Case head separation - first time/w-photo-MORE PHOTOS

Kelly Timoffee

Kelly Timoffee

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First time this has happened.

Did a ladder test for a .270 Win , had 5 shots loaded of 50gr as a start point(W760 + 130gr bullet) and did my ladder test(50gr is what I was already using as a safe load) , only used one at 50gr as I was on paper to start off with.Did my ladder, stopped when signs of pressure began (54gr), slightly tight bolt lift , an ejector mark and slight primer blow by.

Said I would finish off my 50gr loads . shot one, no problem, shot again, and this is what I got...

Federal case.Was second firing.



Stains on case are unknown.
 
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Could be a fluke but more likely you have a fairly loose chamber and are full length resizing. This can happen even with relatively mild loads. To prevent this, only size cases until the shoulder is pushed back a thousandth of an inch or two. This can be measured with a stoney point head and shoulders gauge ( now sold by Hornady) and a good caliper. Measure a few fired cases to determine the length to the datum line of the shoulder, calculate the average length and set your die to push back only the minimum 0.001 - 0.002". No more problems and longer case life too!.
 
Could just be federal brass. I had a batch of 50 2 tines fired full length resised 308 brass that my m305 was consistantly ripping the case head right off. Probably %80 of it did that and the rest of my federal brass went to the dump. And before you ask yes i checked headspace and its fine.
 
A water drop on the case is insignificant.
The stain is likely from a bit of gas trying to escape through the brake in the case.
The case was resized too much. As has been pointed out, the stretch and the break comes from resizing the case to a shorter length than the chamber.
Federal brass for a great many years was as good as any other brass, but there is Federal brass out there now that will crack instead of stretch, so use care in sizing them.
 
Yotarunner said:
Could just be federal brass. I had a batch of 50 2 tines fired full length resised 308 brass that my m305 was consistantly ripping the case head right off. Probably %80 of it did that and the rest of my federal brass went to the dump. And before you ask yes i checked headspace and its fine.
Click to expand...

What was the rifle headspace, and what did your die size the brass to? That's what you need to be aware of.
 
Collint2005 said:
What's the paper clip test?
Click to expand...

Straighten a paperclip and then bend an end at 90º, the bent side long enough to fit the case mouth
Drag the bent end inside of the case to feel for any thinning near the case head.
Such thinning is a sign of imminent case separation.
 
Some of the new Win brass isn't much better........threw out some 22-250 only loaded once and am running Lapua now....problem solved...........Harold
 
I would have to say you may have bumped the shoulder to far back and caused an excessive headspace issue . Die set just a tad to deep into the press .
 
I am thinking it was not a sizing problem as I am extremely diligent and load for many chamberings.I check my brass for chambering as I size it and don't over do it and only neck size for many.

I am ASSUMING it is twice fired, as I bought some once fired brass some time ago.

I will be checking all the Federal brass I have for this rifle.

P.S. - I checked bolt face immediately after , no signs of any defects.

I opened up another case from the 50gr load as well as a 54gr load.I will have pictures up once out of the SS pins.

P.S.S. - Have found some cases that I have not fired but have been fired and with a pick I am feeling some anomalies.
 
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I trust Kelly's loading abilities.

Bad brass is likely the culprit but water on a case placed into a chamber produces large pressure spikes. It may not have been water but the stain on the case looks liquid in nature and my cases shot in the rain during a competition had strange marks on them and blew primer pockets out on two times fired brass. YMMV
 
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