Just picked up some 7.62x54 and found a split neck...

[Auburn1992]

Well I picked up some ammo for my Mosin yesterday. It was expensive for some cheap stuff but I needed it for the range trip tomorrow; and besides that there was absolutely NO other 7.62x54 at the gunshow! It was like $15 for 50 rounds, so I got 100 of them for the range. Next time I guess I'll order online.

While I was handling the bag, I heard loose powder sifting inside it. I opened the bag up and removed the powder, found the bullet, and the case. As I was looking I noticed that the case had a split neck on it.

What would be the dangers of shooting a cartridge with a split neck?

Reccomend any good websites for x54 ammo?

Thanks.

 

[marktx]

I had a similar problem, wouldn't shoot it myself as I can imagine the crack could lead to a full on case rupture.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=363735

 

[Funderb]

i've had a full case rupture, since it headspaces on the rim everything was okay.

I wouldn't shoot a round with a split neck for fear of missing powder/squib fire.

 

[jws527]

I wouldn't be comfortable shooting a cartridge with a split neck, either. I found a few in a can of Bulgarian heavy ball I bought last month, but not many - maybe 4 or 5 out of a case of 250. Just check them as you're loading them.

I have to imagine that actually firing it would probably rupture the entire case, which is at least going to make a mess inside the chamber.

Dents, on the other hand - never a problem.

 

[RichardInFlorida]

Hey Auburn, War Eagle!

You mentioned picking up some ammo. I've picked up some tins from Aim Surplus in the past and found their service and shipping times to be very good.

Right now they have spam cans of 70's Polish surplus (147 gr/silver tip) at $79.95/440 rounds and current manufacture Prvi (brass case/boxer/non-corrosive) at $11.95/20 (reduced prices if you buy in bulk).

They also have some Bulgarian stuff from the 40's and 50's pretty cheap, but I don't know how many neck splits you might find in that lot.

 

[Jeff F]

Split necks are no big deal. I reload for my .303's until either a split case neck or a case head separation occurs then I chuck the brass into the recycle bucket. I would not purposely shoot ammo that I knew had split necks.

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

www.ammunitiontogo.com is a good place to start.

 

[Rmac58]

You may want to try gun-deals.com

 

[Deer Hunter]

Watch Bulgarian ammo. 1 out of 10 packages seem to be in bad shape. 5 or more split necks.

I just pull the bullets and dump the powder.

 

[JTW Jr.]

one of those chances you take with some of the old milsurp stuff.
This one happened today , 8mm Turkish I believe.
Spooked the daylights out me , I still got my hit on the steel at 848 yards though.
This happened after I had fired 150 rounds thru my 38 Turk , I fired about 3 more and called it a day , dang that thing needs a recoil pad.

 

[Mk VII]

if it says * 11 54 then I've had the same experience. Yugoslavian stuff.