Was out with the 460 today. First cylinder of 5 had 3 partially split cases and one completely apart.....came out in 2 pieces. They split all the way around like a head separation but is 5/8 inch up from the rim. This is Hornady factory 200 gr bullets. I have fired about 100 rounds of this ammo with no problems. I inspected all the other cases fired earlier and found no sign on any others. I had cleaned the gun just prior to the split cases. After the splits, I cleaned again.....fired several more with no problems. Would oil or solvent residue cause this...maybe i missed some on cleaning?
460 smith case separation
- Thread starter 25tikka
- Start date
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Head separation on straight wall cases, especially handgun, is a pretty rare occurrence. I can't recall it ever happening to me. I'm assuming this isn't the first time you've fired this handgun so I was wondering if you've ever experienced head separation in it previously? How many times had the cases in question been reloaded?
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
I'm very much tempted to believe it was a case problem as spooksar has mentioned, if it was just one case but it almost seems like too much of a coincidence when it is three cases in one cylinder full. That would almost indicate to me to be a problem with the gun, but then you said there weren't any more instances so I don't know what to suggest. I guess it is possible it 'could' be a problem with that particular lot of ammo. Again, I've never had one failure along that line in the years reloading for and shooting handgun cartridges, never mind three in one cylinder full.
The only case of that happening I've ever seen was quite some time ago and it involved some of the old ballon head cases.
The only case of that happening I've ever seen was quite some time ago and it involved some of the old ballon head cases.
It's not head separation though, it occurs much higher on the case. Happened in my 686 last year, cases looked like this:
At the time I was told I might be a chamber spec issue, but it hasn't really happened since, wrote it off as bum cases. 25tikka, you say you want this gun to be 100% for wilderness carry, but in my case at least, the problem didn't really interfere with proper function. It still fired reliably when the problem occurred.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
It's not head separation though, it occurs much higher on the case. Happened in my 686 last year, cases looked like this:
At the time I was told I might be a chamber spec issue, but it hasn't really happened since, wrote it off as bum cases. 25tikka, you say you want this gun to be 100% for wilderness carry, but in my case at least, the problem didn't really interfere with proper function. It still fired reliably when the problem occurred.
I learn something every day, but I've never seen or experienced it myself, again with the exceptation of the old ballon head cases. Even then, the split was in the area of the base, not mid way up the case. You guys are probably correct then in suggesting it may be just a particular batch of brass/ammo.
Mine look just like those.....same mid case split. The only issue in reliability is the fact that the top portion of the case stayed in the cylinder. As far as a quick reload in a wilderness survival situation....I guess that would be quite rare. Still sucks
BattleRife
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- of No Fixed Address
Rare, but there seems to be a mild rash of them. Cerdan was first last year, then another guy reported it happening about 2 months ago, now this one. I wonder if somebody fiddled with the process or specification at the manufacturers?
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Considering the number of incidents, I guess it's a possibility.
