What do you think caused this split case?

[cattlelackranch]

Information:
38 special

Case originally From federal gold medal match LWC

My reload info:
Tumbled 4 hrs corn cob media
Dillion 550
Dillion dies
Fed primers match small pistol
Bullseye powder 2.7 grains
Zero 148 grain LWC set flush to case
Slight roll crimp

Chronograph data written on 25 yard target
Shot from S&W K38 revolver

What do you think?

[dustoffer]

Sometimes it just happens and there isn't an explanation. How many times was that piece of brass reloaded? When I encounter a split neck in my bottle-neck rifle rounds, I make a note, then when I find the next one, the whole batch goes into the recycle bucket.

[Coach W]

Metal fatigue. They expand when you shoot, then you resize and reload. Do this a few times and they eventually break.

You can try to anneal your brass to make it last longer. But common usage of brass from the 38's I used to reload we're 3-5 times before I started seeing signs of weakness, or failure in your case. Then I put the TC barrels in a drawer and stopped chasing that ghost. I'd have to do some research to see if your running them hot as I can't recall the specs.

[Coach W]

Bullseye powder 2.7 grains is under the 3.1 max they suggest. And your velocity is well under max.... So they're not too hot.

If they are 1-2x fired brass you might check your crimp.... Excessive flaring of the mouth and a firmly rolled crimp speeds the splitting process. Bell the mouth only enough to aid starting the bullet and lightly crimping can help add life to your brass.

How many times have the split cases been reloaded?

[cattlelackranch]

These were reloaded once only.

Flared at powder funnel only enough to start bullet and not shave lead. Roll crimped only enough to remove bell and bend light.

Very soft loads. Book starting load. I'm wanting to be at 700 fps.
Not anywhere near max.

[cattlelackranch]

Bullseye powder 2.7 grains is under the 3.1 max they suggest. And your velocity is well under max.... So they're not too hot.

If they are 1-2x fired brass you might check your crimp.... Excessive flaring of the mouth and a firmly rolled crimp speeds the splitting process. Bell the mouth only enough to aid starting the bullet and lightly crimping can help add life to your brass.

How many times have the split cases been reloaded?

What book do you have. Lee manual shows 2.7 start load for 148 grain lead wadcutter.

I also have Barnes, Nosler and Lyman books but they don't give good or any data for this bullet.

[cattlelackranch]

Sometimes it just happens and there isn't an explanation. How many times was that piece of brass reloaded? When I encounter a split neck in my bottle-neck rifle rounds, I make a note, then when I find the next one, the whole batch goes into the recycle bucket.

I hope it's not the case. I have 5,000

[trophy8]

IMO you got a weak piece of brass. It happens.

[Coach W]

What book do you have. Lee manual shows 2.7 start load for 148 grain lead wadcutter.

I also have Barnes, Nosler and Lyman books but they don't give good or any data for this bullet.

Books? Lol. I just go to their website.. My dad still clings to his reloading books too. My loads are written in them somewhere... So I hope he still holds onto them lol.

I think I remember 2.5-2.8 being the "gold standard" for the 38 special shooting 148grain wad cutters... I was interested at punching paper first... Then moved on to punching live crits... Then lost interest all together.

Either way your not running hot loads at those specs.

Here's alliant's info:

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloade...1&cartridge=26

[cattlelackranch]

Books? Lol. I just go to their website.. My dad still clings to his reloading books too. My loads are written in them somewhere... So I hope he still holds onto them lol.

Here ya go.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloade...1&cartridge=26

Ha. I've never liked the website. They just show "recipes" and not starting and max loads.

[cattlelackranch]

IMO you got a weak piece of brass. It happens.

I'm gonna go with this. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something stupid.

Thanks guys.
Carry on

[Coach W]

Ha. I've never liked the website. They just show "recipes" and not starting and max loads.

I'm pretty sure those are the max loads... The page before that one says:

"REDUCE RIFLE AND HANDGUN CHARGE WEIGHTS BY 10% TO ESTABLISH A STARTING LOAD.
The exceptions to this are the loads listed as "target" in the 38 Special and 45 ACP data tables.

DO NOT EXCEED THE LOADS DISPLAYED ON THE SITE OR ALLIANT'S RELOADERS GUIDE."

10% of 3.1= 2.79

[M16]

Sometimes you just get a weak case. Often caused by moisture. Moisture causes corrosion and this will weaken the brass. It's best to store your used brass in an airtight container. Also not a bad idea to clean your brass as soon as possible after shooting it.

I have had hundreds of splits in handgun brass like yours. It doesn't bother me a bit. I just toss the one that split and keep using the rest. Doesn't harm the gun at all. Accuracy can suffer as brass ages but for practice ammo it is fine.

I read an article once where I believe they reloaded a .38 special 140 or so times before it cracked. Some will crack on the first reload and some will seem to last forever. In my opinion it's nothing to worry about.

[sir shovelhands]

X2 on the weak brass. If it was overpressure, you'd blow out somewhere that gas could escape (around the case head).

Also, who still uses books?

I usually email the powder & bullet manufacturer for load data to confirm what's on hodgdon's.

[cattlelackranch]

I'm pretty sure those are the max loads... The page before that one says:

"REDUCE RIFLE AND HANDGUN CHARGE WEIGHTS BY 10% TO ESTABLISH A STARTING LOAD.
The exceptions to this are the loads listed as "target" in the 38 Special and 45 ACP data tables.

DO NOT EXCEED THE LOADS DISPLAYED ON THE SITE OR ALLIANT'S RELOADERS GUIDE."

10% of 3.1= 2.79

Thanks Nate,

I guess I should have read the first page! I just always went straight to the tables. I guess I will reference the site more. Although I still like having the books too.