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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Case neck splits

Posted: 8/23/2014 11:15:00 PM EDT

In the 2 AR's I've built I've noticed about 25% of my spent brass have case neck splits. I'm using a Black Hole Weaponry barrel and a SAA M-16 bolt on both rifles. The ammo is some Dallas Reloading Service ammo I bought in a lot of 1000 rounds about 14 years ago. Did I get a lot of ammo that has been reloaded many times or with otherwise weak cases? The Black Hole Weaponry barrels seem to have a good reputation and I've had no other issues. Could this be a head space issue?

Posted: 8/24/2014 8:48:00 AM EDT

[#1]

I am not sure of the cause, but it is not headspace. Excessive headspace will give you case head separations not split necks. Overworked, work hardened brass= split necks.

Posted: 8/24/2014 10:30:38 AM EDT

[#2]

I must have just gotten a bad batch of reloads.

Posted: 8/24/2014 11:40:33 AM EDT

[#3]

Sounds to me like they were probably twice fired before they got to you

Posted: 8/24/2014 2:09:06 PM EDT

[#4]

I would buy a few boxes of factory ammo and see if the problem still happens. It's most likely the reloads.

Posted: 8/24/2014 2:49:12 PM EDT

[#5]

Would bank that it's the reloads, being that the fired brass was chemical cleaned before reloaded, and caused the brass to be too brittle now.

Posted: 8/24/2014 11:46:30 PM EDT

[#6]

*Always* heed Dano523's advice.

Out of several thousand "once-fired" cases of my own, and several thousand or so "range brass" I've bought in bulk, I've only discarded maybe 30~40 for neck or body splits, and a handful for other questionable conditions, so if you're seeing 25% splits, you're getting over-used brass.

HTH

Posted: 8/25/2014 6:51:26 AM EDT

[#7]

I've reloaded FC, PMC, LC five times with no issues, no trimming (RCBS-X sizer die).

Posted: 8/25/2014 1:56:00 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
*Always* heed Dano523's advice.

Out of several thousand "once-fired" cases of my own, and several thousand or so "range brass" I've bought in bulk, I've only discarded maybe 30~40 for neck or body splits, and a handful for other questionable conditions, so if you're seeing 25% splits, you're getting over-used brass.

HTH

View Quote

May not be over used brass, but as stated, the once fired brass cases chemically cleaned instead of tumbled cleaned, which can cause the brass to become brittle if the correct chemicals are not used to clean brass cases instead.

Posted: 8/26/2014 8:54:44 PM EDT

[#9]

Sounds like they chemically cleaned the brass. Is there a reason to chemically clean over tumbling? Is it cheaper?

Posted: 8/26/2014 10:18:25 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
Sounds like they chemically cleaned the brass. Is there a reason to chemically clean over tumbling? Is it cheaper?

View Quote

Faster over tumbling to clean and de-tarnish the brass, but could end with the brass stress corrosion cracking depending on the chemical cleaner/method used.

Posted: 10/23/2014 12:40:51 AM EDT

[#11]

Is citric acid and hot water safe for cleaning brass?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Case neck splits

AR-15 » Troubleshooting

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