06-12-2023, 12:19 PM
Regarding neck tension, I can't tell, as a moa-class shooter, the effect of tension, but the quarter-moa shooter may be able to.
My view is that the precise degree of neck tension not particularly important as long as all of the cases have been fired the same number of times but may be important when the brass has a variety of shots in the small lot.
Brass hardens each time it is worked and the shot, size, and resize all induce plastic work, so the tension will be greatest just before the neck cracks. Most of the work hardening happens early in the size-resize cycle. That rapid, followed by a slow, hardening rate suggests that the tension should become more uniform as the number of shots and resize cycles increases.
The first resize cycle will help iron out any anneal-induced hardness inconsistencies. That's why I advocate resizing freshly annealed brass prior to loading.
BTW my first neck cracks and base separations in the Grendel were consistent with the OP -- on the 13th to 15th reload cycle.
My view is that the precise degree of neck tension not particularly important as long as all of the cases have been fired the same number of times but may be important when the brass has a variety of shots in the small lot.
Brass hardens each time it is worked and the shot, size, and resize all induce plastic work, so the tension will be greatest just before the neck cracks. Most of the work hardening happens early in the size-resize cycle. That rapid, followed by a slow, hardening rate suggests that the tension should become more uniform as the number of shots and resize cycles increases.
The first resize cycle will help iron out any anneal-induced hardness inconsistencies. That's why I advocate resizing freshly annealed brass prior to loading.
BTW my first neck cracks and base separations in the Grendel were consistent with the OP -- on the 13th to 15th reload cycle.
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"To those who have fought and almost died for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know."
-- Author Unknown
"If at first you do succeed, try not to look astonished!" -- Milton Berle