bamaranger
New member
While working up some .44mag loads, I discovered an issue with R-P cases in my brass assortment. After polishing, then sizing the cases, and setting the expander die up properly for minimal belling case of case mouths, I discovered that every R-P case would accept a .429" jacketed Speer bullet with just thumb pressure. By accept, I mean that the bullet could then be seated to normal C.O.A.L. with thumb pressure ONLY, no use of the press. As this was a mixed batch of cases, I could conduct the same test with other cases prepped and sized at the same time and die settings. No other headstamp, and there was a wide variety of mixed cases, displayed this problem. I sorted all cases by headstamp, set the R-P's aside, and am completing my load project with W_W brass and a handful Shooting Stars to finish the batch.
I cannot put a number to how many times any of these cases have been fired and reloaded, but it would be very varied. Some were once fired range pick-ups, others had been reloaded multiple times, others I just could not say. Additionally, aside from the pick-ups, all would have been fired in either my Ruger carbines, or a 629 Mtn that I am fortunate enough to own. I have never worked up a super hot load using just the R-P's, that would explain what appears to be this "tired" brass. But ONLY the R-P cases displayed a problem. All others, despite age or origin, appear to take the .429" jacketed slug snugly, without issue. I figure the R-P's will take a .430"lead slug snugly, and provided the primer pockets are tight, will load them with midrange lead loads.
But the sloppy .429" jacketed bullets have me wondering what is going on?
I cannot put a number to how many times any of these cases have been fired and reloaded, but it would be very varied. Some were once fired range pick-ups, others had been reloaded multiple times, others I just could not say. Additionally, aside from the pick-ups, all would have been fired in either my Ruger carbines, or a 629 Mtn that I am fortunate enough to own. I have never worked up a super hot load using just the R-P's, that would explain what appears to be this "tired" brass. But ONLY the R-P cases displayed a problem. All others, despite age or origin, appear to take the .429" jacketed slug snugly, without issue. I figure the R-P's will take a .430"lead slug snugly, and provided the primer pockets are tight, will load them with midrange lead loads.
But the sloppy .429" jacketed bullets have me wondering what is going on?