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Hoping you guys can help me out... I noticed an odd burn pattern on a recently fired .270 casing. Not sure if it indicates a poorly seated bullet, or just something I have never noticed before. It appears more pronounced in person but you can clearly see that the burned area lowers into almost a half circle pattern and encompasses about 1/4 - 1/3 of the radius of the neck. Any ideas? Thanks

How did that bullet fire? and did it hit the target?

It did not hit the target (coyote) and I can't tell you where it went, as I did not see it impact with the tall grass. Now that I'm thinking about it... it felt very light in recoil and wasn't as loud as it should have been. (shot w/o ear plugs)

Light recoil might indicate a low powder charge, which in turn could have prevented the case from expanding fully due to pressure thus giving you the soot markings. All supposition at this point, of course.

Yea, light powder or maybe it got wet. I'm no expert though.

Talked to a coworker (turns out he's a reloader) He says it looks like it was overcrimped (can't see it in the pic but visible to the eye in person) which would allow the burnback, down the neck. I also looked at the rest of the box at lunch time- all of them appear to be crimped excessively. He also thought the light charge was possible based on sound and felt recoil.

Thanks for the replies.

were these factory loads or reloads?

If factory, contact the manufacturer... if reloads, I wouldn't use any more from that source.

Winchester super X.

I would strongly suggest you contact Winchester. They have had other QC problems reported recently, but like all other manufacturers they can have a glitch occassionally. I'd bet they will want the remaining ammunition (if any) for testing and will send you a complete replacement.

mr surveyor wrote:I would strongly suggest you contact Winchester. They have had other QC problems reported recently, but like all other manufacturers they can have a glitch occassionally. I'd bet they will want the remaining ammunition (if any) for testing and will send you a complete replacement.