A little advice please!

[lrrifleman]

Greetings!

This past weekend I hit the range after a match to test my handloads for a 1000 yard plus rifle I put together. The load met my expectations, but the spent cases ejected with a rather smokey film. Normally, I have the bullets held in the neck using normal case neck tension.

The particulars. I am loading once fired 224 Valkyrie cases (Federal), with a Hornady 88gr ELD-M bullet with a near maximum charge of Varget. Out of a 24" heavy barrel, the bullet is moving at 2650 fps, keeping it supersonic beyond 1200 yards, which should shoot decent groups at a thousand. Shooting factory ammo, this film isn't present. Ejected cases from my handloads are not showing signs of pressure or splits.

Does this sound like a higher degree of tension, or a crimp, needs to be applied?

As always, thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Nevada Ed]

When I got dirty/smoked cases, it usually ment........

Too low of a fps to expand the neck to seal
the neck was trimmed too short
the case shoulder is set back too far
or the chamber is out of spec for that case & sizing.

good luck.

 

[dave1918a2]

If You turn the necks for consistency You may need to send some fired cases to whoever makes Your dies and get a neck sizing die cut. You don't get onto case prep so it's a **** shoot. With My 1000 Yd guns I have a neck sizing die cut for the guns chamber.

 

[Scharfschuetzer]

I concur with the posts above. My 2 cents:

1. When I get smudged or smoky cases, it's usually due to a failure of the case to obturate due to low pressure. Doesn't sound like that's your problem.

2. I use Redding or Wilson collet neck sizing dies on my long range and fire formed cases. With the collets, I can adjust neck tension in .001" increments. This way I don't have to use an expander button at all and case life is excellent.

3. I don't have particularly tight chambers as my rifles also have to perform on the rapid fire stages of the NM course, so when I turn the case necks, I only take enough off to remove any high spots in the neck. Most good brass doesn't require much shaving.

My experience is with the 308 and the 30/06 in the National Match, Palma and NRA long range courses of fire (600, 800, 900, 1,000 yards) and not with your 224 Valkyrie, so take it all with a grain of salt.

 

[SMSgt]

If you're getting desired results, I would not overthink it.