12 Out of 20 Split Cases

[345 DeSoto]

Is Varget an extruded (stick) powder? The reason I ask is because I aquired 150 rounds of 22-250, loaded with 35grns of Varget(?), 50grn hornady V-Max bullets, in new, unfired, Winchester brass. Out of 20 rounds fired, 12 cases wound up with split necks...some down into the shoulder. The primers were also FLATTENED (as in filled the pocket), unlike my 38grn H380/55grn V-Max rounds that barely deform the primer. I pulled one of the bullets and weighed the charge and it was 35grns of a stick powder (Varget?), and was in fact new unfired brass. Could this indicate that the cases had been loaded with Magnum primers? To be safe I will pull the bullets, deprime them, dispose of the powder/primers, and save the new Winchester cases and V-Max bullets? Any ideas on the split necks? And yes, I DO know better than to fire someone elses reloads ...

 

[rcmodel]

Split necks has nothing at all to do with your primers, powder, or loads.

You just got hold of a bad batch of new Winchester brass.

Split necks indicate improper annealing of new brass, or work hardened from loading too many times without annealing.

There is no other cause.

rcmodel

 

[jhansman]

I've seen factory brass (Federal) split after the initial firing. Given the stresses rifle brass is subjected to, I'm amazed it lasts as long as it does. Just had some Winchester .223 split at the neck after about a dozen reloads.

 

[feets]

Looks like a safe load according to Hodgdon.
50 GR. SIE SP Hodgdon Varget .224" 2.350" 34.5 3596 43,600 CUP 37.5 3834 50,400 CUP

I'm inclined to go with poor preparation or bad cases.

However, the flattened primers bother me. I only see that in HOT loads or 460 factory loads.

 

[345 DeSoto]

Loaded up the 8 remaining unsplit cases (38g H380/55g V-Max) and fired them. No split necks, no flat primers. I shall defer to your assesment of bad brass...which is a shame, since I mainly bought the rounds for the new Winchester brass. However, I'm still going to pull the bullets and can the primers and powder...the really flattened primers still bothers me...

 

[steve4102]

These guys are correct, split necks are more a sine of bad brass than pressure. Just another reason to stay away from Winchester Brass. It has gone so far down hill over the last few years it is now at the bottom of the bottom.