Winchester split brass

[Steve H]

I'm helping a friend with a "new to him" 30-06. He bought 3 boxes of Winchester 150 grain power point ammo to try the gun and to reload the brass. This ammo came from Midway. We put 7 rounds through the gun and noticed that one piece of brass "split" about 1" long. Also notice some of the primers in each box were very dark colored.

Lot # stamped inside the box flap is 99KK51

Does the split or the primers make sense to anybody?

 

[JellyJar]

You need to try a different brand/batch of ammo. It could be that during the manufacturing process the brass cases you used were not properly "annealed" and are too hard and brittle from being work hardened.

Many years ago I had the same problem with a box of 38spl 148 gr target wadcutter cartridges. It was just a bad batch from the factory.

 

[CLP]

You need to try a different brand/batch of ammo. It could be that during the manufacturing process the brass cases you used were not properly "annealed" and are too hard and brittle from being work hardened.

Many years ago I had the same problem with a box of 38spl 148 gr target wadcutter cartridges. It was just a bad batch from the factory.

+1, but definitely make sure you're wearing eye protection, and if brass from a different brand of ammo looks suspect then the rifle should be examined by a gunsmith.

may even be more appropriate to have a gunsmith check it out first, or compare a cerrosafe casting to saami specs. bit more pressure/gas with a 30-06 vs those 148gr wadcutters, and they're being shot at lot closer to your face. supposing it's the rifle and not the brass, what if your next ammo selection has thinner/weaker brass and gives more easily?