Headspace

[hog_head]

After useing go/no go guages on my 243 handi I have found out I have excessive head space. I have started neck sizing for this gun and the problem of case head seperation has stopped. I load for several other handis and I am really noticing the shiny bulge ahead of the case web. Should I send the gun back or just continue to neck size?

[Shu]

I think I would send it back in. That sounds like a quality control issue to me. If you are happy neck sizing only great. I would still send it back to have it looked at though.

 There are other guys here that are much more knowledgeable about the handis and rimless cases though.  Maybe one of them well have better advice.

[cwlongshot]

I agree, its a current and common cambering. The neck sizing will work fine, but there is no reason to have to do this. Just send it back and get a new barrel.

CW

[hog_head]

I would also like to send it back but it is several years 4-5 old. I have been collecting spent brass from several other bottleneck handi's and they to have the same problems. Rimmed cases like the 45-70 and 44 mag never have any headspace signs. I just got Hornady #8 and have read quite a bit about the subject.  I know these rifles cheaper made but I'm afraid if I sent it back I could end up paying for a new barrell that has the same issues. If was gonna get a new barrell fitted and had to pay for it I would probably want another caliber anyway.

[gcrank1]

If you are working with hot loads and brass that you can segregate by number of uses you can keep your eye on that ring and reload them only X number of times, then toss.
I 'hashmark' my box labels to keep track of uses.
Where this becomes very useful is if you have a case give you trouble you can expect more to begin to fail and can toss the lot before they give you anymore grief.
FWIW, as a rule of thumb, if you drop your load by 5% you lower pressures by 10%; may still be accurate and do the job but stress everything less.