Steel cased ammo won't stretch as brass does. It is not unusual to have steel cased surplus ammo crack. I have had this happen to me hundreds of times with 8mm and 7.62x54r. What is protecting you is a strong chamber and bolt. No cartridge, no matter what it is made of, is strong enough to withstand a cracked receiver or broken bolt. A gunsmith examining your rifle for any such defects and giving you a clean bill of health should assure you of safety with surplus ammo. A blown primer or casehead will give you a puff of hot gas into your face - shooting glasses are in order.
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