PPU 30-30 Brass

[Butternut]

Has anyone else had problems with PPU brass? I picked up some once fired brass (mixed HS) and the PPU is giving me fits resizing. Its very tight in the sizing die and wants to stick. I'm using alot of case lube but its bad enough that i may have to try annealing the cases first. Rem and Win brass are working fine. Any feedback is welcome. Dies are RCBS if that matters.

 

[Tactically Fat]

I don't reload - but I did a quick Google of folks having issues with PPU brass. It was in my mind that PPU belonged to a well known maker - and it does. It's Privi Partizan (I'm sure I butchered that)

It's evidently good stuff - especially whole / unfired ammo - in all calibers.

But - it also seems to be that their brass is especially hard; making it especially hard to reload.

So, you're not alone in your difficulties!

Perhaps keep up on the case-lube and work the actuation lever more firmly than you're used to?

Hopefully someone else will be along with more real-life experience.

 

[Butternut]

So it may be that annealing will fix my issues. That said if it becomes problematic i may avoid the PPU if other stock is available. I reckon more research is in order.

 

[Broom_jm]

PPU brass uses a slightly different alloy that is, as you've discovered, harder than most of the commercial brands we are used to resizing. Aside from taking more horsepower to get the cases resized, they are perfectly reloadable. You may want to consider using separate data with them, though, as capacity may vary from other brands.

 

[Butternut]

I'm planning to work up cast huntung loads at moderate velocities. I dont anticipate any over pressure issues but i may need to shoot them over a chrony to see if theres any notable differences.

 

[Tactically Fat]

PPU brass uses a slightly different alloy that is, as you've discovered, harder than most of the commercial brands we are used to resizing. Aside from taking more horsepower to get the cases resized, they are perfectly reloadable. You may want to consider using separate data with them, though, as capacity may vary from other brands.

Would a water volume test be how you determine this?

 

[Broom_jm]

Would a water volume test be how you determine this?

Yes, that's the most common way of checking internal case capacity.

 

[Butternut]

Annealing did the trick. Everything went smoothly so once they are fire formed to my chamber i hopefully should get a couple of reloads out of them before i have to do it again.

 

[Broom_jm]

Annealing did the trick. Everything went smoothly so once they are fire formed to my chamber i hopefully should get a couple of reloads out of them before i have to do it again.

How far down did you anneal them?

 

[Butternut]

Annealed my cases half way down between the rim and the shoulder. How'd i do?

 

[Butternut]

Yup. I believe i have over annealed. I just did some reading up on the color change to watch for and i'm pretty sure i overdid it. My next question is can i work harden the brass back to usable? Worse case is i have to scrap 8 cases.

 

[Broom_jm]

Yup. I believe i have over annealed. I just did some reading up on the color change to watch for and i'm pretty sure i overdid it. My next question is can i work harden the brass back to usable? Worse case is i have to scrap 8 cases.

You have to scrap 8 cases...don't risk using them.

Annealing should ONLY occur in the neck/shoulder area. You seriously do not want to anneal any of the case body, although the very top of the case body isn't a big issue. The case HEAD should never be annealed in any way.

Get a candle and a wet towel. Hold the case halfway down the body while rotating it back and forth, with the junction of the neck and shoulder in the flame of the candle. When the case becomes too warm to hold, drop it on the wet towel. Try this with 5 cases. Allow them to cool, wipe the soot off, lube and resize. Most folks find this resolves the overly difficult sizing issue but prevents the case head or most of the body from being annealed.

I'll be curious to hear if this works for ya.

 

[Sling10mm]

Yep, I have had the same issue with Prvi brass in 308 Winchester. Takes a lot of oomph to size.