Thread: Case separation, rough chamber, brittle cases?

Greetings again,
From the photograph the edge of the breal looks like classic head separation from excess head space. The crack starts from a groove on the inside of the case and progresses to the outside. This usually takes more than one shot, mostly several. For this reason I wonder if you are absolutely sure that the cartridges are not reloads. If they are factory new then the headspace is likely to be grosly excessive or the rifle is not locking up securely. In any case best not fire it until it is sorted.
GPM.

Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings again,
From the photograph the edge of the breal looks like classic head separation from excess head space. The crack starts from a groove on the inside of the case and progresses to the outside. This usually takes more than one shot, mostly several. For this reason I wonder if you are absolutely sure that the cartridges are not reloads. If they are factory new then the headspace is likely to be grosly excessive or the rifle is not locking up securely. In any case best not fire it until it is sorted.
GPM.

All but one of the damaged cases is Belmont ammo, so could well be reloaded. The other case is a PMC, we fired a dozen of them with no cracking or marks showing.