July 4, 2012, 11:12 PM | #1 |
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Hairline splits?
Loaders:
Found my first split case today and tossed it, of course. The split, in the neck of a 223, was very obvious. I've been inspecting my cases closely assuming that splits were small and hard to find. So my questions . . . do hairline or microscopic splits occur? Are most splits pretty obvious? Live well, be safe. Prof Young |
July 4, 2012, 11:20 PM | #2 |
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Due to the pressures involved, I think that if you get a neck split, it's likely going to be noticeable.
It *is* possible to detect imminent head separation (where the rim end of the cartridge separates from the body) by running a sharpened tool down the inside of the case and feeling for a small ridge. This thread details the procedures with pictures. I don't do it yet, because I've got so much .223 brass that I haven't reloaded any particular piece more than once or twice, and I'm using pretty mild loads. If I ever get up to the 4th or 5th loading on a piece, I'll probably start checking them. |
July 5, 2012, 05:49 AM | #3 |
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Most defects are obvious, but all too often they are NOT.
Until you fire it.....
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July 5, 2012, 08:34 AM | #4 |
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I have found some 357 Sig cases that seemed to have a network of fine cracks in the shoulder area. They were nickled cases, so I suspect that they were too hard and had been fired in a chamber that allowed the shoulder to blow forward when fired.
Those cracks were not so obvious that somebody who just puts slightly dirty brass into a progressive wouldn't be able to miss seeing them in the usual powder smudging on a case. But,if you clean your cases and then actually look at them individually, you should be able to reliably notice those cracks with normal eyesight and decent light. SL1 |
July 5, 2012, 09:00 AM | #5 | |
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Quote:
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July 6, 2012, 05:24 AM | #6 |
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three dimensions
I refer specifically to the splits and cracks on the interior walls of a case.
They are virtually impossible to visually capture If not split through those cases normally pass a 'clink vs bad tooth' test.
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July 6, 2012, 07:30 AM | #7 |
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223 case neck cracks
Some cracks in the necks of 223 brass can be very hard to see. Depends on how much pressure/gas vented from the crack. Even harder to see after sizing the brass. Does the gas venting damage the chambers neck area? I dont know, wish i had a bore scope.
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July 6, 2012, 10:06 AM | #8 |
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I don't always tumble the rifle brass, but I do always use OOOO steel wool to clean the neck/shoulder of each case when I'm readying them for the next loading. It only takes a second, and almost every time when there's a case neck split, you can feel it when the steel wool hangs up just a teeny bit in the split. I don't think there's a faster way to find neck splits. And once the brass neck is shiny, the split, which isn't shiny, is easy to see - even if it's very small and in the very early stages of a full fledged split.
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