Is blackening on the shoulder ok?

[Oli2737]

I'm new to reloading, so this may well be an obvious one. When shooting factory ammo the brass remains clean, however when I reload either 223 or 308 with N133 & N140 I get a black deposit on the neck of the case. Not lots, just more than factory ammo. Should I be doing something different or is this normal ?

Ideas welcome

oli

[Roodles]

In pistol cases, it can be a sign of under pressure.

With pistol cases in particular I get this a lot. It is caused by the low pressure not fully sealing the brass to the outside of the chamber walls, so some soot gets back down the side of the case.

Some of the more experienced rifle loaders may be able to tell you what else it means, I only have experience of it with straight walled pistol cases.

[Ackley]

I'm new to reloading, so this may well be an obvious one. When shooting factory ammo the brass remains clean, however when I reload either 223 or 308 with N133 & N140 I get a black deposit on the neck of the case. Not lots, just more than factory ammo. Should I be doing something different or is this normal ?

Ideas welcome

oli

increase your powder charge as you may be a little on the low side to seal the case against the chamber wall

[Lightyear]

I got a fair sooty deposit on the neck of some once fired Remington .222 cases that I had been given and full length re-sized, but I hardly get any on my own once fired Sako cases that have been neck sized !!!

Same powder charge in both !!!

When I reload the Remington cases and neck re-size them I shall be interested to see how they fair then...

Cheers + ATVB

Philip

[bobbyb]

I had a problem with sooty necks and an increase i charge cured that.

[Roodles]

I guess that's because the ones that have only been neck sized probably have less far to go to seal the chamber, as they have already been fire formed...

[bobbyb]

Indeed once fired and partial neck sized not been a problem i also worked up a little.

[Oli2737]

Thanks, I wasn't expecting those replys suggesting more powder. As currently using 24g of N133 with 55g bullets and lapua web site tables suggest 22.1 min - 24.5 max. I'm using Winchester cases, and getting soot on the neck. Will try a little more powder. I assume using the 100 I've reloaded won't do any harm, they seem to work ok, and group very well.

Regards oli

[camo304]

I get the same on my 22-250 using blc2 34.2g (34.5 max)50 grain lupua cases yet i was told nowt to worry about it. Shoots fine bolt lift fine just need longer in the cleaner

[baldycoot]

So long as the sooty deposit stays around the neck, and does not run down the outside of the case, you will be ok.

[magus69]

A lot of it is down to the fact that your cases are now harder than the were when fresh from the factory.
New cases have been annealed which softens the brass and reduces the work hardening which came about when the cases were first formed.
A harder case will therefore take more pressure to effectively seal the chamber and as stated upping the powder probably would cure it but I wouldn't recommend it.Work hardening is also the main cause of premature neck splits.
You could either live with it or re-anneal your cases there are ways of doing it quite effectively try google.If you look at factory loads or new brass you will see that it's a slightly different colour around the neck but after you shoot it it takes on a uniform appearance due to hardening back up,an annealed case also shoots more accurately as it seals better thereby limiting the escape of gases past it and giving a more consistent pressure curve.
Mike...

[magus69]

Wey hey that post went straight up no having to keep checking back to see if it's been approved.
Sorry about going off topic.
Mike...

[John_R]

I got sooty necks on loads that were getting close to maximum. Having read a few of the above responses it sounds like it is not something to worry too much about so long as everything else seems OK.

[Oli2737]

As above, unless anyone cares to disagree I think you may have hit the nail on the head. As others suggest i will live with it, as the rifle shoots well and it's not causing any damage.

Thanks for you help..

Oli

[Northern Monkey]

As above, unless anyone cares to disagree I think you may have hit the nail on the head. As others suggest i will live with it, as the rifle shoots well and it's not causing any damage.

Thanks for you help..

Oli

Also, check your case length. One of the most common mistakes when reloading is to bump the shoulders back a little too far (only takes a couple of thou) and it can lead to some issues, including signs of pressure.

If you are the bottom of the loading range for the calibre and powder however, I would suggest a gradual and measured increase in the load to ses if it cures it.

You can expect some light sooty deposits, but as mentioned above as long as it stops about the base of the neck you will be fine.