size now because I figure the military chambers are a bit generous, and I like headspacing on the shoulder.

Point being, these cases have sizing marks in different spots and I just really don't trust using the outside to judge. There are no new bright rings, and the rings that I see from sizing have obviously been there for a bit. None are raised.

So... I guess my concern is that these cases have more than a few reloadings on them and I think I should be feeling something I'm not feeling.

Advice?

Thanks,

Josh

[huckberry668]

the inside ring appears at around the area unsupported by the chamber. usually 1/2" above the head. You might need a sharp pointy end and stiff shaft to feel the ring. Instead of a paper clip try bending a nail and sharpen the point.

Question for you, can you actually chamber those 3/4 length sized brass? My experience tells me you're lengthening the brass by squeezing & elongating the body which makes the brass longer. What really needs to be done is bumping the shoulder back. 3/4 length doesn't come close to bumping the shoulder.

[bumpo628]

Cut one case in half with a band saw and take a look. That is the only way to really be sure.