Gunsmithing blown cases
- Thread starter kgj1119
- Start date
Re: blown cases
Can you give us more details on it?
Caliber, bullets, loading data, etc.
There's lots of issues. One simple fix could be a load worked up in cold temps or high altitudes and then shot in hot temps and/or low altitudes.
What kind of "blown cases" are we talking?
Can you give us more details on it?
Caliber, bullets, loading data, etc.
There's lots of issues. One simple fix could be a load worked up in cold temps or high altitudes and then shot in hot temps and/or low altitudes.
What kind of "blown cases" are we talking?
Re: blown cases
Yeah...
'Multiple blown cases' is a pretty vague sysmptom to be trying to diagnose.
Yeah...
'Multiple blown cases' is a pretty vague sysmptom to be trying to diagnose.
Re: blown cases
First off the top of my head would be operator error. But you need to give more info.
First off the top of my head would be operator error. But you need to give more info.
Re: blown cases
We shoot factory loaded hornady 168gr. A-Max rnds. We all shhot the same lot number, and we have about 10,000 rnds on hand. No one else has had a problem with this ammo before. Also, the cases were splitting down the middle, no blown primers,or case head seperation.
We shoot factory loaded hornady 168gr. A-Max rnds. We all shhot the same lot number, and we have about 10,000 rnds on hand. No one else has had a problem with this ammo before. Also, the cases were splitting down the middle, no blown primers,or case head seperation.
Re: blown cases
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kgj1119</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We shoot factory loaded hornady 168gr. A-Max rnds. We all shhot the same lot number, and we have about 10,000 rnds on hand. No one else has had a problem with this ammo before. Also, the cases were splitting down the middle, no blown primers,or case head seperation. </div></div>
Were there any other pressure signs or was it just splitting the case? How many rounds split? Was it just your rifle?
If every other brand of ammo through the rifle has been fine my first call would be to Hornady. If you have 10,000 rounds on hand from the same lot, I wouldn't want 10,000 rounds for worthless ammo.
I don't remember where it was but there was a problem some months ago of Hornady ammo in .223 I think, that was having a problem. The ammo was loaded by another company for Hornady not sure if this is something similar.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kgj1119</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We shoot factory loaded hornady 168gr. A-Max rnds. We all shhot the same lot number, and we have about 10,000 rnds on hand. No one else has had a problem with this ammo before. Also, the cases were splitting down the middle, no blown primers,or case head seperation. </div></div>
Were there any other pressure signs or was it just splitting the case? How many rounds split? Was it just your rifle?
If every other brand of ammo through the rifle has been fine my first call would be to Hornady. If you have 10,000 rounds on hand from the same lot, I wouldn't want 10,000 rounds for worthless ammo.
I don't remember where it was but there was a problem some months ago of Hornady ammo in .223 I think, that was having a problem. The ammo was loaded by another company for Hornady not sure if this is something similar.
Re: blown cases
Where is it splitting? I have seen ammo split at the necks because of some build up of brass deposits. Used a reamer to clean it up and cleaned it real well, problem went away.
Where is it splitting? I have seen ammo split at the necks because of some build up of brass deposits. Used a reamer to clean it up and cleaned it real well, problem went away.
Re: blown cases
did it just start splitting every case all of a sudden or has it been only one or two, and what caliber is the rifle chambered in?
did it just start splitting every case all of a sudden or has it been only one or two, and what caliber is the rifle chambered in?
Re: blown cases
Might want to Check the headspace, it sounds farfetched but it's possible your lugs have been set back so much your headspace has gone excessive. 6000 is a good many rounds and if the majority of them were pretty warm, it could happen. Oh and have you tried different ammo?
Might want to Check the headspace, it sounds farfetched but it's possible your lugs have been set back so much your headspace has gone excessive. 6000 is a good many rounds and if the majority of them were pretty warm, it could happen. Oh and have you tried different ammo?
Re: blown cases
Hand fit a loaded round into the chamber with the bolt removed.
Can you wiggle the case head with your fingers with the round fully chambered?
From what you've said so far I would lean to a combination of brass sized to the small end going into a chamber sized at the large end with brass cases that are too hard in the middle.
Easy to mess up when annealing brass as the head needs to be hard and the neck needs to be soft.
Hand fit a loaded round into the chamber with the bolt removed.
Can you wiggle the case head with your fingers with the round fully chambered?
From what you've said so far I would lean to a combination of brass sized to the small end going into a chamber sized at the large end with brass cases that are too hard in the middle.
Easy to mess up when annealing brass as the head needs to be hard and the neck needs to be soft.
Re: blown cases
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rovieairto</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hand fit a loaded round into the chamber with the bolt removed.
Can you wiggle the case head with your fingers with the round fully chambered?
From what you've said so far I would lean to a combination of brass sized to the small end going into a chamber sized at the large end with brass cases that are too hard in the middle.
Easy to mess up when annealing brass as the head needs to be hard and the neck needs to be soft.
</div></div>
PSSSST......
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kgj1119</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We shoot factory loaded hornady 168gr. A-Max rnds. We all shhot the same lot number, and we have about 10,000 rnds on hand. No one else has had a problem with this ammo before. Also, the cases were splitting down the middle, no blown primers,or case head seperation. </div></div>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rovieairto</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hand fit a loaded round into the chamber with the bolt removed.
Can you wiggle the case head with your fingers with the round fully chambered?
From what you've said so far I would lean to a combination of brass sized to the small end going into a chamber sized at the large end with brass cases that are too hard in the middle.
