.44 Special Cases Splitting

[StrikeEagle]

I've been reloading .44 Spl, and shooting them in my Colt SAA. My load is the usual 5.3 of 231 behind most any bullet, in this case Lee 240 Grn TL bullets, and Lyman 240 Grn Keith bullets.

The brass is Remington... from 246 Grn LRN factory rounds.

I've reloaded this brass from 1-5 times... always the same 5.3 of 231. The brass has NEVER been hot-rodded.

But I've been getting splits. The type that runs lengthwise on the case. What the heck is going on... why is it doing this?

I don't like Remington brass I guess. Just ordered a batch of Starline from Midway. But why? I must know!!

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

Remington brass is usually thinner than other brass especially nickle plated and the first to have mouth splits from my commercial reloading experience.

You will not go wrong with Starline.

 

[mc223]

My 38 Super, cracks cases in the middle lengthwise. Like little lightning bolts.
It is caused by reaching the end of the life of the case after being sized and fired in a rather generous chamber. It does happen most often in nickle plated cases, but I have seen it in some high mileage brass.

 

[EddieCoyle]

I sometimes get splits in Remington nickel plated brass after the first reloading. I now save it for when I'm going to an event where I can't retrieve my brass.

 

[Shoney]

Just how much bell are you using?

If you over bell, it quickly fatigues the brass. Use the least bell you can, that will allow seating the bullet without scratching/shaving of the sides.

 

[StrikeEagle]

Just how much bell are you using?

Very little... just enough to be able to start the bullet. And very little crimp. But the splits are not happening at the case mouth, but in the body of the case itself, lengthwise, between the base and the mouth.

I've had 3 splits in fewer than 100 shots. That's extraordinary to me from a high-quality revolver using light loads from newish, namebrand brass.

Thank you for all the answers!

I knew that Remington brass didn't have a great reputation, but this is the first scrape I've had with it myself. And yes, Starline is a fine product. I bought 500 cases 12 or so years ago and they've been perfect. I still have them all. (The load there is 6.0 grn Red Dot and a 250ish cast bullet)

Thanks again!