Firing Split Case Ammo

[jack]

Anyone here do this? While reloading, once in a while I miss a case being split until I have seated the bullet (357 & 38). I usually just mark it so I'll know it's different, put in the case with other cartridges, and later fire it.

 

[cjs1945]

I have fired a lot of .38 spl. with splits, if it's not split down to the base of bullet and the bullet is tight i let it go, otherwise it get broken down and the case is scrapped. For auto loading pistols if there is a crack it is either scrapped or set aside and is first one fired at the range where it is gently chambered into pistol.

 

[DGW1949]

You guys do realize that your cartridge case is a "pressure gasket", eh?....and realy not much different in theory from the head gasket on your engine.
Yeah, you can drive a car that has a split head gasket, but sooner or later, it's gonna lead to additional damage.....

.....just sayin'.

DGW

 

[powder smoke]

Never ever have I loaded a split case. Inspect cases after cleaning is a smart reloading practice. ps

 

[contender]

I've had the occasional small split case get by me & get shot. It caused me to get better about inspecting my cases a lot more often.
However, we used to have a guy who'd shoot USPSA with us, who regularly shot cases with splits. Seems he'd use nail polish to "seal them up!" Never even considered doing this!

 

[OldePhart]

@contender - about 25 years ago we had a guy in our club that was famous for scrounging brass off the outdoor range regardless of age and condition. A lot of the stuff he collected was really, really, bad. I was present when he trashed his custom 1911 when the round fired ignited the round under it in the magazine (presumably a split case). He was lucky to escape serious injury. The gun wasn't so lucky.

Of course, this is the same idiot that shot a hole through his gas tank when he was unloading in his trunk in the parking lot after a match one day...

Come to think of it...there really are some people who shouldn't own guns... LOL

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

Can't say I've ever fired a split metallic case intentionally, but some have come out of the chamber split. Did I miss them, or did they split on that firing? I dunno. I have had shotshells that split in the box after loading, and fired a few out of curiosity after watching guys on the range use shells actually taped up with Scotch tape! They worked ok as long as they were chambered first--generally they'd split right at the crimp and wouldn't feed from the magazine properly. That is NOT advice they SHOULD be used!

So far, knock wood, I havent seen any bad results when a split came out after firing, but it still seems to me a good QC program in the loading process is mandatory. As already reported, gun damage CAN happen, so why invite it?

Rick C

 

[wolfsong]

I would not knowingly reload nor fire a split casing. What's the point? The potential risk(s) far outweigh any benefits, IMHO...

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

Not in my guns!!!

 

[houdini26]

ae ll ways look at cases, if fine on put to side and pull later. never shoot it.

 

[Johnnu2]

I'm MUCH too anal to use a split case............And they don't come any cheaper than me!!!! J.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I have fired a few with tiny case mouth splits, then recycled them afterwards. If it was anything more than a tiny case mouth split I would break them down and shoot the primer.

 

[Bucks Owin]

Sounds like some should take up sewing instead of handloading... :roll:

INSPECT YOUR CASES BEFORE LOADING!!!

ANY defect makes the case scrap brass...

 

[Cheesewhiz]

Sounds like some should take up sewing instead of handloading... :roll:...

Now that is funny right there.

I catch most of mine in sizing, there is a feel, at least for me. I dump brass if a lot, I load segregated and matched headstamp lots mostly, starts to show signs that they are getting hard.

It works well.

 

[Rclark]

I've shot a few with mouth splits. No biggie. Get tossed after the fact as it isn't conductive to accuracy. The case is just a 'convenience' remember.... Cap and ball days, the powder went directly into the chamber, but then someone figured out making a more convenient way of expediting the process . I toss split cases when I find 'em.

 

[OldePhart]

I've shot a few with mouth splits. No biggie. Get tossed after the fact as it isn't conductive to accuracy. The case is just a 'convenience' remember.... Cap and ball days, the powder went directly into the chamber, but then someone figured out making a more convenient way of expediting the process . I toss split cases when I find 'em.

:shock: I suppose that's mostly true for revolvers; not so true for mag fed semi-autos, though. If you've ever seen night video of a pistol being shot it's not unusual to see some flaming gasses exiting the ejection port. Add flaming gasses and a slide slamming back and forth across the top round in a magazine and it doesn't take a lot to turn a "little" split into, oops, that one fired outside the chamber...

Several years ago I bought a case of Wolf .40 ammo to break in a Glock. I was finding about one or two rounds out of every box of fifty that was split down the side to the point that the base of the bullet was exposed. It looked like what was happening was that the bullet was getting seated at an angle and then forced through the press and it was peeling the side of the case. Weirdest thing I've ever seen...and the last time I've bought Wolf ammo.

 

[Bucks Owin]

Cap & ball days?!?

That's comparing apples and...uh...okra! :lol:

 

[Chief 101]

if somebody is threatening your life use them, not sure I like using defective ammo for recreation...not in my guns anyhows...

 

[jack]

For what it's worth, I did not fire the split case that prompted me to post this question. I would never fire one in a semi-auto pistol. Thought about running the above 38 sp thru one of my 357's just to get rid of it, but decided to not start bad habits. I will improve quality control in reloading and hopefully spot any future split cases before processing them. Thanks for all the replies.................jack

 

[Bucks Owin]

That's the right track...Jack.

10X... 8)

 

[Rclark]

That's comparing apples and...uh...okra! :lol:

Naw, it is actually a fair comparison . Talking to the choir here, but the difference is the black powder gun had a tiny hold in the back for the primer to flash the powder.... and we know what happens to that cap when the load goes off ... a little flash and smoke and a mangled primer cap (I do like shoot'n my Old Army revolvers)! Now, the modern case acts as a nice seal to 'not' get that blow back. That's why when you shoot a split case (or it splits while shooting), you sometimes get particles blown back into your face and the case is harder to eject. Point is, it won't harm the gun at all of course as it is the cylinder walls that always take the pressure, the soft brass just conforms to the walls under the high pressure ... nothing more nothing less. I see the point about the semi-autos though as some have an 'unsupported' area due to the design of the pistol.... Yep, don't fire them! And again... if you find a split case, toss it. Not worth it. Cases are cheap.


Forgot to mention, sometimes I miss a split case when I go to resize the case. Usually I catch it right there, as the resize will 'feel' different than normal. Then I recheck the case again. So I've never actually fired an 'already' split down the side case. Of course when you go to resize the case mouth, the feel there is different too in this case. So you have 'plenty' of chances to 'catch' the split case. A tiny split case mouth has got by me a few times though.

 

[andyo5]

I inspect cases after cleaning and have caught some splits. 357 magnum seem to be the most common. I throw them away.
But the other day I found a loaded round with a split that was very hard to see. I disassembled it and threw the case away.

 

[stevemb]

I'd not intentionally fire a split case. I have a bullet puller for any questionable loads. It is in the realm of possibility that I have fired one. Stay safe folks.