ruptured case?

[richy8357]

i was at the range yesterday and i had a case rupture in my ar-15.  i don't know what would cause this.  the brass was on its second reload and i dont reload them hot.  just wondering if its bad brass or something else.  it was lake city brass.  it did not split the long way but it split into two pieces.  kind of made me nervous, but that was the only set back of the day.  just wondering if anyone has had this happen them?  thanks rich

[Old Syko]

From your brief description I assume you're talking about case head separation?  If this is true you're suffering from a headspace problem, too hot a load, or merely a bad piece of brass.  (unlikely)  Or a slamfire due to a primer not being properly seated?  What was the load and how was it loaded?  (procedure)   Shooting rapid fire or slow fire?  How long have you been loading?

[Graybeard]

Once might just be bad brass and is not necessarily reason to worry. I would however learn how to check for insipient case head separation and do so for awhile just to rule it out. Checking headspace would be a good idea as well but if the check shows no evidence of insipient case head separation and it doesn't recur I'd not worry about it personally.

Lyman load manuals has a really good write up on case head separation and how to check for it. You can use a bent gem clip to reach inside and check. I have a needle I think might be a knitting or darning needle that I use.

[stimpylu32]

ricky

If you only fired 1 round and had this happen then I'd say to look at the headspace , however if you fired 100 rounds and only had 1 case rupture then I'd say a bad peice of brass .

stimpy

[Graybeard]

Since he said the case was on its second reload and it's an AR I have to assume he has fired lots of rounds and since he is just now asking it would seem safe to think it the first time.

I have never worried about one of many as it does happen. It's when it becomes common I worry.

[richy8357]

this is the first time it has ever happened to me in any gun!  i have been reloading for almost twenty years.  it was not the head of the brass but about 3/4 of an inch up from the head.  the round fired and when it ejected it kicked straight down instead of off to the side.  made me a little nervous, but i shot about three hundred rounds after the fact and no other probems.  i just wanted to pick your brains and see if you guys thought what i did.  i figured a bad piece of brass as well.  thanks for your replies and cool forum.  alot of interesting things discussed on here!  thanks again rich