I never saw that coming

[jeff270]

Last week I was having a dig through my collection of wildcats and weird cartriges and I broke one.
A vintage .333 OKH .
Any ideas on how the case got so brittle?

 

[In The Black]

Looking at the first photo, it looks corroded?

ITB

 

[jeff270]

For sure on the bullet but not on the case.

 

[In The Black]

So it split right where the bullet ended in the brass?

ITB

 

[Baribal]

Some corrosive primers does that. I have several old cartridges so corroded internally that the necks break. US Cartridges Co. is a notorious one.
Too bad for yours.

 

[In The Black]

This was the direction that I was leaning..

ITB

Some corrosive primers does that. I have several old cartridges so corroded internally that the necks break. US Cartridges Co. is a notorious one.
Too bad for yours.

 

[Dunk]

Interesting. I had some 219 Donaldson Wasps that did the same thing. I thought it was from over worked brass but there was corrosion there.

 

[sunray]

Old age. The copper leaches out of the alloy. That green powder is copper. Well, mostly copper.
Corrosive primers won't likely do it unless the cartridge has been fired with 'em. BP can though. So can cordite, as I recall.

 

[jeff270]

Good thing I wasn't going to shoot it.
I'm not a dedicated cartridge collector but 'd sure like to find a replacement.
.333 bullets are an oddity these days ,I may have to settle for a .338-06

 

[Ian Robertson]

Mercury in old primers. I bet it is a reload of some sort. I have some DC&C 45 Colt that if you try to size the rim will rip off very easily.

 

[Dean2]

I know this is an old thread you started long ago but since your mail box is full and not accepting PMs this was the only way I could think of to contact you. Please PM me when you have cleared out some space and I will send you and offer on your 7x57.

 

[jeff270]

Thanks I didn't realize it was full.