Brass Split, why?

[NoahFN]

I was shooting some .38 special reloads today, and found that a one of my brass split along the side. I only noticed because it was a slightly more difficult to extract. I didn't notice any more recoil or a louder pop that might have indicated an overcharge.

The load was 4.1 grains of Winchester 231 under a 158 grain LSWC Meister Bullet. Max for the 158 is 4.5 grains according my load data, so it should have been fine, and I've shot a few of these before without problem. I'm not 100% ruling out reloader error, as I'm fairly new to reloading and I've probably only reloaded and fired 1000 rounds of my own work.

Here are some not so great pics of the brass, it is federal headstamped and was purchased by me as once fired brass.

Split(small image)
Split(large image)
Headstamp(small image)
Headstamp(large image)

Just bad brass?
Worn out?
Should I be concerned?

 

[oscar]

I have seen a lot of this in 30 years of shooting 38's and I think it is just an old piece of brass. I did have a box of factory Remington 357's once that split almost every one.

 

[HSMITH]

It happens, I lose one or two 38 cases to splits every thousand rounds. It doesn't seem to matter if the brass has one load on it or 20, the rate of failure seems to be about the same. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[P95Carry]

H explains as I would!!

Odd - I'd load repeatedly my 38 target load cases - consistent and almost whimpy - and yet now and again - yep - a split! No reason I could think of other than just fluke brass failure. Pitch them and carry on!

 

[R.H. Lee]

IIRC, coldworking (sizing) brass makes it brittle. After so many reloadings brass is bound to split. It's why some reloaders anneal casemouths, to keep them pliable for crimping.

Of course I could be completely wrong. It's only been 20+ years since I did any reloading.

 

[frenchwrench]

I just had a .40 case split but I felt it when I seated the bullet (way too soft). Figured this was the fourth reload on this brass, but could be a mix up from range. When I used to reload .38 I would get a case split once in a blue moon. Good reason to look 'em all over after you load a batch.

 

[The Bushmaster]

New brass, old brass. Light loads, heavy loads. For .38 Special it doesn't seem to matter. You will get a split case once in a while. No biggy...

 

[wanderinwalker]

Splits happen. When it happens with my .44, my first clue is a dirtier chamber that doesn't allow a round to seat by gravity alone. In my .223, my first clue I've had some neck splits (not down the length of a case like a revolver, THANK GOD!!) is when I look at my freshly tumbled brass and think "Hmmm... I see daylight through that crack."

Just clean up and carry on, pretty normal stuff if you use brass often enough, IMO.

 

[Rico567]

One split in a lot of cases- I wouldn't worry about it. If you start getting consistent splits, it means, in all likelihood, that the the brass is becoming work-hardened from repeated firings, and therefore is brittle enough to split. At that point you can just shoot them up, obviously discarding the split cases, or you can anneal them....which is an involved process that goes beyond the scope of this thread. Certainly your load is mild and can hardly be a factor.

 

[NoahFN]

Thanks guys. Sounds like this type of split is more common than I thought. I feel better now.