Having covered and set aside a loading block of primed 308 cases a few weeks ago, I decided to load them today to complete the loading process. I don't normally leave cases in this condition either on the loading bench or in plastic bags awaiting completion.Today when commencing work on these cases, I removed the paper towel covering them in the loading block and positioned the cases in an area prior to charging them with powder. At this point I noticed one of the cases was darker than the other 49 cases. You can clearly see the affected case below.
What in the world is that I questioned? Investigation revealed a desiccated Lady Bug lying in the bottom of the case. Not a spent or live primer, not another foreign object in the case - a Lady Bug.
I mention this since over the years I have read accounts of aberrant cartridges causing damage to firearms due to excessive pressure. Guesses as to the causative factors usually settle on a double charge or excessive propellant charge in the case. I have long since wondered if something else may be the culprit like a biological cause nesting in the cases if left out on the loading bench. In my shed, the dang Lady Bugs are almost always present and they get everywhere! Those B-52 size flies are present and usually die on the bench behind the cleaning fluid. Wasps and bumble bees have also run me around the shed screaming like a little girl.
I did have a de-capped primer land in a case one time during the loading process so I know it's possible for other foreign material to find its way into a case and alter case volume. I would argue here that a case inspection before charging is always a good suggestion, as is looking into the cases after charging to identify any cases containing a larger charge of propellant. Bottom line here is that stuff, including biologic entities CAN get into your cases, even if covered. Darn bugs!
I would also like to point out that when casting the other day, I got sweaty and almost dripped sweat from my forehead onto the baking sheet I was cutting the sprues onto. I have often wondered if some of the reported steam explosions have been the result of sweat balls on the cut sprues being put back into the melt. BOOM.
Anyway.....watch out for the darn Lady Bugs and spiders getting into your cases.
What have you discovered in your cases?
With rifle in hand, I confidently go forth into the darkness.
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