Mosin split steel case. Headspace or oversized chamber?

[StrelokM38]

Decided to dig out a mosin I've had in my safe for years to do some shooting. Shoots like a dream for what the rifle is, but I did pick out a rather drastically split case out of the pile when I was cleaning up my shooting station. Will include a photo later.

The case was split about 2/3rds down the case from the shoulder towards the rim. Noticed a lot of residue around the neck itself as well. None of the other cases showed any cracks but the shoulders were quite round looking. I've read that mosins generally have a very generous chamber but I want to be sure before sending more rounds through it.

As far as the ammo goes. It's chinese surplus steel cased 7.62x54R.

Any input would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[Suther]

I'm thinking the easiest way to know for sure if it's the chamber will be to cast the chamber with cerrosafe and measure things.

 

[Far North]

As far as the ammo goes. It's chinese surplus steel cased 7.62x54R.

I had the same issue and asked here years ago. Apparently the steel in the chinese 7.62x54R is quite brittle and split cases using that ammo are pretty common.
I would be concerned if you were getting split cases with other surplus or brass rounds

 

[bearhunter]

Far North is telling you a truth.

Not all Chinese steel case ammo will have this issue, but some lots more than others. Especially some of the much older stuff.

Just like some of the very old brass cases, with to much zinc in their metallurgy, splitting the case necks while in storage.

I've had Chinese and even some Soviet steel cases with split necks, still in the box.

 

[Deathrawt]

I had S&B steel cased ammo do the same thing in an svt40
I think it’s just the cheap crap steel cases and not an issue with the rifle