My first time experience with Incipient Separation

Boltcarrier

Boltcarrier

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I reloaded some brass given to me by a friend and I examined each case carefully before charging them.

so I went to the range and fired with my No4Mk1 sporter and when I tried to eject the case, I found only the base of the case and the body was stuck in the chamber.

After calling a few gunsmiths and they didn't feel like it's worth their while to do a small job like this, I guess if I were to paid $100 - $150 to do this job, they would change their mind, but I was just too cheap to pay for a small job that I felt maybe $50 should do.

This is apprenticeship in the raw, so I tried some idiotic ways and failed and now regretted it.

but anxiously I found on YoutTube some really good advice, using Cerrosafe to dislodge the case.

so happily I did manage to dislodge the case by following the instructions on YouTube

then I realized that there's a nick in the chamber created when I tried to chisel the case out

the question I have now is whether I can still fire the gun safely.

 
That's not an incipient separation - that's a separation...
Incipient is when the case shows a line where it is about to separate.
Usually the front portion of the case isn't stuck all that tightly in the chamber.
There are handloading procedures that reduce the chances of case separations in Lee Enfield rifles.
 
Glad to see the cerrosafe worked for you, I was surprised at how little heat was required to melt it. The separated case sure came out easy once you filled it full, I thought you had knocked the cerrosafe cast out of the case!
 
tiriaq said:
That's not an incipient separation - that's a separation...
Incipient is when the case shows a line where it is about to separate.
Usually the front portion of the case isn't stuck all that tightly in the chamber.
There are handloading procedures that reduce the chances of case separations in Lee Enfield rifles.
Click to expand...

thank you for the definition

do you know where to find the handloading procedures that reduce the chances of case separations
 
marshall said:
So did you happen to keep track of the time you spent messing with this , after you did not want to pay a gunsmith?
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in hind site,,, so i spent $30 for the cerrosafe, but it's reusable. about two days of anxiety and frustration tearing my hair out with the stuck case, maybe it's better if i get a professional to do it..

but i learned something along the way and the exhilarating feeling of vanquishing over an inert subject...feel like Don Quixote at times against the windmill
 
Boltcarrier said:
in hind site,,, so i spent $30 for the cerrosafe, but it's reusable. about two days of anxiety and frustration tearing my hair out with the stuck case, maybe it's better if i get a professional to do it..

but i learned something along the way and the exhilarating feeling of vanquishing over an inert subject...feel like Don Quixote at times against the windmill
Click to expand...

I think you did a great job and taught yourself a new skill. IMO it is worth the hassle. I applaud your determination. I would have likely done the same.
 
Boltcarrier said:
thank you for the definition

do you know where to find the handloading procedures that reduce the chances of case separations
Click to expand...

Has been covered several times on CGN - if you hand loaded that cartridge that separated, you set the shoulder back further than your chamber is cut for. The brass was likely previously weakened on it's very first firing if it did not have o-ring or other technique to hold the case head against the bolt face. And then using full length re-size to put it back to factory size, rather than to match the chamber. Loading for 303 British, especially ex-military chambers, sorta different than any other common cartridge. It should actually be identical process, except consequences of not matching your loads to your chamber are usually more pronounced with 303 British ex-military chambers.
 
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Boltcarrier said:
in hind site,,, so i spent $30 for the cerrosafe, but it's reusable. about two days of anxiety and frustration tearing my hair out with the stuck case, maybe it's better if i get a professional to do it..

but i learned something along the way and the exhilarating feeling of vanquishing over an inert subject...feel like Don Quixote at times against the windmill
Click to expand...


Now go out and buy a broken case extractor for 303 British. The one I bought a few years ago was about $10. Always have it with you when shooting a 303 British - pull out broken cases right there - no fuss, no muss, no dings in the chamber...


Edit post - I lied. Just checked. I bought the 303 British broken case extractor here on CGN in 2014, for $23 mailed to me - so no doubt $13 to $15 in postage costs...
 
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This is a 303 British broken case extractor - for when your brass case head has come off - this slides into the remaining part of the case - grabbed at rear end by the extractor on your bolt - push forward - little shoulders at front grab the front of the case mouth - as you open and pull the bolt back, it pulls out the broken off case. I was told by very old guy who had used these, for "real", that it was kinda handy if you were being shot at and wanted to return fire, but suffered a case head separation at that moment...

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I've had a few separate over the years. They're not stuck very tight as discussed.

The first time it happened, I was at the range. A guy came over took a look , grabbed a cleaning rod and an old 30 cal bristle brush out of his truck. He bent the brush in half and then pushed it into the casing and pulled it out. The bristles get angled back and they bite into the brass pretty good. That's been my go to since then.
 
I’ve let it all cool down and stuck a bic pen in and pulled the busted case out. It happens with hot loads and several times fired brass.
 
Wendell said:
If I recall correctly, there's a whole chapter on that in the Sierra manual.
Click to expand...

Discussion with pictures starts on page 146 of Sierra Edition V, 5th printing. Is not uniquely a 303 British cartridge issue. Can happen any time there is a gross discrepancy in size / dimensions between the Full Length Sizing die and the rifle's chamber.
 
Potashminer said:
This is a 303 British broken case extractor - for when your brass case head has come off - this slides into the remaining part of the case - grabbed at rear end by the extractor on your bolt - push forward - little shoulders at front grab the front of the case mouth - as you open and pull the bolt back, it pulls out the broken off case. I was told by very old guy who had used these, for "real", that it was kinda handy if you were being shot at and wanted to return fire, but suffered a case head separation at that moment...

View attachment 468426
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I didn't know such a thing existed.

I am going to order one from Marstar. $20 plus tax and shipping


https://marstar.ca/product/303-broken-shell-extractor/

thanks for the info
 
Mr.Crumbz said:
Glad to see the cerrosafe worked for you, I was surprised at how little heat was required to melt it. The separated case sure came out easy once you filled it full, I thought you had knocked the cerrosafe cast out of the case!
Click to expand...


hey, yea, how are you doing.. i was too surprised how easy the cerrosafe melted.. and it's so easy to work with. i was apprehensive at the beginning worrying it might take awhile to melt it and i might pour it in wrong and ended up having to bring it to a gun smith after all. but i was pleasantly surprised, i always enjoy DIY with a red neck penchant ie cheapest possible. haha..

have a great day..
 
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