Question about splits in handgun brass

[.38 Special]

I've fired quite a few similar rounds with no issues. I would expect that bullet pull, and thus velocity, might be affected, but I think you'd need a chronograph to tell. Offhand at typical handgun ranges, I could see no difference, and I certainly never noticed any damage to the guns.

Having said that, I wouldn't generally do it these days, unless I had to. Most of the time, when I see splits in several cases from a batch, that tells me their lifespan is up and it's time to scrap the lot. I'll shoot the rest of the undamaged batch and then start fresh.

 

[Jim Watson]

I don't consider a short crack in the crimp to be a hazard. I bet a lot of them sneak by anyhow.
I have not seen one extend far down into the sidewall upon firing, usually just a quarter inch to show up in the next loading session.

I will catch a case body split in the press or upon final inspection and I will break it down for the components.

 

[Walkalong]

Agreed, and splits happen, sometimes with fairly new cases, discard and carry on.

 

[lightman]

I would have shot those and not considered it to be a risk. If I noticed them before loading them I would have culled them.

 

[Walkalong]

Split cases are usually seen before loading if we inspect cases every time we handle them, or when loading as they generally feel funny sizing or expanding.

 

[dartor]

I have about 1000 pieces of 357 mag brass well over 20 years old. They have been reloaded many times, I stopped counting. I deprime with a universal decapping die. Toss 'em in the tumbler with walnut media and NuFinish. Size and expand the cases and then inspect each for cracks in the mouths. Found 19 on the last batch, tossed them in the scrap bucket. Then I prime on an RCBS bench primer and load 'em up. I still have over 3000 pieces once fired in reserve. I used to sort brass for an indoor range. At 62, I'm not too concerned about running out of 357 in my lifetime.

 

[Catpop]

Find Split after loading- shoot it if it will chamber (a lot of times they won’t)

Find split after shooting- hard extraction, scrap it

Find Split before loading- scrap it

Discard 49 cases because one split- H No,
Mama didn’t raise no crazy youngun

jmho

 

[Riomouse911]

Split cases are usually seen before loading if we inspect cases every time we handle them, or when loading as they generally feel funny sizing or expanding.

Thats how I found this one on Sunday, first split case I have had in a while. It must’ve had a small crack at the mouth to start and failed completely when resizing.



Stay safe.

 

[Swampman]

A .44 Magnum with a case neck split is just a .44 Special that needs a little extra trimming...

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

A .44 Magnum with a case neck split is just a .44 Special that needs a little extra trimming...

It’s a good thought but it won’t work for me. Seeing that “wrong” head stamp every time I opened the box would trigger my OCD and give me a case of the shakes.

 

[wcwhitey]

We have discussed case trimming in straight wall handgun rounds a few times and it is something not everyone does. I have noticed over the years that if I inspect cases that are new to me (range pickup or factory new) trim them if needed and give a chamfer they do last longer. Crimp and expander severity matters too. If I continually over work the brass problems arise sooner. I have shot worse than that and then disposed of the brass. Breaking them down is really the right way to go though. A good habit!