Single six splitting cases

38'55

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I hope someone can help me with this. I have a 3 screw single six convertable that splits cases in its 22lr cylinder. I have measured all the chambers in the cylinder with a cheap set of digital calipers and they are all the same(it seems). I have tried different brands of ammo from cheap bulk Federal to CCI stingers and it will intermittantly split them all. Anyone have any ideas as to what the problem might be? I may try marking the cylinders with a grease pencil to see if this helps me to see where the problem lies.Thanks for the help.
 
Can you confirm the cylinder you have is actually one chambered for 22 LR? The only time I've seen that same thing happen is in one my friend has. The problem was he actually had a 22 rimfire magnum cylinder in it. I have an older single six, a flat loading gate model, but the only cylinder I have is one for 22 LR.

RugerSingleSix.jpg
 
Maybe you have an old model 22 mag cylinder in the gun. They were fluted.

When you measured the chambers, were they closer to .225" or .240"? The latter being a 22 mag cylinder of course.

Oops, just read your recent post. I was delayed going to the safe to get a few rounds, then dig up my micrometer....disregard.

I did Google "single six splitting cases" and it seems you aren't the only one with this problem...sounds like a sloppy chamber in the cylinder.
 
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No a magnum round won't fit. Tried that first.

In line with what you said initially said, did you try marking the chambers to see if it's a specific chamber or chambers that the splitting is occurring in?

A side issue but with all the meat there is in a Ruger cylinder, it's hard to imagine there is any 22 LR ammo on the planet potent enough to cause cylinder damage. I could see it perhaps in a cylinder of a centerfire where some super hot loads may have been used but anything similar happening in 22 LR in a Ruger is hard to imagine. I've had a few single six revolvers and I've never experienced anything along that line.:confused: Get a gunsmith to check it out??
 
As was mentioned earlier... the early 3 screw .22LR/.22 Mag cylinders were both fluted. I have a couple of them and I have to pay attention that I don't put the wrong cylinder in. Ruger went to the unfluted Mag cylinder to reduce the confusion problem however if you've checked with a .22 Mag shell, then obviously it must be something else. I've been using various Single Six's for the past 40+ years including the early models without an issue with the shells. Good luck solving your mystery.
 
How old was the ammunition? Is it new, or some old stuff that might not have been stored properly. If the brass is weakened, then it is more likely to split.
 
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