Split Case

[oltpdicm]

While sorting brass from my last range trip I found a split case. Approximately 200 rounds shot and only one split case. All indications seem to show that it did come from my gun. I do not recall any strange sounds and there was no gun damage. Is gun damage common from a split and is it normally noticed while shooting?

Im a bit nervous as I have only been loading for two years. This is my first split case. I have stuck with this load for awhile now (600+ rounds). Im shooting a gen 4 Glock 22. My load is twice fired Speer Brass(Bulge Busted), CCI small pistol primer, 4.4gr HP38 with a 180gr Hornady HAP loaded to 1.128. I have noticed while loading COL fluctuations from 1.130 to 1.125 is this normal? My accuracy is very good from the load and the cases are not bulging as much as factory loads.

I guess im perplexed as to why this split happened. My load is right in Hodgdons data of 4.1- 5.0. The gun has approximately 1500 rounds on it factory and hand loaded and this is the first issue. Any help or info is appreciated.

 

[Poper]

If you reload long enough, it's gonna happen. If it happens regularly, either you have a bad lot of brass, the brass has been reloaded too many times, or your gun has a problem.
My guess is this one was probably a flawed case. Toss it in the scrap bucket and continue on while paying close attention to every case you touch, every time you touch it.

JMTC.

 

[Havok7416]

I agree, the case was likely worn out. If you start finding a bunch it may be time to throw them all out but I think that would be unlikely. You are well within your powder range so it's not from an overcharge or anything like that.

 

[witchhunter]

That looks like a defective piece of brass to me. Splits usually happen at the mouth from overuse. That split is in the middle of the case, bad brass. If you continue to find splits like that, it may be a bad chamber inn your gun. Have a look.

 

[KingM]

Long: Looks like a mix of a big chamber plus work harden brass. One wont hurt but they can cause flame cutting if it was over & over in the same place.

Short: Toss it & keep loading.

 

[rcmodel]

Bad brass.

A Choot' till they split and then recycle them.

There is no danger in handgun calibers.

See this post about that.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=8824282&postcount=8

rc

 

[jeeptim]

Split cases is part of reloading, we try and avoid it by inspecting cleaning inspecting sorting inspecting sizing inspecting priming inspecting charging inspecting seating and one last inspection as it goes in the box bag or can. Then the joy of shooting and do it all again.
Shoot reload and repeat.

 

[Walkalong]

It happens. No worries. I had a small batch of .45 Colt range brass I was using for testing. Early on one split, but the rest are still fine.

 

[Sam1911]

It happens, no worries at all. You'll get something like 0.1% that split before you lose them.

Heck, I've discovered split cases that made it through my loading process into fired rounds and still didn't cause a problem when shot -- though I don't recommend that.

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

Some time I will have a split on .38 sp. in only 1 reload. These are nickeled Rem. Others will go 20 times or so for PPC. You never know

 

[blarby]

I hate splits- but they are a fact of reloading life.

 

[oltpdicm]

Thanks for all the information. I am very cautious when loading and want to avoid the kaboom.

Is a fluctuation in case overall length like im experiencing normal? With no die adjustment I range from 1.125 to 1.130. The only thing I think of is jacket thickness making it change.

 

[KingM]

Thanks for all the information. I am very cautious when loading and want to avoid the kaboom.

Is a fluctuation in case overall length like im experiencing normal? With no die adjustment I range from 1.125 to 1.130. The only thing I think of is jacket thickness making it change.

Nothing to worry about.

 

[Hondo 60]

This is my first split case.

Had my first YEARS ago.
There's no reason to be nervous.
Some split on the first shooting, rare, but it happens.
Some split after the 20th loading.

It's NOT gonna blow up, so relax & enjoy.

 

[GP100man]

The more I look at the second pic ,the more I wanna ask if it was in full battery ??

But yes splitting is normal for work hardened brass , do you use the "bulge buster" die ??

But even at that 2 firings & a split , I`ll agree maybe a defect INSIDE the case caused the premature failure.

 

[WestKentucky]

Split happens...should be a reloaders bumper sticker.

After a while you learn the sound of a split case going into a pile. I usually find them after depriming when it goes into my bucket bound for the tumbler. It happens sometimes with obvious reason, sometimes no discernible reason at all. Just listen for a plunk when you expect a plink and sort it right there.

Reloaders are typically a bit OCD about things such as this but fact of the matter is that all it does is allow a small amount of pressure to escape. Turns a 38+p into a standard 38. Big deal on that one rare shot...changes POI by about 3 frogs hairs. Reloading a split and shooting it is not too bright but then again it's doing the same, just a little more this time since it's already ruptured. It dirtys up the gun. Again no real loss other than a bit tougher wipedown job.

Now if it starts happening regularly, back off and try new cases or even factory ammo to make sure you don't have a bad chamber. Otherwise keep burning powder.

 

[WestKentucky]

And looking at the pics it looks like a stamping issue known as galling. Likely the extruding punch was off center by a smidge and uneven pressure at case forming caused the galling inside and it expanded until it broke.

 

[Reinz]

It's not a big deal.

Much less than 1%

Not anything YOU did wrong.

 

[kimbernut]

Splits

As most have said splits happen. Just a part of reloading life sometimes first firing sometimes brass will seem to last forever. I have some with the nickel fading to brass that's probably been fired 25-30 times.
On revolvers you will sometimes notice that a piece of brass that doesn't extract easily has split and very rarely you will know that something was different in a shot only to find that the suspect round did in fact split. On semi auto I rarely notice a split until I sort it after tumbling. ( I tumble .380 Auto, 9mm & .38/.357 together then sort)

 

[cfullgraf]

While sorting brass from my last range trip I found a split case.

If you do not experience a split case now and again, you have not reloaded the cases enough.

As already said so many times, one or two split cases once in a while, particularly with cases that have some reloaded on them, is "normal".

Besides at the range, I sometimes find the split cases during the reloading process. They feel different when going through the resizer die. Just cull them and put them in the recycle bin.