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I've just had a look at some of the brass from my .308" target rifle. I'm seeing a definite ringing, or series of rings, with both RWS and GGG once-fired cases. These run between 1/4" and 1/2" from the chamfer at the case head. This is all brass from factory ammunition.

I know .303" brass stretches over the last 1/4" or so as the case fireforms to the chamber. This effect doesn't look like that - it's just a series of concentric rings at irregular intervals. Is this something I should worry about? The brass looks normal in all other respects.

What rifle is it in?.

Gaz wrote:I've just had a look at some of the brass from my .308" target rifle. I'm seeing a definite ringing, or series of rings, with both RWS and GGG once-fired cases. These run between 1/4" and 1/2" from the chamfer at the case head. This is all brass from factory ammunition.

I know .303" brass stretches over the last 1/4" or so as the case fireforms to the chamber. This effect doesn't look like that - it's just a series of concentric rings at irregular intervals. Is this something I should worry about? The brass looks normal in all other respects.

Cut one is half and see what it looks like.

Add a photo for a better diagnosis.

..

I had this on a brand new AI .338LM some years back. On returning it to AI they confirmed the problem was due to a faulty chamber reamer which had left a couple of score marks in the chamber which imprinted on fired cases. They replaced the barrel.

Is this a new barrel/rifle?

I had this on an old .303 as well, it was down to some marking on the inside of the chamber, it shot and extracted OK and wasa handy way of identifying the brass fired through that particular gun.

[quote="Gaz"]I've just had a look at some of the brass from my .308" target rifle. I'm seeing a definite ringing, or series of rings, with both RWS and GGG once-fired cases. These run between 1/4" and 1/2" from the chamfer at the case head. This is all brass from factory ammunition.

I am presuming the rings are always in the same place irrespective of type of brass?? Whatever, it can only be marking inside the chamber that is causing these rings. If it does not happen with other brass then probably they are loaded to a lower pressure.

ColinR wrote:

Gaz wrote:I've just had a look at some of the brass from my .308" target rifle. I'm seeing a definite ringing, or series of rings, with both RWS and GGG once-fired cases. These run between 1/4" and 1/2" from the chamfer at the case head. This is all brass from factory ammunition.

I am presuming the rings are always in the same place irrespective of type of brass?? Whatever, it can only be marking inside the chamber that is causing these rings. If it does not happen with other brass then probably they are loaded to a lower pressure.

Yes, marking's always in the same place. I'll get a picture of a couple of cases tonight and post it here.

Sadly it's not a new barrel. Mind you, it outshoots me so it can't be all that bad...

Fired cases. GGG to the left, RWS to the right. You can see the ringing more clearly on the RWS brass. I can just about feel them by dragging a pin across them. Once fired.

Gaz wrote:Fired cases. GGG to the left, RWS to the right. You can see the ringing more clearly on the RWS brass. I can just about feel them by dragging a pin across them. Once fired.

hot loads in the RWS?

That does not seem to be very bad 'ringing' - it was far worse in my AI .338 LM and made a definite cut into the brass which would have eventually been a source of weakness. If you are concerned then get a gunsmith to polish the chamber to remove the marking left by what was probably a worn or damaged reamer. Otherwise if it shoots OK then live with it. I doubt this level of marking will affect the integrity of the brass cases.