Years ago I loaded some 7x57 loads for a Ruger #1. The load on the box 42.0 grains of BLC 2 and 120 grain Hornady bullets. Last year I fired 2 and both necks cracked. Any thoughts on why this is happening?

Old brass (20 yrs).
Brass more than a few times reloaded.
Oversized chamber.

I agree with Craigster. Also , if you use any kind of Ammonia in your house(Windex with Ammonia D, etc.), it could be due to Embrittlement. And if your Cases had been shot a few times without Annealing, once they set around they do tend to Harden in their older age.

quote:

Originally posted by Hot Core:
I agree with Craigster. Also , if you use any kind of Ammonia in your house(Windex with Ammonia D, etc.), it could be due to Embrittlement. And if your Cases had been shot a few times without Annealing, once they set around they do tend to Harden in their older age.

Shootem, tossem, get new brass and get on with life!

Craigster may be on to the problem. Oversize chamber. I have 2 7x57s. This Ruger #1 and a Dakota #10 which has a very tight chamber. It is so tight I had to resize new nickel plated brass before it would chamber. If I orginally loaded them for the model 10 then shot them in the #1 they would be loose. They will not fit it the Dakota. I am sure they were orginally fired in the Ruger. No windex or ammonia used. Use to use Midways polish in my tumbler.
I like Hot Cores idea: Shoot them then toss them.

quote:

Originally posted by army aviator:
...I like Hot Cores idea: Shoot them then toss them.

I would spell that "Vapo"(Scout Rifle LOVER)

The time I had problems with split necks I traced to a set of dies that over sized the neck before expanding. Even with a rather tight chamber I had splits after three reloads. Changed dies and problem gone.

Jerry Liles

My 1A has a very large dia. neck. Just got a couple of splits, but brass was reformed EW43 '06 brass that is..68 years old, so can't complain.
C.G.B.

I haven't had a split neck since I went to bushing dies for all of my loading. Sure works the brass a lot less.