Case concerns pic thread

[agent88]

New to reloadimg and I see it mentioned all the time check for signs of over pressure.

Just thought a thread with pictures of cases that are showing problems that would be reason to discard and not reload or signs of overcharging loads would be helpful to those of us new to reloading.

[milotrain]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orJdUR_X67M

I also check the base expansion with a mic, compared to a known standard pressure case. Typically a case expands out into the chamber wall and elastically rebounds to some size, if however it stays expanded more than typical then you know something is going on. Photos don't really work for that.

Also this

http://www.massreloading.com/reading_pressure_signs.html

[bsumoba]

sometimes you'll see a faint ring near the case head. when i see this, i use my custom tool (basically a paper clip modified into a little hook) and put that in the case and feel if I get a "step" on the inside of the case. why I see this, I chuck it.

I usually get loose primer pockets before I get this though.

I also have so much brass that I typically do 4-5 loadings and chuck it. I work in batches so I have a method to how I sort my brass and know what cycle they're on.

[milotrain]

sometimes you'll see a faint ring near the case head. when i see this, i use my custom tool (basically a paper clip modified into a little hook) and put that in the case and feel if I get a "step" on the inside of the case. why I see this, I chuck it.

Incipient case head separation is BAD news. In the AR it's not super dangerous but in some bolt guns it can be your eye's enemy.

I usually get loose primer pockets before I get this though.

That is a very good sign that your loads are right inside a proper safety limits.

(I know you know this, post is for OP)