Finally, a man who shares usable knowledge. Thank you so much Mr. Randy

Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom. “An accurate rifle is interesting” RS Indeed it is, we appreciate this 🙏🏽

We have been measuring case head expansion for years! I have held mine to 0.0002" expansion. I have used a blade micrometer to measure the case head as I fine it more accurate. I am glad you are showing how it's done. Mr. Speer told us 0.0001" was max and others have said 0.0005", I have settled at 0.0002", I also use a 0-1" blade from Mitutoyo Digimatic Blade Micrometer, 0-1" accurate to 0.00015". The other thing is to be careful that you are not measuring ahead of the case web where some cases expand at that junction. If I remember right the, it was in Handloader Magazine back in the 70's were I first came across the method.

I am blessed and very greatfull that you are willing to pass down such valuable information to us, other people make you pay big money to learn the things I have from your videos, thank you sir for you're time and knowledge!

This video describes exactly how I was taught to hold and use a micrometer nearly 50 years ago while working as an inspector for a precision machine shop in the automotive and heavy equipment industries. I was also trained in layout inspection for the jigs and fixtures used in production and final inspection. This is THE way to hold a micrometer.

Thank you for sharing this information. For those of us who can't find a teacher - this is an invaluable experience.

You Sir, you've absolutely made my progression in handloading so much more exciting & enjoyable through sharing all your years of experience & knowledge with us. Thank you & wishing you & your family a wonderful holiday season 😊 from 🇨🇦

You are truly a wealth of information Mr. Shelby. God bless you for passing down your knowledge, to the next generation. I am most grateful. Merry Christmas Old Timer.

Thank you, Mr Randy, keep the great information coming

First time I heard about checking for pressures.....Thanks you for all you do!

Thanks Randy, I have used your technique to bring my 6.5 SE into the 21st century shooting 100gr bullets I only came close to head expansion expansion with faster burning powder AR 2206H. It has taken a while to get to the AR2209 via 2208. Whilst the faster powders took a lot more efffort to get to 3200fps, 2209 made it easy almost within book parameters . Your information and comments proved extremely helpful 👍🏻

Like I said Randy sir you have forgotten more than I do know and ever will know thank y’all GOD BLESS

Thanks for sharing Randy. I hope more people listen to what you are saying.

Great video I learned something new. Always watched for pressure signs but never new how to measure it. Thanks.

Thank you for sharing your incredible knowledge.

Excellent information & much appreciated. Casework is the vital foundation of the whole shooting match.

Just maybe the best one yet, randy. Thanks

You are a treasure Randy. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Thanks for sharing your experience and valuable information with us!

These are pearls of wisdom! Thank you for sharing from Greeley, Colorado!

Thank you for taking the time to teach and pass on your knowledge.

Good evening Randy and to your lovely wife to.

Great video Randy, thanks for sharing your vast knowledge, you are the Master Technician.

Fantastic information and instruction. Thank you. 🐕

Very informative advice. Thank you Randy.

Real sound advice and very experienced with rhe subject

Thanks Randy😅. I have a digital micrometer with interchangeable ball, flat and point measuring ends. I often wondered why it was designed in such manner. Now I understand why and how to use my micrometer even better. Once again, Thanks you!

I love to set in my junk room my wife calls it and listen to the radio and load some rounds. Randy sir this is a very good video all of your videos are great. Thank you for sharing this very informative video with us great job. I learn something from every one of your videos I can catch. Merry Christmas to you and your family sir and Happy New Year GOD BLESS y’all Amen 🙏

Keep putting it out there thank you!

The old ways are the best, thank you for sharing!

Thank you for the great talk

Thank you for sharing your knowledge

Thanks Randy for sharing your wisdom. God Bless and Merry Christmas

I know one thing since I learned how to measure my brass I was amazed at the greatest groups I can shoot.

Randy sir I don’t doubt your wisdom one bit and I’m sure you’ve forgotten more than I will ever know. I’ve been loading from when I started till now probably 35 years.

Great information thanks so much.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and keep your videos coming please.

Great information! I enjoy your videos.

Thank you, Sir! I have ALWAYS done it that way, but I limited my loads to 0.0003" for the first firing. Also note that brass work hardens, so I always check the 2nd and 3rd firings, too, just to measure that those expand LESS than the original 0.0003". Having said all that there, I then back the load down 0.5 to 1 grain to check for best accuracy. I Usually find that accuracy point at 0.5 grain below the maximum load. Oh. BTW, I have yet to have any game animal thank me for the 30-50 f/s slower impacts... It washes out over range variations anyways. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Jerry

Awesome info! Thank you!

