Cracked Necks

[cleardiddion]

So, I opened up 2 cans of Bulgarian 7.62x54R (Heavy ball, I believe made in 1954) and noticed that about a dozen or so had cracked necks. I was wondering if this was something that is normal with surplus ammunition and what causes it.

Thanks in advance!

 

[lencac]

Are these brass or steel cases? My guess is that the case necks were not properly annealed when they were made. Ever notice how brass cases especially military ammo are discolored by the neck portion of the case ... that is a result of the softening process, annealing after manufacture. I would think that steel or bi-metal cases would require the same thing.

 

[cleardiddion]

Oh, they're brass.
And yeah I have noticed some discoloring on necks on occasion though I don't think I paid any attention to it.

 

[Strongbad]

That's not all that uncommon. It's more or less metal fatigue. The brass is under tension, holding the bullet in place, and finally... it just gives up.

 

[lencac]

I would think that a properly annealed case should not do that though but thinking about it I suppose that it is quite possible that the ammo may have been exposed to extremes to heat or cold. In Russia I'm sure in places it can get really really cold or really really hot. This may be an added factor. My suggestion is to inspect each round BEFORE being fired and to err on the side of safety pitch the ones that are split. Or even if you reload pull the bullet to use in the future. If the case is split possible that the contents of the case may have been exposed to moisture or whatever, not saying they are but still possible.

 

[thebaldguy]

A friend of mine showed me some old orange box ammo from Midway he got with an inherited sks; it was brass cased 7.63x39.

Almost every round in the box had a crack in the neck. It got pitched at the range.

 

[Bazooka Joe71]

Ever notice how brass cases especially military ammo are discolored by the neck portion of the case ... that is a result of the softening process, annealing after manufacture

Ha, me learns sumpin nu evraday.

 

[GD]

I doubt any of these surplus rounds discussed are actually brass. The Bulgarian is steel. I would not fire a round with an existing crack. However, once fired, it is not uncommon for the neck to crack. The Mosin receiver, actually, any reciever should be able to handle this. A case has literally no strength to it. A good case should allow some expansion, steel does not expand much and so is prone to cracking.

 

[Threejs]

This is the first time I have heard of the heavy ball having cracks. Do the bullets have yellow tips? If it is lightball I am not surprised. There have been many reports of the bulgarian light ball having cracks, deep folds, and loose bullets. I lost 10% of the only tin of bulgarian light ball I bought. Of the 3 heavy ball tins I have shot, I have had zero problems.

BTW, it is pretty good ammo, once you cull out the bad rounds. Shoots consistently, and is pretty clean.

Oh yeah.. They are brass. And it is corrisive ammunition.

 

[wcwhitey]

No problems on my 1950 Bulgarian Heavy Ball (brass cased). Nice shooting, accurate and clean. Corrosive of course but great stuff for the money. Bill

 

[Mikee Loxxer]

Sometimes you get what you pay for. That is the reason why I no longer have any interest in 50 year old milsurp ammo. You have no idea what kind of quality control they might of had. Additionally brass is known to become brittle after a few decades.

 

[lencac]

Here's a question as a side note for this thread.
Does anybody know what the "hatcher hole" is on a 1903 and what it's purpose is?
tick toc tick toc tick toc tick toc ...... ok, time's up :banghead: