So I'mm getting split case necks on the first firing of a batch of 270wsm brass. Load is the same below max load of 4350 I've been using for years. No flattened primers, now sticky extraction, just small vertical holes int he case neck where it meets the shoulder. Any ideas on why? Could ti be a pressure sign?

Has it happened before with other brass? All things being equal (ie prior loads vs current loads) I'd say it might be a bad batch of brass.

is it nickel plated?

Nope. Plain, fresh out of the bag Winchester brass. I don't mess with nickle plate anymore.

quote:

Originally posted by craigster:
Has it happened before with other brass? All things being equal (ie prior loads vs previous loads) I'd say it might be a bad batch of brass.

I usually start to see split case necks at the 6th or 7th reloading which I take as a sign the throw the batch away and start again.

I would anneal the cases.

Von Gruff.

I would send it back to the maker with a few cases showing the problems and the load you used...it sounds like a bad batch of brass to me IF the load is within SAAMI specs. I've had bad batches of brass now and then. Usually the maker WANTS to check out any strange things going on in a batch...for a lot of reasons.

Same thing with bullets, powder and primers...things can go wrong during the processing and components go through the process like water through a firehose.

I would send it back.

Luck

quote:

Originally posted by FOOBAR:
I would send it back to the maker with a few cases showing the problems and the load you used...it sounds like a bad batch of brass to me IF the load is within SAAMI specs. I've had bad batches of brass now and then. Usually the maker WANTS to check out any strange things going on in a batch...for a lot of reasons.

Same thing with bullets, powder and primers...things can go wrong during the processing and components go through the process like water through a firehose.

I would send it back.

Luck

Me too, but I would call or e-mail their customer service department first to let them know it is coming. I seem to get better service if I have the name of someone there to follow up with.

Once in a while, if you talk to a live human, you will also get someone who will even offer to have the company pay your mail-back expense....not often, but once in a while.

You might not eve have to send them back. Just talk to a human and perhaps e-mail them a couple of pix.

I am having the same problem w/ new Winchester 22/250 brass. My solution was to buy a brass annealer. I am awaiting a Tempilstick so I can determine the correct temperature.

Annealing the brass will fix this problem. I have got brittle, work hardened brass out ot the package. I once had a bag of 444 brass split before I got around to shooting it; after reloading, it just split while it was in the ammo box. There are lots of ways to do this. My favorite is the small propane torch used to solder copper pipe. I work in a darkened room so I can see the case mouth turn a dull red and then drop the case into water. I use a bamboo skewer inserted into the flash hole to turn the case in the flame.

While annealing MAY fix the case neck problem (if properly done), correctly made .270 brass should not requiring annealing or any other heat-treating for the first few times you use it.

I'd still send it back and get what you paid for....properly made new brass. If the necks aren't properly annealed by the factory, then the case heads may not be properly tempered either, and that could turn out to be dangerous. It only takes one case head split to make a real mess out of a rifle or its shooter.

As Foobar and Canuck have stated, sending it back is the best option. The manufacturer does NOT want a batch of brass out there that is going to get someone hurt or otherwise be a liability. I have not had to send brass back, but have sent ammo back to winchester and they were great about replaceing it.

new brass can have excessive headspace. When it was made the shoulder gets set back to much. When the cartridge headspace is over .010" or more, this can leave the area of your splits unsupported by the chamber. When fire forming the body of the brass streches, not this time. Soft brass will stretch better

On its way back to Winchester.