I love Randy!!!

The etymology of micrometer is greek and actually preceeds the metric system. It simply means, "small measure", not a millionth of a meter, micron. or micrometre. I am also a machinist. Not as old as Randy but 48 years in shops both commercial and academic. Most of those shops were climate controlled to prevent errors due to expansion or contraction of stock due to fluctuations in temperature. One of those shops is a contractor to NASA. Every professor and every master machinist or tool maker using a hand held micrometer that I have ever known used it as Randy demonstrated. But I am old. Is there something new under the sun that I have missed? (Happens more and more). Can you share a source? Every second year machinist knows that the thermal expansion coefficient of steel is approximately 0.0000072 inches per degree Fahrenheit or about 12 micrometres (see what I did?) of length per meter of stock at +1°C. They also know that it is a range. No hand held micrometer can even see those differences. Cheers!

Found nearly 30 years ago. Use a specific case brand and check all by weight and detention. Use a quality reloading manual and follow with caution. Have found that small cases such as .22 hornet , .17 hornet. .17 fireball , .221 fireball are very sensitive to pressure spikes between different case manufacturers and powder manufacturers even from one lot to the next . I love them but always keep safe in reloading them. Tight tolerances spike pressure. Fact. Use discipline and control over how you reload ! Blessings to you all and keep safety first!

Great video. Just looking at primers and looking for extractor marks/heavy bolt lift doesn’t tell the story. Your method does. Using the micrometer is more accurate and gives feedback before something extremely negative happens. Thank you.

The case head measurement system produces very low grade information. It is possible to overcome this by measuring a prohibitively large number of samples, but that just isn't practical. Anyone who thinks they are going to get a correct pressure measurement by measuring a few case heads is dreaming. It has been part of the lore for a long time, and is thankfully finally starting to be abandoned. It is dangerous and should not be used.

Greatly appreciated..

Very interesting.

Thank you Randy

I’m pausing for my comments I like Winchester brass I’ve always used more of it than any other kind of brass.

Thank you for your videos. My observation this year with Hornady 7PRC brass was impressive in a very negative way. Even with first reloadings and minimal powder charges, the primers basically fell into the pockets. Even some of the once fired brass from factory ammo wouldn't even keep a primer snug. This is the first year I've ever handloaded Hornady brass. It won't happen again

I have a Starrett micrometer, hopefully that is accurate enough.

Everything Randy is explaining is stuff I was taught by my father. Sadly, todays younger generation have dropped it on the ground and left it to spoil. So sad.

Thanks Randy…

👍👍

Hi Randy, Thanks for passing on life long info, Forgive me if I missed the answer,. How do you deal (measure) with 2nd, 3rd, 4th fired brass ? if you use it for further load development? Or Is it just once testing from brand new brass only? Thanks, The Windsock.

A writer is a writer not gunsmith. Love it.

😊I think our ole buddy Ken Waters explains it well in his books (pet loads ) vol. 1&2

Can you tell how to measure pressure using plastic gauge

Now with the different case styles wouldn't you measure them differently such as a belted magnum ,rimmed,rimless,rebated cartridges have different traits that are essential .the shoulder on a belted magnum may shift .also the pressures by bullet seating depth will effect case life and could aid in accuracy and remember barrel throat and freebore along with chamber may expand with high pressures after many loads have been sent through the barrel !

Randy, What should a guy do with piles of brass in various cartridges that may have been fired over pressure but were never measured at the case head prior to firing? Can it still be used or does it go in the trash? If I find pieces with an extractor mark on the bottom of the case should I throw those away?

Hello Mr Selby allways enjoy learning and watching your videos. Just wondering your opinion about Norma brass vs Lapua brass? It just seems like some shooters ar religous about lapua "if lapua doesnt make brass dont load it" . Also any input on the 7prc-w cartridge it a 6.5 prc necked up to 7mm. That caliber won the worlds in fclass open and i think recent midrange as well at nationals. I think it was favored because Lapua brass is avaliable. just wondering any thoughts on these subjects, thank you and happy holidays.

Randy what is your thoughts on a tight chamber holding the case head expansion to a minimum until that pressure far surpasses what a factory rifle would have exhibited for the maximum allowable case head expansion?

A lotta years ago, I read about this measurement, but the recommendation was to measure the expansion of a new, factory load and try not to exceed that expansion. This doesn't help me much as I seldom fire factory ammo, sometimes because it is no longer produced. My actual question is whether the 0.0005" limit applies to each firing or first firings, only. Once a case has been fired three or four times, does a 0.0005" incremental head expansion mean the same thing as it would on first firing? Or, does arriving at 0.0005" growth from new indicate max pressure has finally been reached? I bought a blade mic for taking this measurement.

