How do you fire form your brass? How many firings were in this case?
I'm curious how you got a case head separation when you said you neck size.
Brass broke in half
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I'm curious how you got a case head separation when you said you neck size.
Dudedog
Contributing Member
One time I used a drill bit that was just a tiny hair bigger than the inside of the case to get out a 9mm that split in half.
It was one of those with the internal ridge, mid power load. Recycle all those turkeys now......
Note-Drill bit, no drill attached, turned with fingers.
It was one of those with the internal ridge, mid power load. Recycle all those turkeys now......
Note-Drill bit, no drill attached, turned with fingers.
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bluetopper
Member
One at a time...I run 223 brass in my 6mm tcu fl sizer, load with a full charge load and shoot it. In the initial sizing the neck is the only thing that comes in contact with the FL die, so I could just neck size in this process too. After first firing I neck size only as these TCU cartridges are bad about sticking in FL sizing dies as all the taper has been taken out of the body.
Firings? Probably four. I don’t keep up with the firings of each individual case. It’s free, plentiful 223 brass ya know.
How or why did it separate?
Your guess is as good as mine.
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jmorris
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Generally you’ll know if a case is stretching because you will be trimming off the “growth”. I assume you are not having to trim with just your neck sizing?
^^^^ This ^^^^
If you are neck sizing, there should be little or nothing to trim. I found this to be true when I got my .22TCM sizing die set properly to stop bumping the shoulder back so much. Factory ammo comes with quite a bit of headspace (for feeding/chambering?). After 2 firings, I have almost nothing to trim on the factory brass. No separations (fingers crossed), and no problems with case "growth."
If you are neck sizing, there should be little or nothing to trim. I found this to be true when I got my .22TCM sizing die set properly to stop bumping the shoulder back so much. Factory ammo comes with quite a bit of headspace (for feeding/chambering?). After 2 firings, I have almost nothing to trim on the factory brass. No separations (fingers crossed), and no problems with case "growth."
Blue68f100
Member
Where are you getting your brass from? If it's been fired in a MG it will have a significant longer length (0.020"+) to start off with. Then you fire forming the brass just stretches the already stressed area more. Do you have to size the brass with a 223R sizing die before sizing to the TCU?
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bluetopper
Member
I got my brass from range pickup off the ground left by others. That's the best kind isn't it?
For a 6 TCU the neck just has to be expanded to .243", that's it. I also have a 7 TCU barrel, .284"
Fireforming with a good stiff load forms the case to the chamber.
I'm chalking it up to brass fatigue and not going to worry about it, I've got two five gallon buckets full of 223 brass. I'll just grab me another one.
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doubleh
Member
First off, I'm glad you got it out without a great deal of trouble. Brass has a much higher coefficient of expansion than steel so cold should help with really stubborn ones.
Yes, and no. Always check range brass cases for signs of an internal rut, and toss any that have it.
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