Easy to mess up when annealing brass as the head needs to be hard and the neck needs to be soft.
</div></div>
PSSSST......
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kgj1119</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We shoot factory loaded hornady 168gr. A-Max rnds. We all shhot the same lot number, and we have about 10,000 rnds on hand. No one else has had a problem with this ammo before. Also, the cases were splitting down the middle, no blown primers,or case head seperation. </div></div>
Re: blown cases
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Wil</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rovieairto</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hand fit a loaded round into the chamber with the bolt removed.
Can you wiggle the case head with your fingers with the round fully chambered?
From what you've said so far I would lean to a combination of brass sized to the small end going into a chamber sized at the large end with brass cases that are too hard in the middle.
Easy to mess up when annealing brass as the head needs to be hard and the neck needs to be soft.
</div></div>
PSSSST......
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kgj1119</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We shoot factory loaded hornady 168gr. A-Max rnds. We all shhot the same lot number, and we have about 10,000 rnds on hand. No one else has had a problem with this ammo before. Also, the cases were splitting down the middle, no blown primers,or case head seperation. </div></div> </div></div>
Yes, I did read that part.
Do you work for Hornady loading their ammunition?
It is what it is and the ammunition/rifle combo are having problems and those problems have a solution.
Based on what he said I think my hypothesis is still valid.
More info would be helpful but I've been down this road so I thought that I would chime in.
Factories do F up their ammunition too.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Wil</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rovieairto</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hand fit a loaded round into the chamber with the bolt removed.
Can you wiggle the case head with your fingers with the round fully chambered?
From what you've said so far I would lean to a combination of brass sized to the small end going into a chamber sized at the large end with brass cases that are too hard in the middle.
Easy to mess up when annealing brass as the head needs to be hard and the neck needs to be soft.
</div></div>
PSSSST......
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kgj1119</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We shoot factory loaded hornady 168gr. A-Max rnds. We all shhot the same lot number, and we have about 10,000 rnds on hand. No one else has had a problem with this ammo before. Also, the cases were splitting down the middle, no blown primers,or case head seperation. </div></div> </div></div>
Yes, I did read that part.
Do you work for Hornady loading their ammunition?
It is what it is and the ammunition/rifle combo are having problems and those problems have a solution.
Based on what he said I think my hypothesis is still valid.
More info would be helpful but I've been down this road so I thought that I would chime in.
Factories do F up their ammunition too.
Re: blown cases
Let's start with the basics and determine if the chamber is within tolerance.
First check the head space:
Headspace Gauges
Then take a casting of the chamber:
Cerrosafe Chamber Casting Alloy
And compare it to the SAAMI dimensions:
SAAMI Centerfire Rifle Ammunition Standards
I'm willing to bet after 6000+ rounds the chamber is a little loose in your rifle.
Hope this helps you out.
Let's start with the basics and determine if the chamber is within tolerance.
First check the head space:
Headspace Gauges
Then take a casting of the chamber:
Cerrosafe Chamber Casting Alloy
And compare it to the SAAMI dimensions:
SAAMI Centerfire Rifle Ammunition Standards
I'm willing to bet after 6000+ rounds the chamber is a little loose in your rifle.
Hope this helps you out.
Re: blown cases
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rovieairto</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Wil</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rovieairto</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hand fit a loaded round into the chamber with the bolt removed.
Can you wiggle the case head with your fingers with the round fully chambered?
From what you've said so far I would lean to a combination of brass sized to the small end going into a chamber sized at the large end with brass cases that are too hard in the middle.
Easy to mess up when annealing brass as the head needs to be hard and the neck needs to be soft.
</div></div>
PSSSST......
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kgj1119</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We shoot factory loaded hornady 168gr. A-Max rnds. We all shhot the same lot number, and we have about 10,000 rnds on hand. No one else has had a problem with this ammo before. Also, the cases were splitting down the middle, no blown primers,or case head seperation. </div></div> </div></div>
Yes, I did read that part.
Do you work for Hornady loading their ammunition?
It is what it is and the ammunition/rifle combo are having problems and those problems have a solution.
Based on what he said I think my hypothesis is still valid.
More info would be helpful but I've been down this road so I thought that I would chime in.
Factories do F up their ammunition too. </div></div>
understood... your post read like you were indicating that he was handloading and had undersized them or annealed incorrectly...
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rovieairto</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Wil</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rovieairto</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hand fit a loaded round into the chamber with the bolt removed.
Can you wiggle the case head with your fingers with the round fully chambered?
From what you've said so far I would lean to a combination of brass sized to the small end going into a chamber sized at the large end with brass cases that are too hard in the middle.
Easy to mess up when annealing brass as the head needs to be hard and the neck needs to be soft.
</div></div>
PSSSST......
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kgj1119</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We shoot factory loaded hornady 168gr. A-Max rnds. We all shhot the same lot number, and we have about 10,000 rnds on hand. No one else has had a problem with this ammo before. Also, the cases were splitting down the middle, no blown primers,or case head seperation. </div></div> </div></div>
Yes, I did read that part.
Do you work for Hornady loading their ammunition?
It is what it is and the ammunition/rifle combo are having problems and those problems have a solution.
Based on what he said I think my hypothesis is still valid.
More info would be helpful but I've been down this road so I thought that I would chime in.
Factories do F up their ammunition too. </div></div>
understood... your post read like you were indicating that he was handloading and had undersized them or annealed incorrectly...
