I was shooting Yugo 53' vintage surplus that I was given (40 rounds) after the purchase. FYI, I properly checked the headspace before firing the weapon (I purchased a Field Gauge).
I'm seeing a small amount of expansion of the brass near the base of the cartridge. I'm assuming the limited amount of expansion I'm seeing is normal and may be due to the surplus ammo. I have a Mosin that exhibits the same thing with surplus ammunition. I have checked the interior of the cases, both by visual inspection (interior) and by the 'paper clip' method, checking for any grooves, cracks, etc. on the interior of the case - I found no issues with any of the 40 rounds I fired. I the primers do not protrude beyond the cartridge face but a few look slightly flattened. No cratering.
I am seeing around .004" of growth of the cartridge at the base. Is this normal? The growth is the same no matter where the measurement is taken. Again - there are no signs of tearing/cracking/etc.
The rifle shot like a dream - nice groups @50 yards for surplus 53' ammo. Time to get some decent stuff... Also, the recoil was just fine. I find it more comfortable to shoot than my Mosin by far.
See pictures below and let me know what you think (Obsessive, maybe???
)Unfired (empty but primered) brass on bottom.
Unfired brass on right.
Unfired brass.
Fired brass.
Cut. Note that there is some chamfering on the outside in a few spots (evident at left bottom side of the bottom cartridge) because my dremel wheel slipped. It is not thinner in this area.