Randy, it would help if you held up an illustration of a case, marked to show exactly where to take the measurement. Pointing with your finger does not give a clear indication of what you mean. I only use mid-range loads that are listed in the manuals. I do not experiment with hot loads, so I presume I don't need to take these case head measurements.

Since metal expands with heat , do you wait to measue until the case has returmed to room temperature? Or can you measure it wile still "hot"?

I REALLY LOVE THIS MAN .

Thanks for the knowledge! Can this method be applied to semi automatic pistol ammunition?

Randy I have a question. I am getting into reloading for myself. Have had others reload my ammo for me in past. Does this method need to be done on new brass, full length resized brass or will it also work on a fire formed piece of brass if I wish to just neck resize? I plan to do my loads from factory fired brass.

Mr. Selby, is there a commercial micrometer available without the anvil style points, such as the one you use? Is there one you would recommend? Thank you for sharing your knowledge, i always enjoy learning from your videos!

Just a little clarification. Is that half thousandth diameter or a half thousandths radius. About the 6 minute mark I heard this was a radial measurement?

So you’re saying measure in between the labeled case head rim portion and the start of the wall of the case ? Like down in the groove that the extractor falls down in? I’m assuming measure that part because that’s most directly in relation to the primer pocket? And assuming that because you’re using pointed micrometer jaws ? Am I picking up what you’re putting down? I’m fairly new to this and stick to manual load data but would be a handy thing to know in my opinion just to keep yourself safe.

I’m learning my 13 year old nephew to reload.

What is the increase in speed using a 309 jacketed hollow point bullet in a 308 barrel? i am loading a Hornady 30 cal 90 gr XTP #31000, a pistol bullet, with CFE/BLK 21.5 gr in a Schilen 30 tapered match barrel 16" long in a 300 BO No book i am going slow very accurate/small game. I shoot 100 yd target, a target shooter from Boy Scouts who used to hunt. So far have loaded and shot 2300 rds from 90-200 gr with 1 hole loads with Speer 130 gr large hollow point , varmint with CFE/BLK and IMR 4227, need drop tube. Book says 1996@28200 with IMR 4227 about 38.700 I to go a little less ant a 32-40 Everlasting. wasted 30 min not trimming brass loaded some cases shot over a hundred times no need to trim.

On a separate note, what are the draw backs of not sizing fire formed brass? Clean prime load and crimp for hunting not bench rest??

Hi randy I have a question a little off topic for this video but I don't recall if you have a video on annealing or if you anneal you brass your thoughts please.

If I was wanting to try a new powder in a rifle but I cannot find any reference to that powder in that caliber. How would you determine where to start with your powder charge if there's no reference?? I'm thinking lever action 45-70 30/30 calibers, using slower burn rate powder then IMR 4198.

New brass or fire formed brass?

I've looked at a few schematics for 45-70 cases. I don't have one in hand to check yet. The schematics vary. Some say the measurement right above the rim is .498, some say .505 and some say .506. Just for the sake of my question, and i hope it's not too much of a stupid question, but I'm just trying to learn. Let's use the .505 measurement. Would half of a thousandth more case expansion be .510? Sorry I am terrible at this stuff.

What do you think about the 6x45?

I'm not perfectly clear on what you're saying (after listening carefully -- twice). Are you saying that the max pressure load you should use is the one that expands a half of a thousandth -- and that a load that expands more than that is over-pressure? Also, Mitutoyo makes a micrometer graduated to 0.0001 inch, with spherical anvil and spindle. Is that the type of micrometer you are recommending? Thanks.

Hello, when you say the head of the case do you mean the rim?

Randy did you check with gunwerks

Can you recommend a micrometer

Would this be .0005 max of expansion?

If you can't understand this, I think it's safe to say quit reloading and take up golf or knitting.

Sorry I comment so much

Does the micrometer have balls on both ends?

If you don't have small hands you can insert your ring finger in the micrometer. Really

I am a machinist, and we do never advice to hold a micrometer in such way. Why? Heat will transfer to your tool and give you inaccurate reading. You should hold it on the small, insulated area, if you do not have a micrometer holder. And why do Americans call it a micrometer, clearly you measure inches 🙂 I have used this method for as long as I have been reloading.

Can you help me I'm try to put 1000grains of IMR 4198in a 30-06 and I'm having pressure problems:0 I will call it 30-06 Weatherby >JK< Thanks for the great teaching wisdom I really listen to all your vids. Thanks for sharing your time and expertise.