Reloading enthusiasts often encounter various challenges when it comes to brass casings. One perplexing issue is dealing with brass that seems unusually soft, leading to premature wear and potential safety concerns. Let’s delve into a discussion about soft brass, pressure signs, and how tools like the Hornady Headspace Comparator might play a role in understanding and mitigating these problems.
The original poster in a forum shared their experience with LC-14 brass, noting several concerning signs that pointed towards the brass being softer than expected. These observations included ejector marks already present on once-fired brass purchased from a range, sticky bolt lift at powder charges significantly lower than what’s typically safe with comparable brass, and rapidly loosening primer pockets even at reduced loads.
Decoding the Signs of Soft Brass
The initial observation of “half moon bumps” or ejector marks is a classic indicator of excessive pressure. Typically, these marks suggest pressures exceeding proof load levels, often around 82,000 psi or higher. However, the poster rightly questions this assumption in the context of their LC-14 brass. Their reasoning is multi-faceted and based on practical reloading experience:
- Pre-existing Ejector Marks: The fact that these marks were present on once-fired brass before the poster reloaded them is unusual. This could suggest the brass was already stressed in its initial factory firing or during its life at the range.
- Case Volume Consistency: The poster conducted case volume tests and found no significant difference between the LC-14 brass and other brass like LC-09, LC-10, and LC-12. This is important because case volume directly affects pressure. If volumes are similar, pressure differences are less likely to be solely attributed to case capacity variations.
- Lower Maximum Charge: This is a key indicator. Experienced reloaders often work up loads incrementally, observing pressure signs. The poster notes being able to load 1.5 to 2 grains less IMR-4064 in the LC-14 brass compared to their other brass before encountering sticky bolt lift. This, coupled with a velocity drop of approximately 120 fps at the lower charge, strongly suggests the LC-14 brass is reaching pressure limits sooner. Sticky bolt lift is a tactile pressure sign indicating excessive pressure in many rifle platforms.
- Loose Primer Pockets: Premature loosening of primer pockets after only a few firings, even at reduced charges, is another red flag pointing to softer brass. Primer pockets should remain tight for multiple reloadings if pressures are within normal operating ranges.
The Question of Brass Softness
Putting these points together, the conclusion that the LC-14 brass is “soft, like way soft” becomes compelling. While the exact metallurgical properties are unknown without lab testing, the practical reloading observations strongly support this assessment. It’s important to note that “soft” in this context doesn’t necessarily mean the brass is unsafe to load, but it does imply a reduced working pressure limit and potentially shorter case life.
Where Does a Hornady Headspace Comparator Fit In?
While a Hornady Headspace Comparator won’t directly measure brass softness, it is an invaluable tool for reloaders and can indirectly help in understanding and managing issues like those described. Here’s how:
- Consistency in Sizing: A headspace comparator measures the shoulder datum of a case. This measurement is critical for consistent and accurate reloading. By using a comparator, reloaders can ensure they are consistently sizing their brass, avoiding over-working it, which can contribute to premature weakening and potentially exacerbate issues in already soft brass.
- Detecting Case Head Separation: While not the primary issue discussed, excessive headspace (often due to improper sizing) can lead to case head separation, a dangerous reloading failure. A headspace comparator allows reloaders to monitor case stretch and identify cases that are approaching dangerous headspace levels.
- Understanding Chamber Fit: By measuring fired cases with a headspace comparator and comparing them to sized cases and factory ammunition, reloaders can gain a better understanding of how their brass is fitting in their specific rifle chamber. This knowledge is crucial for optimizing sizing practices and ensuring safe and accurate ammunition.
- Diagnosing Potential Issues: In the context of the soft LC-14 brass, a headspace comparator could help confirm if there are any unusual dimensional variations in this brass compared to other brass. While the poster notes consistent case volume, dimensional inconsistencies might still be present and contribute to the observed behavior.
Using a Headspace Comparator Effectively
To utilize a Hornady Headspace Comparator in this scenario, a reloader would typically:
- Establish a Baseline: Measure a few pieces of new, unfired brass or known good quality fired brass to establish a baseline headspace measurement for their rifle and caliber.
- Measure Fired Cases: After firing the LC-14 brass (or any brass in question), measure the headspace of the fired cases before sizing. This will show how much the brass has expanded upon firing.
- Measure Sized Cases: After resizing the brass, measure the headspace again. The goal is to size the brass just enough to allow it to chamber easily without over-sizing, which can lead to excessive case working and reduced case life.
- Compare Measurements: By comparing the headspace measurements of new, fired, and sized brass, reloaders can identify inconsistencies, monitor case stretch, and fine-tune their sizing die adjustments.
Conclusion: Tools for Precision and Safety
While the original forum post highlights a specific issue with potentially soft LC-14 brass, it underscores the importance of careful observation, understanding pressure signs, and utilizing appropriate reloading tools. A Hornady Headspace Comparator, while not a direct solution to soft brass, is an essential tool for any serious reloader. It promotes consistency in sizing, aids in understanding chamber fit, and contributes to overall reloading safety and accuracy. For reloaders encountering unusual brass behavior, using a headspace comparator in conjunction with careful load development and observation of pressure signs is crucial for safe and effective reloading practices.
