Question on brass bulge

[Buglebrush]

I have a Seekins Havak Element in 6.5 PRC, and took it out for its maiden voyage today. I was shooting Factory Hornady ELDM, and on the 12th shot noticed this bulge. It's an actual bulge not just a mark. First shot doesn't seem to have it, but looks to slowly worsen over time. ( Only 12 shots total ) What would cause this? I have a message in to Seekins, and am waiting to hear back.

 

[Shooter71]

Hard to tell, is it a bulge or the start of a case head separation? Or both? Can you see anything in the chamber?

 

[XLR]

I am going to assume that you are not handloading or this is first firing on this brass. With that being said, I would check the headspace of the rifle along with the actual chamber dimension. What you could be seeing here is excessive headspace (chamber too long) or an overpolish which means the chamber is too big in diameter. I am not sure if you have a gunsmith locally that would have the PRC gauges so you could check the length but that is the easiest place to start. Measure your brass with some calipers and compare that to a reamer print for 6.5 PRC. If you have questions about any of that feel free to give us a call as I have the reamer print sitting in from of me for a sammi 6.5 PRC.

 

[Buglebrush]

I am going to assume that you are not handloading or this is first firing on this brass. With that being said, I would check the headspace of the rifle along with the actual chamber dimension. What you could be seeing here is excessive headspace (chamber too long) or an overpolish which means the chamber is too big in diameter. I am not sure if you have a gunsmith locally that would have the PRC gauges so you could check the length but that is the easiest place to start. Measure your brass with some calipers and compare that to a reamer print for 6.5 PRC. If you have questions about any of that feel free to give us a call as I have the reamer print sitting in from of me for a sammi 6.5 PRC.

Not handloaded. This is factory Hornady ammunition. Is it possible for excessive Grease to cause this?

 

[BBob]

I have the reamer print sitting in from of me for a sammi 6.5 PRC.

You all keep in mind lots of us have gone to reamers with at least +.002” at the .200” line over SAAMI on both the 6.5 and 300 PRC’s to eliminate clickers when reloading. The SAAMI dimension is too tight.

 

[XLR]

Not handloaded. This is factory Hornady ammunition. Is it possible for excessive Grease to cause this?

Shouldn't cause this. That would cause a spike in pressure which would most likely show up on the primer or an ejector mark on the back of the brass which i cant see on the picture.

 

[XLR]

You all keep in mind lots of us have gone to reamers with at least +.002” at the .200” line over SAAMI on both the 6.5 and 300 PRC’s to eliminate clickers when reloading. The SAAMI dimension is too tight.

I would have to bet that Seekins is running a saami chamber in their rifles but I am not sure. Even at .002 bigger on the 200 line, I wouldn't think a bulge that bad would show up on the brass...

 

[35WhelenAI]

Is the ring itself raised or is it indented? I honestly can't tell from that picture. If it's raised, not sure. If the ring is indented, incipient case head separation.

 

[Buglebrush]

Is the ring itself raised or is it indented? I honestly can't tell from that picture. If it's raised, not sure. If the ring is indented, incipient case head separation.

The ring is raised not indented. It goes about 2/3rds around the case.

 

[Wrench]

Take a new case and put 2 layers of masking tape on the head and try to camber it. Should absolutely not go...then try one.

Either excess headspace or reamer alignment is where I would look first.

 

[35WhelenAI]

The ring is raised not indented. It goes about 2/3rds around the case.

Thanks for that info. A head scratcher to me in the sense I've never seen that before. But there has to be somewhere the brass is flowing. Thanks for entertaining questions. Is it a bulge like a speed bump or does it raise up from the case head and is level forward of the ring like a ramp?

My thought is something with the chamber, other guys have chimed in on that already.

 

[wind gypsy]

Can you take more pics of the brass from different angles?

 

[Buglebrush]

Thanks for all your replies. The rifle is on its way to Seekins, and I'll swing by and update the results.

 

[ARK89]

I am curious if Seekins resolved your issue? I have a Seekins PH2 in 6.5 PRC and had the same problem with a box of factory 147 ELDM ammo. I sent the rifle in and was told there was nothing wrong with the rifle and the likely cause was a bad batch of brass. Here is a picture that I took of my once fired Hornady brass. I am currently waiting for my rifles return.