Hey all Back @ the end of 2005 I loaded 50 rounds Of 44 mag For my Encore pistol . The loads are near max Hunting loads that I only use for deer season. Well when I pulled them out tonight when I was getting stuff ready for Monday. I found that 45 Of the Hornady cases are split. They are split almost the full length of the case. This was New brass when it was loaded. I sized , Trimmed , Belled, Primed , charged , loaded with a 240gr xtp Bullet, Crimped with the Lee Factory crimp die. I used Hornady Dies for all the other steps. The Powder charge is not a compressed load ,I'm using 2400 powder. Was the brass to Hard from the factory. Were the Cases not annealed @ the factory maybe? Thanks for any insight you can give.