Hornady 454 Casull - Split Brass

[RDA 226sig]

I purchased some Hornady factory loads for my 454 Casull with the intention of saving the brass for reloading. They were a couple bucks cheaper so I figured what the heck. On the initial firing one of the cases split and another split when it was fed into the sizing die. Is this typical of Hornady 454 brass?

 

[Wil Terry]

Of the thousands of 454casull rounds i've shot, and seen shot by others, the only

Split cases came from pistols with oversized chambers. NONE were ever from the chambers of a FREEDOM ARMS 454CASULL pistol, all the split brass was from TAURUS and RUGER 454 guns.

 

[cochise9424221]

What Wil said. Looks like you have at least one oversize chamber in your gun. That doesnt work well with a high presure round like the casull. The Freedom Arms guns are worth the bucks, best built gun I own and I have nice guns

 

[RDA 226sig]

I wouldn't be so quick to dog my Ruger, it has fired other 454 rounds without any problems and no signs of an oversized chamber. The round in question was very difficult to extract which would indicate high pressure as would the splitting case.

 

[cochise9424221]

I would worry if the hot round if thats what it was bulged the chamber

 

[RDA 226sig]

Easy enough to check the chambers. I didn't notice that the loads were hotter than any other 454 rounds I have shot, they all jump when you pull the trigger. It suprised me to see that kind of failure from a factory load.

 

[MCMXI]

The cases in your photo aren't even the same length ... are they from the same lot? I would contact Hornady ... maybe they'll send you some more ammunition or at the very least explain what the problem might be.

By the way, excellent photos!!

 

[RDA 226sig]

Both are from the same box of Hornady factory loads. 240 grn XTP/MAG listed as 1900 fps muzzle velocity. The wall thickness of the Hornady brass is thinner than Magtech and Winchester and the base diameter is smaller by several thousandths. It may be a good idea to contact Hornady and ask a few questions.

 

[50 Shooter]

I wouldn't worry about it, the .454 Casull is a high pressure cartridge and getting splits can and will happen. I've only had one split in my Raging Bull and it was a Winchester piece that was fresh from the factory.

If it continually happens I would mark the cylinder where you pull the split piece out of. Then you can send it back to the factory and have them check it.

 

[kludge]

Both are from the same box of Hornady factory loads. 240 grn XTP/MAG listed as 1900 fps muzzle velocity.

I bought a box of those for deer season. Fired about half of them in a 9.5" SRH. No problems.

 

[rockhound758]

Looks to me like the "taller" case is actually just a smidge closer to the camera rather than actually being a different size, but I could be wrong.

I was thinking about a .454 down the road, sounds like Freedom Arms is a solid way to go (although I do love my Ruger .44s!).

Take care all...cold one here in Ohio tonight!

 

[cochise9424221]

I have never used any brass except Freedom Arms in my freedom Arms gun. I have never had a split either factory or reloads. Some of the brass is on its 8th reloading too.

 

[cochise9424221]

double post

 

[cochise9424221]

double post

 

[RDA 226sig]

Hornady Customer Service

I contacted Hornady regarding this issue and they were very interested in taking a look at the split cases and requested that I send them to the Hornady tech department. It took a little over a month but they not only took the time to write a letter explaining their findings but also replaced the brass that I returned with new ammunition. According to the Hornady technician the measurements of the brass suggest that my gun has chambers that are toward the upper end of the sammi specifications and the Hornady Brass is near the lower end of the specification. He also indicated that it is not unusual for Hornady 460 and 454 brass to crack under the conditions described above.

Hornady provided customer service that exceeded my expectations.

 

[MCMXI]

I would contact Hornady ... maybe they'll send you some more ammunition or at the very least explain what the problem might be.

They must have read my post!

So what do you plan on doing about your revolver and the "oversized" chambers?

 

[RDA 226sig]

Chambers

As stated in the previous post, the chambers are within specification but are at the upper end and nothing needs to be done. The Hornady factory ammunition is on the lower end of the specification and actually has a smaller diameter than my reloaded ammunition so if the cases survive the initial firing then they don't have to work as hard on subsequent firings. Magtech factory loads are a much better fit for my chambers and appear to perform better when fired.