.223 Rem case split help

[JON8777]

I am working on a load for the 26" Encore. After decapping the brass last night I had a case split on me, about 1/4" above the rim.

The brass was factory brass that was shot and then loaded with 25g of H335, nosler 55gn bullet with a 6 1/2 primer.

How do I measure the headspace on the Encore and deterine if it was a faulty case or a head space issue?

[LaOtto222]

Did you full length re-size the case after the first firing? I would take one of the unfired factory rounds and drop it in the barrel. If you do not have one, use a full length sized case. I would then put a straight edge across the chamber mouth. If a human hair can slide easily between the straight edge and the case you probably have too much head space. Stay to the side of the case do not go across the primer, because if a primer is too high, it can give you a false reading. This is assuming that the barrel to breech face space is less than .002". You can measure that with shims. Put a .002" shim between the barrel and the breech face and see if it will lock up and pull out. If it does lock up and pull out easily, you have more than .002" head space built into the barrel-Breech face gap.The proper way to measure head space in the barrel - is to use a micrometer depth gauge to get exact head space. If you have too much head space, you can over come it by pushing back the shoulder just enough to close the action after the first firing. You do this by moving the die up too far and incrementally turning the die down until it pushes the shoulder back just enough to close the action. Even if it does have too much head space, this will prevent the case from stretching and re-stretching until it fails. Of course if there is way too much head space then it could fail on the first firing. If you find the head space to be with in reason (.002" - .004" total head space), there probably was a problem with the case. I have never found a problem with a case, but that does not mean that it could not happen. Good Luck and Good Shooting

[LaOtto222]

I just looked up H 335 powder loads for a 223 with 55 grain bullets. You are at the top load for a 55 grain bullet according to Nosler's latest edition and above the top load in Hornady's latest edition. Your loads may be too hot for your rifle. Back off these loads and see if you have the same problems. You need to work your way up from a light load a little at a time. Chronograph your loads on the way to see when you reach top velocities or get your best accuracy. Every gun is different as far as what powder charge will get you top pressure. Encore actions are strong, but not as strong as a good bolt gun. Do not try to make a 22-250 out of your 223.

[Lloyd Smale]

probably a combination of a top end load and a defective piece of brass.

[JON8777]

Noslers load is 25g max, Lymans 47th has it as 27 or 27.5g max

[moosemoose]

I realize you were using factory brass, but I resize and prep all my cases before I reload the new stuff to make every thing the same.  Once I found a case that was not punched for a flash hole, and everytime I notice the neck deformities that occur with new brass.  There are also inconsistencies with case length.  I could see how a bad case could show up in your new brass.


I use either a Wilson overall case length gauge or a hornady overall/headspace AS I RESIZE.  Both are available at Midway or Sinclair international. 

Resizing a case past the specified amount then firing it allows it to stretch and the weak point is where your case split.  Have you noticed a bright ring above the web on some of your other fired brass?  If so
your sizing die or the one oat the factory may be screwed in too far allowing a below minimum headspace condition to occur.

Head space gauges, go and no go, allow you to measure the headspace in your rifles chamber.

The gauges I mentioned earlier allow you to measure your fired and resized cartridge case headspace.

I have found that by following the directions on the reloading die instructions in at least 2 new die sets that I was creating a minimum headspace condition... In short raising the ram, screwing in the sizing die till it touches the ram, lowering the ram, screwing in the die another eighth of a turn and locking it down was too much.  .010 of an inch isn't very much and the only way to see it is by using these specialty tools.