.204 Split necks

Bass Man · March 2, 2008, 08:46 PM

I reloaded some .204 ruger and I lost 5 cases to split necks. I lost a couple without lubing the necks (neck sizing) and then lost 3 more after I started lubing the necks. It was only the third time I had sized them. Is this common in this caliber?

4sarge · March 2, 2008, 08:55 PM

Not .204 brass but I can relate an experience. I had a new batch of Winchester 22-250 brass that I sized then loaded at 10% under max then split the necks after firing. Tried a different powder with a light load and split those too. Contacted winchester, and they replaced the brass after I pulled the bullets and primers. Winchester didn't give me any verification that the brass was bad.

WIN71 · March 2, 2008, 10:00 PM

I don't think I've heard of that problem in any caliber in particular. I'm on the third reloading, neck sizing only on a batch of 204's consisting of 50 cases and have yet to have a split neck. I've used them to work up loads and have used several powders, bullets and primers.

somerled · March 3, 2008, 12:43 AM

It sounds as if you have some cases that weren't properly annealed during manufacture. You can anneal them yourself. I've posted a link that might help.

http://www.6mmbr.com/annealing.html

Ifishsum · March 5, 2008, 02:04 AM

What brand of brass? I've loaded quite a few .204s and the only neck splitting problem I had was with Winchester brass. I think some of the early manufacture cases were not annealed properly.

Sevens · March 5, 2008, 08:46 AM

I can't help with the caliber, but I'd agree that it sounds like they missed the annealing process. What I did want to say was that Winchester will stand behind their components-- I sent back a couple pieces of new brass that were ill-formed from a bag of new brass and though they never offered any explanation, they were very quick to send me a $10 certificate toward any Winchester branded ammo.

Bass Man · March 6, 2008, 09:40 PM

Yes it is Winchester that I have. It is about 2 years old. When I got it there wasn't much choice.

March 2, 2008, 08:46 PM	#1
Bass Man Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Missouri Posts: 92	.204 Split necks I reloaded some .204 ruger and I lost 5 cases to split necks. I lost a couple without lubing the necks (neck sizing) and then lost 3 more after I started lubing the necks. It was only the third time I had sized them. Is this common in this caliber?

March 2, 2008, 10:00 PM	#3
WIN71 Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2005 Posts: 729	Dilemma I don't think I've heard of that problem in any caliber in particular. I'm on the third reloading, neck sizing only on a batch of 204's consisting of 50 cases and have yet to have a split neck. I've used them to work up loads and have used several powders, bullets and primers. __________________ Air goes in and out. Blood goes 'round and 'round. Any variation on this is a very bad thing. 개인 정보를 보호하십시요

March 5, 2008, 08:46 AM	#6
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,758	I can't help with the caliber, but I'd agree that it sounds like they missed the annealing process. What I did want to say was that Winchester will stand behind their components-- I sent back a couple pieces of new brass that were ill-formed from a bag of new brass and though they never offered any explanation, they were very quick to send me a $10 certificate toward any Winchester branded ammo. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

March 2, 2008, 08:55 PM	#2
4sarge Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2008 Location: south of Chicago's shadow! Posts: 204	Not .204 brass but I can relate an experience. I had a new batch of Winchester 22-250 brass that I sized then loaded at 10% under max then split the necks after firing. Tried a different powder with a light load and split those too. Contacted winchester, and they replaced the brass after I pulled the bullets and primers. Winchester didn't give me any verification that the brass was bad.

March 3, 2008, 12:43 AM	#4
somerled Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2005 Location: eastern Kansas Posts: 603	It sounds as if you have some cases that weren't properly annealed during manufacture. You can anneal them yourself. I've posted a link that might help. http://www.6mmbr.com/annealing.html

March 5, 2008, 02:04 AM	#5
Ifishsum Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,033	What brand of brass? I've loaded quite a few .204s and the only neck splitting problem I had was with Winchester brass. I think some of the early manufacture cases were not annealed properly.

March 6, 2008, 09:40 PM	#7
Bass Man Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Missouri Posts: 92	Yes it is Winchester that I have. It is about 2 years old. When I got it there wasn't much choice.