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Posted: 8/15/2009 3:25:10 PM EDT
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I was at the range the other day shooting some reloads when this case split occurred. Fortunately, no harm was done. The rear piece of the shell extracted and the front half partially extracted, jamming the next round that was trying to feed in. Otherwise the gun fired normally.
These loads used LC brass, 25 grains of H335 and a 55gr FMJ bullet. Recent chronograph tests gave about 2900 FPS out of a 16" bbl. I suspect my brass has been reloaded to many times and the case became fatigued. Any other issues that could cause this to happen? I will definitely be keeping a closer watch on the age of my brass from now on. Edit: Links Removed Thanks, Chris |
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I figured out how to add the image to the post...
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gKnJRBqTNXg/Soc8R9fKNCI/AAAAAAAAA4M/xk4afoymDJM/s800/556%20Case%20Split_003.JPG http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gKnJRBqTNXg/Soc8PM07l-I/AAAAAAAAA4E/dPMveobuv5U/s800/556%20Case%20Split_001.JPG |
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Quoted:
How many times have these cases been reloaded? You should know; high pressure bottleneck cases should be tracked as to the number of times they've been fired. How much were you resizing these cases? Minimal, or to fit a fixed drop in gage? +1 That's a case head separation, assuming your head space and chamber are correct. Usually associated with too many reloads. With a really strong light (like the sun) try looking inside the cases for a groove. Also a ring will appear around the outside of the case. I only get about five or six loadings before I start to seen signs of work hardening. A bolt gun neck sized only I get many more than that. 458 |
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Quoted:
That case seperated much to high to be classified as a case head seperation....... Something more is involved with that case. My .02 That's where an AR 15 separates the case, different from a bolt rifle. The Garand also separates about the same height, but the M1a does it like a bolt rifle, down at the web. I think the reason the M1A doesn't come apart higher up is the taper of the case. 'Borg |
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Quoted:
How many times have these cases been reloaded? You should know; high pressure bottleneck cases should be tracked as to the number of times they've been fired. How much were you resizing these cases? Minimal, or to fit a fixed drop in gage? Thanks for the replies. The case was only separated where clearly seen in the picture. As for the number of reloads, I haven't been good about keeping an exact tally but I'd guess about 5 reloads. From now on I'll be tracking the age of all my brass. I was using a head-space gauge (not a drop in one) to set my resize based off of a fired case (backed off a few thousands from a fired case). It was more than minimal though to get smooth feeding in through the action. So I understand that my resizing is putting more work hardening on the case than a simple neck sizing. Thanks for the help. |
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