.358 Winchester Brass Dinged Up

BucolicBuffalo · Jul 14, 2016

Some of you guys may have made this journey before me. What am I seeing here? Or more precisely, what is causing the scratches and dings on my brass where it's located?

Rifle is a M77, red pad, tang safety in .358 Winchester. I shot up a bunch of loads and as I grabbed them I really only looked at the primers. Tried to keep any from falling off the bench, so I didn't rack the bolt as hard as I might if I did not care about the brass. Still, they have to be hitting something.

I lined them up in the loading block so you can see them marked in the same area. Five on the left is Winchester brass, and five on the right LC .308 necked up to .358. LC is thicker and just a bit shorter than the Winchester brass.

I will check the gun good. Maybe see a bit of brass on some sharp areas near the chamber. If I find something, think I can stone it to smooth it?

DeletedMember275 · Jul 15, 2016

The dents are doubtless caused by the brass impacting something during extraction or ejection. They are cosmetic only, and will not effect brass life or safety. I shoot M1 Garands and M1As, and those dents are just a fact of life for a gas-gun shooter. Perhaps if you eject an empty case very slowly, you'll be able to watch and see wht the brass is striking.

Jimbo357mag · Jul 15, 2016

I think he just wanted to show off those handsome loading blocks. :D :D

WIL TERRY · Jul 15, 2016

LOOK at the back of the action, right side, and you'll EXACTLY where the brass is impoacting opon ejection.
And so it goes...

BucolicBuffalo · Jul 15, 2016

Thanks Wil. I will start there.

Jimbo, you are only so correct. I do love wood. I have thirteen of those wood blocks around here.

Enigma. I did not know if a split might start from one of the deeper dents. If it was something I can solve, I will try. Oh, and that LC brass is a bunch tougher than the Winchester. It's got to be for those gas guns I guess.