Crap- very old reloads

[a j cave]

Was at the range today, I had some 222 reloads from a long time ago. They were 50 gr bullets over 19.5 of 4198. A case seperated at the head & I had to use a rod & brush to remove. I looked at the remaining shells. They all looked ok. After a couple more shots another seperation. Even though the shells looked good, twas not so. Have about 35 more of that load. Pull or dump I guess. (any one want a smoken deel on some reloades 222? ).Continued with some new reloads & all was well.

 

[.Ben]

how long ago?

 

[LUTNIT]

Age shouldn't have effected the brass unless you use mercuric primers or store them in ammonia.

Do you know how many times the cases where fired prior to those reloads?

 

[zuke]

I wouldn't pull and dump, I'd pull and reuse it all.
You made them so you should be OK with reusing the powder and bullet.

 

[dead meat]

Ya there must be something else wrong with those cases other than reloaded for some time. I have some 06 reloads from the 60`s and they work just fine. Still a good plan to pull the bullets if that batch is separating.

 

[Ganderite]

Don't argue with the ammo. It is telling you something. Was it over-sized? maybe too much headspace in the case?

 

[a j cave]

It's from the 70s, and I don't know how many times it was reloaded. It does not owe me anything. It is easier to dump it all then to spend time pulling. Some of the brass in that batch is old Dominion!! For the price of brass why bother. About 70 gr of old powder, 35 bullets that I can't match with new (good for gophers though). If it was new components it might be worth pulling but not when you can't match. JMHO. Free for pick up if you want Gone soon.

 

[CZ_Brno]

I'd save the components and ditch the brass.

Here's a good article to read.

http://riflemansjournal.########.ca/2010/05/reloading-case-head-separations.html

 

[H4831]

It has been said on these threads sooooo many times.
Case head seperation is caused by a headspace problem, and is not because of too much pressure.