Author Topic: 357 split cases??? (Read 500 times)

pistolfan · « **on:** September 02, 2005, 08:09:14 AM »

Hey guys: Wondering if anyone has an answer to this one. I found 5 .357 Max cases out of 200 with a wrinkle looking split on them. These are all new R-P cases only reloaded twice, my load is 21.5 AA1680, 194gr cast gc bullet. I shoot a 10" T.C. Contender. I bought the brass at a gun show, sure looked new but it wasn't in a Remington bag. Can't figure out why they split, I've got 44 mag brass and 7-30 Waters that I've loaded a dozen time without splits. Anyone got a clue as why and what I can do. Should I anneal them , junk them

. Thanks for any replys. Peter aka pistolfan

John Traveler1 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 02, 2005, 10:06:59 AM »

pistolfan,

I once showed a batch of almost new split cases to a metallurgist friend. He stated that the "wrinkle looking split" was indication of faulty grain structure in the brass, and that annealing would not eliminate that. He stated that the straight mouth splits were from repeated crimping and work hardening, and could be minimized with periodic annealing, but that the wrinkled/irregular cracks are from too coarse a grain structure when manufactured. That's why you only got a couple reloads from the cases.

Cartridge cases are manufactured on high-speed automatic machines. We have no control over the quality of brass that goes into the cartridge mills or the end product.

skb2706 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 02, 2005, 11:28:45 AM »

If you go to the Remington website....look for contact info. get the phone number for the Rem. Munitions plant in Arkansas. Ask for a CS person, they will ask you to send samples, they will review, they will contact you and send you funds to replace or send you replacement brass if they have it. Been there done that......they are very helpful group of people. Historically .357 Rem. max is not properly annealed and is known to split.

pistolfan · « **Reply #3 on:** September 05, 2005, 09:25:27 AM »

I'll try that Remington num., thanks for the info. I was at the range yesterday and I lost three cases out of 100. One was split almost the whole length. All the cases that split were loaded with 21.5 gr of AA1680 with a 194 gr cast bullet (50), I can't belive that that is a overload for this weight of bullet. The primmer doesn't look flatten, the other 50 were 21.0 gr and they all came out ok. Like I said this hasn't ever happen before and I use mostly Remington brass in all my reloading. Probably some of that Friday/Monday brass. Thanks again for the replys, if I get any info back from Rem. I'll let you know. Peter

skb2706 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 06, 2005, 03:22:20 AM »

I agree your load is not an overload. When I had problems with Rem. .357 max brass I sent them a loaded round and my loading data...which by the way was considerably higher than your load. They conceded that it was brass issues and not my load. I was using 25.5 gr. of AA1680 behind a 180 SSP.

Steve P · « **Reply #5 on:** September 07, 2005, 05:58:28 PM »

I agree. Not overloaded. That load is similar to what I used in silhouette shooting for several years. Some of the earlier Remington brass would split. Once you culled out the bad ones, the rest worked pretty good.

For use in my contender, I only sized the brass to get the bullet to seat. I did not do a full length size. If you full length size, look at the brass closely and measure it. You will see what is called a 'coke bottle effect'. Kinda slimmer in the middle. Work harden this area, get the cracking you describe.

So, once fireformed in your contender, use a carbide sizing die and size about the 1/4 to 3/8" of the neck and call it good. I also seat my bullets in one step, then use profile crimp die after bullet seated.

No more brass problems.

Steve

P.S. I have experience with the 357 max in Ruger, Dan Wesson, and T/C.

Haywire Haywood · « **Reply #6 on:** September 07, 2005, 10:25:18 PM »

Not bashing any other brand, but I buy Starline whenever I can and have never had a problem. My load is 24.2 of 1680 and 180gr cast bullet out of a 357Max NEF Handi Rifle.

Ian

skb2706 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 08, 2005, 03:46:54 AM »

HH- didn't know you could get .357 max brass from Starline. I have seen .360 DW brass listed but not max. Good info....I will check it out.

Haywire Haywood · « **Reply #8 on:** September 08, 2005, 03:37:13 PM »

Quote from: Haywire Haywood

I buy Starline whenever I can...
Ian

Well, I have to eat my words somewhat.... I do buy Starline whenever I can, got it in 45lc, 357mag, 45-70, 45-90.... but my Max cases are Remington. :oops:

Bah Humbug,
Ian

pistolfan · « **Reply #9 on:** September 11, 2005, 09:17:10 AM »

skb2706 - Got ahold of Remingtons munitions and components plant customer service person. You were right about being friendly and helpful ( after the company line of we can't be responsible for how many reloads etc. etc.), he then said send some samples and they'll take a look. Sent them off a few days ago, sent the split ones, no splits and brand new ones, we'll see what happens next, I'll let you all know when I get some info from them. Thanks again, Peter

pistolfan · « **Reply #10 on:** September 19, 2005, 03:02:11 PM »

Hey guys - Just wanted to let you know I got a letter today (9/19/05) from Remington letting me know that they think there was a problem in the brass drawing operation when they made my brass. They are sending out replacement brass to me, didn't ask for my brass either. Got to admit they are fast, got to like a company like that. Thanks skb2706 for pointing me to them. Peter aka pistolfan