[Auburn1992]

Well I picked up some ammo for my Mosin yesterday. It was expensive for some cheap stuff but I needed it for the range trip tomorrow; and besides that there was absolutely NO other 7.62x54 at the gunshow! It was like $15 for 50 rounds, so I got 100 of them for the range. Next time I guess I'll order online.

While I was handling the bag, I heard loose powder sifting inside it. I opened the bag up and removed the powder, found the bullet, and the case. As I was looking I noticed that the case had a split neck on it.

What would be the dangers of shooting a cartridge with a split neck?

Reccomend any good websites for x54 ammo?

Thanks.

[marktx]

I had a similar problem, wouldn't shoot it myself as I can imagine the crack could lead to a full on case rupture.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=363735

[Funderb]

i've had a full case rupture, since it headspaces on the rim everything was okay.

I wouldn't shoot a round with a split neck for fear of missing powder/squib fire.

[jws527]

I wouldn't be comfortable shooting a cartridge with a split neck, either. I found a few in a can of Bulgarian heavy ball I bought last month, but not many - maybe 4 or 5 out of a case of 250. Just check them as you're loading them.

I have to imagine that actually firing it would probably rupture the entire case, which is at least going to make a mess inside the chamber.

Dents, on the other hand - never a problem.

[RichardInFlorida]

Hey Auburn, War Eagle!

You mentioned picking up some ammo. I've picked up some tins from Aim Surplus (http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/7_62x54R.html) in the past and found their service and shipping times to be very good.

Right now they have spam cans of 70's Polish surplus (147 gr/silver tip) at $79.95/440 rounds and current manufacture Prvi (brass case/boxer/non-corrosive) at $11.95/20 (reduced prices if you buy in bulk).

They also have some Bulgarian stuff from the 40's and 50's pretty cheap, but I don't know how many neck splits you might find in that lot.

[Jeff F]

Split necks are no big deal. I reload for my .303's until either a split case neck or a case head separation occurs then I chuck the brass into the recycle bucket. I would not purposely shoot ammo that I knew had split necks.

[SimpleIsGood229]

www.ammunitiontogo.com is a good place to start.

[Rmac58]

You may want to try gun-deals.com

[Deer Hunter]

Watch Bulgarian ammo. 1 out of 10 packages seem to be in bad shape. 5 or more split necks.

I just pull the bullets and dump the powder.

[JTW Jr.]

one of those chances you take with some of the old milsurp stuff.
This one happened today , 8mm Turkish I believe.
Spooked the daylights out me , I still got my hit on the steel at 848 yards though. :)
This happened after I had fired 150 rounds thru my 38 Turk , I fired about 3 more and called it a day , dang that thing needs a recoil pad.

http://members.cox.net/subguns-lv/8mm%20case%20rupture.jpg

[Mk VII]

if it says * 11 54 then I've had the same experience. Yugoslavian stuff.