9MM factory S&B brass that I found split

[FROGO207]

I was going through some recently acquired range brass and as I was sorting it found an unusually large amount of S&B 9MM that had the casing split almost all the way from the neck to the web. I had about 4K 9MM brass total and in that amount about 40 or so that was bright new S&B brass with the red primer still on it that had split. I had a couple hundred S&B cases total in that pile so not all of them were bad. I am putting this out there for you all as there might have been a bad lot of brass recently so we can be aware to watch for it..

 

[Walkalong]

Did you check it with a magnet. S&B makes some plated steel ammo that looks just like brass. If not, yep, most likely a bad batch of brass.

 

[hdwhit]

FROGO207 wrote:
I had about 4K 9MM brass total and in that amount about 40 or so that was bright new S&B brass with the red primer still on it that had split.

When I reload, the brass is washed in a weak acid solution and then after being resized is tumbled in walnut media. The primer is sealed with fingernail polish. I normally use black for cosmetic reasons, but if someone else was doing the same thing but using red, it would be difficult to tell the fired reloaded brass from factory loads after their first firing.

I mention this because the shine of the case and the presence of primer seal does not rule out the possibility that those split cases were reloaded well above maximum and suffered the consequences.

 

[Rule3]

Did you check it with a magnet. S&B makes some plated steel ammo that looks just like brass. If not, yep, most likely a bad batch of brass.

First thing that I thought of also.

 

[higgite]

I mention this because the shine of the case and the presence of primer seal does not rule out the possibility that those split cases were reloaded well above maximum and suffered the consequences.

Also doesn't rule out the possibility that the S&B cases that didn't split may be on the verge of doing so.

 

[RainDodger]

You also don't know what kind of gun fired that cartridge, although it should be a minor point. Never know though. I have thousands and thousands of S&B brass and it has been as good as any other for me. Let us know if you learn anything more about it.

 

[2bfree]

I thought S&B stopped using the red sealer some years ago, I could be wrong, but I do know that all I have seen the last few years has not had it.

 

[kingmt]

Some chemicals will cause this if brass has been exposed.

 

[FROGO207]

I thought about it as well and I have some factory S&B 45 ACP that have that exact tint clear red primer sealer covering the whole primer area. None of the other cases had that color primer sealer on them in the whole pile I sorted from that location. Also I found no other split 9MM brass in that pile either. Could just be old stock as well. Just checked and it is not magnetic either. FWIW I have never had problems with S&B brass in any flavor in the past that was any different than other brands so I was putting it out there as a heads up for the forum. If I have problems with the remainder of that brass when I use it I will come back and update the post.

 

[grogetr]

The only brass I ever find split is Aquila.

 

[Mizar]

S&B does not make, or use steel cases for their commercial ammo. Furthermore, I have yet to see a brass plated steel case - only lacquered, or copper plated. I believe that S&B stopped using red sealant on primers at least some 10 years ago.

 

[Decoy80]

If you ever weigh different cases from different manufacturers S&B are not the heaviest. I may be wrong but I think the weight indicates thicker tubing. I don't have a tubing micrometer to check that so it could be the heavier cases are just thicker on the base. S&B are not my favorite ones but I don't think I've ever seen the same thing the OP is describing on any of the S&B cases I've fired.

 

[kingmt]

S&B does not make, or use steel cases for their commercial ammo. Furthermore, I have yet to see a brass plated steel case - only lacquered, or copper plated.

This would be incorrect.

I've never seen a radio signal but I believe they are there. However I have seen & use S&B brass plated steel cases. They are actually pretty good (for one load at least). I can feel when they make it to my sizing die however since it's already there I just go ahead & load it. I catch it coming out & it goes to the shoot & scoot pile.

 

[Mizar]

Well, I stand corrected in this case! Thank you for the info.

 

[Walkalong]

I've got one on a magnet at home. Now, what the brass looking plating is might be in question, but it isn't lacquer or poly, and doesn't look like copper. It looks exactly like brass.What exact formulation would be a good question.

 

[ATLDave]

I would only add that a case splitting from the mouth is the brass equivalent of dying peacefully in one's bed of old age. If you shoot brass to failure, that is the kind of failure you want to have. It's generally safe and non-harmful to the gun. Unlike, say, a case head rupture. Or a work-hardened loss of neck tension leading to setback and a pressure spike. When I finally get a case to split, I feel a sense of satisfaction that I extracted the full life from that piece of brass!