Help! .303 case head seperation

[mrussel]

If you don't want to buy a broken case extractor, you can make a tool out of a steel rod to get it out.

 What I've done in the past is grind a 45 degree angle on the end of a long 1/8" diameter soft steel rod. Carefully dig the point under the broken shell, and force the rod in until it collapses the shell enough so that it falls out.

 Be careful not to damage the chamber, and go buy yourself a longer bolt head that headspaces the cartrige correctly.

I think a brass rid might be better. Less chance of damage. Or aluminum.

[1911crazy]

This raises a good suggestion to purchase the broken case extractors for all my surplus calibers.  I like having the tools inhouse when there needed its less down time.

[mauserand9mm]

While a stuck broken case is not a significant issue, the extractors are so cheap. I mean even if I never used mine it's no big deal.

[Merle]

Shot some reloads today... and got the dreaded case head separation in my Lee/Enfield today.
How do I get the remainder of the casing out of the chamber?

In order to prevent this problem I carefully adjust the sizer until it just barely kisses the shoulder, but does NOT set it back. I also have a sizer set up four each of my L-E's, as they are all slightly different.

Lee sizers aren't that expensive, and they sure prevent a lot of grief!!!

    

[budman46]

i think the .303 brit cartridge is the poster child for case-head separation...the brits didn't factor reloading into their war plans, it seems.

i learned at the t/c contender school of reloading...treat all cartridges like rimless whether they have a rim or not, so...i expand the necks of bottle-neck brass a few calibers, then size until they just chamber. after firing, i segregate for a particular firearm. after the initial firing, my brass is neck-sized, ensuring long-life.

budman

ignorance is fixable, stupidity is forever...

 

[Merle]

i think the .303 brit cartridge is the poster child for case-head separation...the brits didn't factor reloading into their war plans, it seems.

i learned at the t/c contender school of reloading...treat all cartridges like rimless whether they have a rim or not, so...i expand the necks of bottle-neck brass a few calibers, then size until they just chamber. after firing, i segregate for a particular firearm. after the initial firing, my brass is neck-sized, ensuring long-life.

budman

ignorance is fixable, stupidity is forever...

 

Yep, that's pretty much the way I see it too.
Never had more "fun" than a 35 Rem in a TC carbine.
Factory loads  were 50/50 if they would fire.
I had to use virgin brass & seat the bullets VERY shallow to get a crush fit for the first firing.
After the shoulder was formed in the correct location, treat as above.

    

[Curtis]

i learned at the t/c contender school of reloading...

Budman, that school will teach you lots!!  At a gun show I bought a bargain 7-30 Waters barrel that was rechambered from 7mm TCU.  Trouble is they cut the chamber .020" too deep (hence the bargain price, now doubt).  I had case head separations until the "little light" came on and I started sizing to fit my overlong chamber.  I guess I just have an accidental wildcat of sorts.

Curtis

[Brithunter]

i think the .303 brit cartridge is the poster child for case-head separation...the brits didn't factor reloading into their war plans, it seems.

Well your right int hat the war Department never consider reloading the .303 for a few reason I imagine for one they never trusted the "native" forces not after the Indian Mutiny and they didn't trust the averag "squaddie" to do it correctly either. Back in the empire days the army had officers stationed to oversee production espeicailly in far flung parts like India and Africa again it's this distrust thing. It wa sone of these officers who developed the Dum Dum bullet at the arsenal at Dum Dum in India to deal with the druggie Pathan tribes mena dn the Devishes. The std 215 grin RN FMJ didn't drop them in their hyped up drugged up state but puttign the jackets on for the rear leaving the lead exposed at the nose did drop them  .

I must be really lucky as despite loading for several 303's over the decades I have never had a case seperation on a handload. Have have a couple on old milsurp ammo but never a handload. I think using the 69 HXP brass helps as it's excellent stuff. The .303 bore Muscat martini is more of a trial as the chamber is not military spec especially in the shoulder so I am using a different make for that one and keeping then just for it.