I had a case split today from head to neck after 5 reloadings, is this normal life?

Matthew

Not in my experience - 8 reloadings so far on a bunch of cases and have not had that happen.

Thanks, I had a bunch of bell basic brass that did the same thing 15 years ago or so, just started cracking apart after 3-5 loads and was getting worried that these would do the same thing when this happened. I only have 15 pieces(I guess 14 now) with 5 shots on them and 35 with 4. I was not excited to see the split and think of replacing them all soon.

Matthew

MathewX- there is no neck! Hopefully it didnt split to the belt! Some of my hand turned brass cases lasted 8 reloadings, The Horneber stuff lasts at least 8-10 loadings. Dont know about Jamison, as I dont have any.-Rob

It split from about 1/4" above the belt to the annealed area I called the neck. All I have is Jamison so I will let you know how long the rest lasts.

Matthew

MathewX- Normally Belted cases eventually fail from head seperations around the belt not longitudinal cracks from the belt up. I've had some minor case mouth cracks but nothing like you describe. I have to say I've also never used Jamison brass. Maybe you have some early stuff.-Rob

If I remember correctly, some ammonia-based solvents can weaken brass.

Do you use Sweet's 7.62?

George

I have had brass split lenghthwise on a regular basis in the following circumstances. Number 3 might relate to what George said above.

1) Many many years ago fireforming 219 Zipper to 219 Zipper Improved. This was fairly common calibre in Australia in the mid to late 60s on Martinis. For years there was no problem using Winchester brass and then as we got a new brass batch it would split from the mouth down to the top 2/3rd of the body but the earlier brass was fine. So brass was causing the problem and the splits were always lengthwise.

2) 300 H&H necked to 7mm and fireformed to 7mm STW. Again, split from mouth to a bit below the shoulder. I would assume that different brass would have been OK on the basis of all the 300 Wby made in the early years of that calibre along with the 300 AI and others at the saame time.

3)Years ago we had Australian made factory ammo for the 303/25. Some of was on new local brass and the other was using 303 Mark VII brass that has been fired. These would regularly split from case mouth to well below the shoulder. 303 Mark VIIs were mercury priming. If you had that factory ammo and did not used it for sometime them some of the rounds would develop lengthwise cracks in the neck while sitting in the box.

I do not use Sweets , I only clean brass with a vibratory cleaner and straight walnut shells, no cleaners or polishers of any kind.

I will let you know the life of the rest of it.

Matthew

Matthew- There is something out of whack,
when a belted case splits that far down.
Straight case and chamber could split
for a short area at mouth, when getting old, many
firings, but absolutely shouldn't like that.

Could you send me a split one not sized and
a fired one not sized and a fired one
that you have sized.I'd sure like
to check them. I'll send them back ok.

What powder do you use, and how much.ED

quote:

Originally posted by hubel458:
Matthew- There is something out of whack,
when a belted case splits that far down.
Straight case and chamber could split
for a short area at mouth, when getting old, many
firings, but absolutely shouldn't like that.

Could you send me a split one not sized and
a fired one not sized and a fired one
that you have sized.I'd sure like
to check them. I'll send them back ok.

What powder do you use, and how much.ED

Matthew,

Take Ed up on his offer - nothing like getting facts based upon your actual cases to figure out what is going on. Guess work is just that. Ed will be able to tell if your chamber is oversize or your rezizing die is overworking the brass or if the brass itself is just "not right".

Generous offer - I'd go for it if i were you particularly considering the expense of new brass.

Paul

Matthew,

I have fired hundreds of rounds using the Jamison brass and have never had anything near what you are describing happen. I have reloaded some cases 10+ times that I use around the shop just to make guns go bang. They get a little sticky after awhile, but never split more than 1/16th of an inch. I would think it to be one piece of bad brass if it hasn't happened with any others. What load were you using?

Bitterroot, hopefully that is it. I shoot two loads in it now, 130gr 4064 with 900gr Woodleigh softs or 900gr Barnes banded solids for 1900-1925fps. For plinker loads I use 110gr 4064 with the same bullets or 900gr cast as well for about 1650fps. This case was split after 2 heavy loads and 3 light loads. You can see my heavy loads are not heavy at all.

I will take Ed up in his offer, thanks Ed.

Matthew

MathewX- Do you want a few pieces of Horneber brass? -Rob

Rob, sure, thanks for the offer.
It will be interesting to compare the two. PM sent.

Matthew

Matt

Can I ask what dies you have and how old they are ?

I ran some new brass thru my CH4D dies and they feel like more of a neck sizing die, the case doesn't feel like it's touching the inside of the die anywhere except the neck (Rob...it's like a ghost shoulder). Is this normal ?

Rob / Wayne do you think a slight anneal might help after about 4 or 5 firings.

Hell I now have 75 Rounds, if I fire all of those 8 times that's a lot of headaches

No fired brass yet, gun should be built within the next 6 weeks

regards
Joe aka S&F
Australia

Joe, annealing is a good idea after a few loadings. Just keep the heat within the first inch or so of the case mouth.

I've shot with Rem. brass reloading it 8 times in my 416 Mag. And it still hasn't showed any sights of ware.

I have shot some Horneber brass in my 577 Tyrannosaur more than 20 times with max loads. Annealing after every 3.-4. reloading..

Joe, I am using CH4D dies and I think they are about two years old. I use CH4D for my 577 and when sizing new brass they basically do not touch the die much, but fired brass resizes just like normal.

I should point out that I only use Jamison brass in my 577 and have had no issues.

Matthew