Muskyhunter1
12-08-2013, 09:21 PM
Folks,
What are your thoughts on the quality of 6.5 Carcano "nny" brass?
I picked up a Carcano Type 38 TS in 6.5x52mm on a deal. I then went to the local gun shop and ended up buying a bag of new empties head stamped "nny". I did some research and I am under the impression it is Yugoslavian and the "nny" is cryllic for "PPU" or Privi Partizan brand. I have used that brand in my 7.62x54r and it has been really good so far.........
I molded some Lyman 6.5 (#266469) 143 grain boolits with WW lead and sized them at .266 with a Hornady gas check. I then loaded the "nny" casings with the accuracy load recommended in the Lyman 45th Edition for the 6.5 Carcano. I used 15 grains (Max is 18 grains) of 2400 and a Winchester large rifle primer. I shot the load and it is very accurate in my old rifle that likely has a groove diameter of .268 (haven't had a chance to slug it yet).
During reloading I noticed the rims on the "nny" casings are very thin and required extra care so as to not damage them. I even had to switch to a smaller shell holder (for 7.62x39mm Lee# 12) then with what had came with the Lee dies to prevent damaging the rims during sizing, etc. This is where the first Carcano learning curve was encountered.
This was my first enblock type rifle and I didn't realize the importance of magazine feeding the shells, so that they fit (slide up) into the extractors on the bolt face as they are picked up during the cycling of the action. Initially, I single fed rounds into the chamber and I noticed the primers were backing out after firing and a few were even punctured (not good).
I then discovered this is a common problem that the primers do pop back out if the Carcano is single fed. When you magazine feed the rounds the case head/primer is being held by the rims to the bolt face on firing. The primers come out looking normal after extraction. When you single feed the round it often pushes the round farther into the chamber as the extractor can't get over or partially over the case rim.
A couple of days later I loaded another 20 rounds with the same load/casings. All rounds were magazine fed and it was much better this time. Only on one round did the primer puncture and leak some gas but all were somewhat flat and not overly protruding. The primer dents seem fairly deep but not overly. I examined the firing pin and noticed a burr or sharp edge on the end of the firing pin. I will obviously hone the firing pin end to take that sharp edge off before the next range visit. This should hopefully remedy any more primers leaking but of course time will tell........
Today I picked up a box of loaded Norma 6.5 Carcano rounds that make me question "nny" brass quality and the thinness of their rims may be a contributing factor affect the primers popping out. I measured the rim thickness of the "nny" shells and they are .0355 on an inch. I then measured the Norma brass and it was .0455 inch which considerably thicker than the "nny" casings. My thoughts are that the Norma brass will hold the primer/case head tighter to the bolt face during ignition. Therefore because of there being less play (-.0100 inch) between the bolt face and the case head on ignition the primer should not expand backward to the point it will/may rupture or pop up as it does with the "nny" brass. Just a theory any thoughts?
Thanks folks.
What are your thoughts on the quality of 6.5 Carcano "nny" brass?
I picked up a Carcano Type 38 TS in 6.5x52mm on a deal. I then went to the local gun shop and ended up buying a bag of new empties head stamped "nny". I did some research and I am under the impression it is Yugoslavian and the "nny" is cryllic for "PPU" or Privi Partizan brand. I have used that brand in my 7.62x54r and it has been really good so far.........
I molded some Lyman 6.5 (#266469) 143 grain boolits with WW lead and sized them at .266 with a Hornady gas check. I then loaded the "nny" casings with the accuracy load recommended in the Lyman 45th Edition for the 6.5 Carcano. I used 15 grains (Max is 18 grains) of 2400 and a Winchester large rifle primer. I shot the load and it is very accurate in my old rifle that likely has a groove diameter of .268 (haven't had a chance to slug it yet).
During reloading I noticed the rims on the "nny" casings are very thin and required extra care so as to not damage them. I even had to switch to a smaller shell holder (for 7.62x39mm Lee# 12) then with what had came with the Lee dies to prevent damaging the rims during sizing, etc. This is where the first Carcano learning curve was encountered.
This was my first enblock type rifle and I didn't realize the importance of magazine feeding the shells, so that they fit (slide up) into the extractors on the bolt face as they are picked up during the cycling of the action. Initially, I single fed rounds into the chamber and I noticed the primers were backing out after firing and a few were even punctured (not good).
I then discovered this is a common problem that the primers do pop back out if the Carcano is single fed. When you magazine feed the rounds the case head/primer is being held by the rims to the bolt face on firing. The primers come out looking normal after extraction. When you single feed the round it often pushes the round farther into the chamber as the extractor can't get over or partially over the case rim.
A couple of days later I loaded another 20 rounds with the same load/casings. All rounds were magazine fed and it was much better this time. Only on one round did the primer puncture and leak some gas but all were somewhat flat and not overly protruding. The primer dents seem fairly deep but not overly. I examined the firing pin and noticed a burr or sharp edge on the end of the firing pin. I will obviously hone the firing pin end to take that sharp edge off before the next range visit. This should hopefully remedy any more primers leaking but of course time will tell........
Today I picked up a box of loaded Norma 6.5 Carcano rounds that make me question "nny" brass quality and the thinness of their rims may be a contributing factor affect the primers popping out. I measured the rim thickness of the "nny" shells and they are .0355 on an inch. I then measured the Norma brass and it was .0455 inch which considerably thicker than the "nny" casings. My thoughts are that the Norma brass will hold the primer/case head tighter to the bolt face during ignition. Therefore because of there being less play (-.0100 inch) between the bolt face and the case head on ignition the primer should not expand backward to the point it will/may rupture or pop up as it does with the "nny" brass. Just a theory any thoughts?
Thanks folks.