Split cases?
- Thread starter Veovius
- Start date
Split cases
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NO,. IT IS NOT NORMAL.
However, it does happen. Cartridges fired in older rifles with oversize or neglected chambers can cause this. If there is a defect in the chamber, a split may happen. If it happens consistently with one rifle, then the rifle barrel / chamber should be suspect.
An overly long firing pin, or a sharp pointed firing pin can also cause a case rupture. Does the split originate where the firing pin hit the rim?
A common cause of this type of case failure is the case itself. While care is taken in manufacturing cartridges, it sometimes happens that the metal itself is at fault. A small foreign slag inclusion can weaken the case metal, or a small sharp piece of metal on a die can cause a small groove in the metal case. ( .22 cases are punched out of a metal strip, then formed to size. )
Even a production run of .22s can be faulty. Some brands (particularly cheap foreign ones) are not the same quality as domestic ones.
So, you have to look at a couple of things.
1. Does it happen with ALL BRANDS of ammo? If so, have a gunsmith check over the rifle. Make sure you take case samples with you.
2. Does it happen with only one Brand. If so, change to another one.
3. Does it happen frequently. If so, do NOT fire the rifle, take it to a gunsmith.
4. Has it happened only once or twice. If so, it is probably a faulty cartridge case itself, and not the rifle.
IT IS ALWAYS WISE TO WEAR SAFETY GLASSES WHEN FIRING A RIFLE.
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2.
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NO,. IT IS NOT NORMAL.
However, it does happen. Cartridges fired in older rifles with oversize or neglected chambers can cause this. If there is a defect in the chamber, a split may happen. If it happens consistently with one rifle, then the rifle barrel / chamber should be suspect.
An overly long firing pin, or a sharp pointed firing pin can also cause a case rupture. Does the split originate where the firing pin hit the rim?
A common cause of this type of case failure is the case itself. While care is taken in manufacturing cartridges, it sometimes happens that the metal itself is at fault. A small foreign slag inclusion can weaken the case metal, or a small sharp piece of metal on a die can cause a small groove in the metal case. ( .22 cases are punched out of a metal strip, then formed to size. )
Even a production run of .22s can be faulty. Some brands (particularly cheap foreign ones) are not the same quality as domestic ones.
So, you have to look at a couple of things.
1. Does it happen with ALL BRANDS of ammo? If so, have a gunsmith check over the rifle. Make sure you take case samples with you.
2. Does it happen with only one Brand. If so, change to another one.
3. Does it happen frequently. If so, do NOT fire the rifle, take it to a gunsmith.
4. Has it happened only once or twice. If so, it is probably a faulty cartridge case itself, and not the rifle.
IT IS ALWAYS WISE TO WEAR SAFETY GLASSES WHEN FIRING A RIFLE.
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2.
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Also seen it happen with older ammunition (Eley stuff from the 70's)... lost an extractor in the process.
Of if you chamber/firing pin hole are really dirty the gun might slam fire before the cartridge is fully inserted in the chamber...
If it only happened once, and it's a brass you found on the range floor (could be someone else) I wouldn't loose too much sleep over it.
Of if you chamber/firing pin hole are really dirty the gun might slam fire before the cartridge is fully inserted in the chamber...
If it only happened once, and it's a brass you found on the range floor (could be someone else) I wouldn't loose too much sleep over it.
One thing I forgot to mention was that I was having issues with my cartridge stop (a metal wire that sticks into the feed), so i was playing with that by bending it and making it longer. I could see the wire scraping the shell especially when forced along it. Could that cause a weak spot?
Lots of good info posted above. Is your Browning an older model? I think the older models could shoot both LR and shorts. In the good'ol days most people used shorts, and there might be a carbone ring buil-up in the chamber at the short case length. It can cause a LR case not to seat completley in the chamber. Give the chamber a good cleaning out. Other than that, take note that high volicity ammo can seperate your extractor from the breach bolt if the gun is fired without the case fully seated in the chamber.
It was made in late 60's or early 70's, I can't remember. I don't think my dad used shorts with it, as when I found it in the storage it was with 10 boxes of CIL Imperial Target 22LR 
Unfortunately the ammo was at least 10 years old and shot like crap....
Unfortunately the ammo was at least 10 years old and shot like crap....
