I have several hundred rounds of 1968 headstamped FN ammo. About 1/5 will split longitudinally, halfway between the shoulder and the base. The splits are identical in length, about 1 cm. No evidence of powder degradation. I'm kinda thinking I'd like to reload the survivors. Do you think I'm looking at improper annealing, and would annealing the necks migrate enough heat to prevent further splits?

Do not try to use them. Annealing past the shoulder is not a good thing to do. Trash them. They were not made correctly from the start.

if it were the neck shoulder you'd be golden.
but down on the body?
your screwed.
I'd recover the bullets and move on.

Roger that guys. Thanks.

Could this be a headspace issue with the ammo?

quote:

Originally posted by Wstrnhuntr:
Could this be a headspace issue with the ammo?

I had split necks with an old 93 Mauser that probably needs a barrel. One of these days I'll get it rebarrelled and then maybe know something about it.