case head separation

[desperation]

I was going through load development on my 303 brit

150 Gr SP BT with Varget and I was not seeing any pressure signs (too me anyways but I am new - will try and post some pics). Anyways after the 4th round I had a complete head separation. looked through barrel and bullet cleared but case is still in chamber. What is the best way to get it out?

 

[David K]

.. A couple of options; Often a sharp rap on the Butt, rifle held vertical will allow the case to fall free. Get one of the "split case removers" as issued to the Military ( Brownell's perhaps? Or Numrich ? ) It MAY be possible to feed a live round in, and the bullet MAY jam into the split case enough, to allow extraction. A bent coat hanger or similar, is another option, BUT be very careful not to score the chamber ! It's a common problem, and the bane of Reloaders! .... David K

 

[trevj]

Start with a chamber brush or a cleaning brush on a cleaning rod, and push it into the case from the back, then pull to remove. Use a brush that has some life left in it.

If that does not grab it, start looking for a case extractor or some Cerrosafe low temp casting alloy.

A tap on an extension can be used IF you both take care not to cut through the case and have the correct size available.

Try the brush, work from there.

Full length sizing the cases? Try neck sizing only. A Lee-Enfield? Not really known for having tight chambers or for being all that rigid an action.

Cheers
Trev

 

[sisiphunter]

I had the same issue a month ago in my enfield no1mk3. I tried the cleaning brush, but just would not come out. Finally resorted to a few drops of kroil between the brass and chamber walls, let it sit for a couple hours to help loosen things up then a tap, put it in in order to grab the shoulder and only turn a very small amount, you dont want the tap cutting through the brass and into the chamber walls. Then I drove out from he muzzle with the tap stuck in there. A few light taps with a rubber mallet and out she came.

I have gone to dedicating certain brass to each of my enfields (I have 3 now). I neck size only. The one I had stuck had about 5 or 6 loading behind it, though they were cast loads and really lite.

Best of luck. Matt

 

[desperation]

thanks for the info - put my head into gear and ended up using a tap. Had an old case with a split neck so cut off the head about where it broke so I could figure out what size tap would be safe. Cafefully worked tap in a couple of turns and used my cleaning rod with a gentle tap and it fell out. Looks like the case wall was extremely thin compared to the one I cut open. Now I still do not see pressure signs on any of the preceding rounds. Would you (more experienced reloaders out there) continue with the next load higher. The case separation was with a load .3 grains lower than max and happened during the first round of test fires in teh OWC method.

thanks for any input

 

[David K]

. Simply put, the design of the Lee Enfield causes the case life, as far as reloading goes to be short, with an element of uncertainty attached. If at all possible, invest in "stuck case extractor".... Neck sizing helps, but does NOT fully solve the problem ! When reloading check the cases very carefully for cracks/separation ! .... David K

 

[Splatter]

... Looks like the case wall was extremely thin compared to the one I cut open.

Of course the case wall was thinner than the one you cut open... it was so thin it split.... If you cut the separated case when it was still new,it would probably have appeared thicker then.

Now I still do not see pressure signs on any of the preceding rounds. Would you (more experienced reloaders out there) continue with the next load higher. The case separation was with a load .3 grains lower than max and happened during the first round of test fires in teh OWC method.

OWC Method?!?
Personally, I'd scrap the whole batch of brass you were using, unless the separated case had some sort of glaring defect that isn't present in the other cases. Because in all likelihood most of the other pieces of brass are in the same internal condition as the one that caused the original post.

So... if you continue to use the same batch of brass, you'll likely get to become a real pro at removing broken cases. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, just go into it with your eyes open.

 

[DirtyOldSix]

. Simply put, the design of the Lee Enfield causes the case life, as far as reloading goes to be short, with an element of uncertainty attached. If at all possible, invest in "stuck case extractor".... Neck sizing helps, but does NOT fully solve the problem ! When reloading check the cases very carefully for cracks/separation ! .... David K

I did all that and seperation still ocuured, until I switched to a higher number bolt-head. My bolt now closes with a little bit of resistance but my cases last for +-10 reloads.