243 win necks splitting

[Outlaw45]

I have Winchester brand 243win brass and have sized and loaded them 6 times and now have 5 cases that have split necks. Am I doing something wrong? I'm using Forster FL dies and loading 42.0gr H4350.

Or is it a bad batch of brass? I noticed a couple that had what looked like a wrinkle in the neck. I didn't see 6 of them out of the 50 cases I was using.

 

[2Shots]

Re: 243 win necks splitting

Since you are full length sizing you are probably over working the brass. Neck sizing will help, or anneal after 3 or 4 firings.

 

[Force_Multiplier]

Re: 243 win necks splitting

42.1gr of H4350 w/ a 105A-Max gives me 3100fps in a Win 243 case... I'll be happy w/ 6 loadings

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: 243 win necks splitting

Your cases are due for annealing or replacement.

On average - and with conventional dies - neck sizing works the necks fully as much as FL dies.

 

[boltgunluvr]

Re: 243 win necks splitting

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Outlaw45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have Winchester brand 243win brass and have sized and loaded them 6 times and now have 5 cases that have split necks. Am I doing something wrong? I'm using Forster FL dies and loading 42.0gr H4350.

Or is it a bad batch of brass? I noticed a couple that had what looked like a wrinkle in the neck. I didn't see 6 of them out of the 50 cases I was using. </div></div>

42gr of H4350 with what weight bullet???? Could be you're simply loading to hot. If using 100+gr bullets, use slower powders.

 

[Outlaw45]

Re: 243 win necks splitting

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: boltgunluvr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
42gr of H4350 with what weight bullet???? Could be you're simply loading to hot. If using 100+gr bullets, use slower powders. </div></div>

Oh sorry, 87gr V-max

 

[Temp9]

Re: 243 win necks splitting

Anneal if you haven't already. The necks are probably pretty hard by now.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: 243 win necks splitting

Your split necks are not due to excessively hot loads. Case necks will be hard against the chamber neck at pressures far below normal max and that's as far as they can go until the chamber blows apart.

 

[Outlaw45]

Re: 243 win necks splitting

Haven't got into annealing yet. I'll try new brass.

 

[awonder]

Re: 243 win necks splitting

I'm surprised you've gotten 6 loadings with those cases. I would be happy with that and read up on annealing. It's easy.

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: 243 win necks splitting

Your cases got work hardened, and needed to get annealed. I anneal my cases after about 2-3 firings. After 3-4 firings, the necks get brittle and won't hold a bullet consistantly from case to case. Annealing is the answer. Start over with a new batch of brass and anneal after 2-3 firings, and you'll be good for another 2-3 firings.

 

[Outlaw45]

Re: 243 win necks splitting

Ok I'll look into annealing. I do like the Bench-source annealer.

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: 243 win necks splitting

The Hornady annealing kit works well for me, and it's only $50. And you really don't need that. A cordless drill with a socket that fits the case head and a propane torch will work. 6 to 7 seconds in the light blue flame and you're good.

 

[jetsurgeon]

Re: 243 win necks splitting

Your cases need annealed. If you are technically inclined, contact JMorris on here to purchase his plans and blade to make your own annealing machine. He only provides the full scale plans and the blade, you'll have to piece everything else together.