case seperation

[tvc15]

Does anybody have a good picture of the "bright ring" that  shows  up prior to seperation? Or is is so obvious a novice could see it?  thanks TVC15

[OLDHandgunner]

tvc15
Sometimes it really shows up, but that's usually just before it seperates. I made a simple tool from a paper clip. Just straighten out the clip and make a sharp point on the end. Then bend the point to a 90 degree angle. You can reach down inside the case and feel the ridge long before it will show outside. This will save alot of wasted time trying to get a seperated case out of our chamber.

[Luckyducker]

I don't have a picture of the "shiney ring", but have had the experience of producing one.  The ring isn't as noticeable as the shiney spots on the case head which in turn didn't grab my attention as quickly as the missing primer.  This was a 22-250Rem. in a Handi-rifle.  BTW, the load I used when this happened was the exact same load I had shot previously with only slightly flattened primers.  I am now in the process of developing a different load for this rifle, something accurate that doesn't test the strength of the rifle's action.

[tvc15]

The paper clip idea is a good one, just tried it. I guess you should check before and after you re-size?  Thanks TVC15

[Darrell Davis]

Hey there TCV15,

The tip on the paper clip is a good one, and one i have used for years.

Do I read between the lines that you may be new to the reloading game?

If so, we can give you a few tips on the cause of rapid - low number of times fired - separations.

Potential head separations are not uncommon with oft reloaded cases, and the paper clip probe makes it easy to know when it is time for a batch of new cases.

AS a side light, case wear is one of the best reasons to keep track of "number of times fired" for all your rifle brass.

When you find a potential case head seperation in one case, it is very likely the rest of that batch of brass is also due for replacement.

Stay safe and keep em coming!

[stimpylu32]

tvc15

You had to go and start this topic , today after over 25 years of loading and shooting i had my first complete case seperation , it was in my new 270 H&R handi , fired the round , broke it open and low and behold only the last 1/2" of the case came out .

Does tend to shorten your shooting trip if you don't have something to get it out with , as in my case . 

stimpy

[huntswithdogs]

My Hornady manual has some good pictures of these rings. I've got some good examples at home in my "throw away bin" but don't have a camera to post pics.

HWD

[tvc15]

Yes I am a novice, I started last year and had the pleasure of harvesting 3 deer with my own reloads.
And also I am to the point of having brass that has been fired several times, and  actually saw some streach marks on one of my .243 cases. These were range brass so who knows how many times they were used.
I am one of those "sissy" reloaders who stay way clear of max loads. Just more interested in accuracy than speed. Thanks, TVC 15

[OR-E-Gun Bill]

For case separation pics go here:

http://stevespages.com/diagnosingproblems.html




Bill

[KN]

Don't misstake the "bright ring" from the ring that is some times formed after re-sizing. Your die will not go 100% down the length of the case and will leave a little ring where the sizing stops. That is not usually where the separation ring appears.   KN

[Darrell Davis]

Well tvc15, if I can be of any help, send me an "E" and I will give you a few pointers I have learned over the years..

Probably most of the posters here have been through it before, so they may not wish to see it again, even if it is from a different poster.

Keep em coming!

[The Gamemaster]

A 243 with a normal load should last a Long Long time.

Case seperation usually happens in larger calibers like a 270 / 308 / 30 - 06......

Chamber pressure usually is not the problem as much as head spacing or corossion inside the case - from improper cleaning and also from not annealing the case once in a while and not keeping accurate records on how many times it has been fired.

The worst ones I have had were Remington R - P cases, and then the Winchester brass  because the brass seems to be harder in the Winchesters than in the Remingtons.

Here is a picture that I took of one with my web camera.  You can see that it is leaking and ready to come apart.

[The Gamemaster]

More Seperation - not very good pictures, but you can see the ring where the dies stoped and also the ring above it is where it is cracked and ready to seperate.

[The Gamemaster]

Here is one that the neck cracked.

[The Gamemaster]

Broken neck next to a case that was highlighted where the crack is with a Sharpe Marker.