Case Ruptures

[Oso]

While performing RSO duty (slow day) at my range I came across a batch (100-150 cases) of new Seller & Belliot 6.5 Creedmoor brass that someone had shot and discarded. This is the first time I have seen Seller & Belloit chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor at my range so I am assuming this is all from one shooter earlier in the morning...brass doesn't lay idle at this range for long. Based on the neck scratches, flattened side of case mouth, and heavy soot on cases, my best guess is that this this was new factory ammo that had been fired through an AR10. I discovered a handful of cases with a linear case rupture that is very uniform in appearance. I had time to kill so I inspected all of the cases and even ran a metal pin inside quite a few to determine if there was any irregularities on inside of case. The other cases appeared free of issue.

Due to the shape and consistent length of the rupture, I suspect that these cases were deeply cut/creased by a sharp magazine lip (metal magazine) when stripped off the magazine . What do you think?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Just hard as a rock

 

[shoot4fun]

While performing RSO duty (slow day) at my range I came across a batch (100-150 cases) of new Seller & Belliot 6.5 Creedmoor brass that someone had shot and discarded.

Due to the shape and consistent length of the rupture, I suspect that these cases were deeply cut/creased by a sharp magazine lip (metal magazine) when stripped off the magazine . What do you think?

I think life's too short to shoot garbage ammo.

 

[Oso]

Just hard as a rock

Do you mean the brass alloy that S&B is using is very stiff/rigid, and not very malleable? In other words the cases truly ruptured from expansion and not as a result of a physical deformity...

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Do you mean the brass alloy that S&B is using is very stiff/rigid, and not very malleable?

Yes

 

[Oso]

I think life's too short to shoot garbage ammo.

My plans for these cases...all of them (good and bad) are in the recycle bin.

 

[mike a]

While performing RSO duty (slow day) at my range I came across a batch (100-150 cases) of new Seller & Belliot 6.5 Creedmoor brass that someone had shot and discarded. This is the first time I have seen Seller & Belloit chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor at my range so I am assuming this is all from one shooter earlier in the morning...brass doesn't lay idle at this range for long. Based on the neck scratches, flattened side of case mouth, and heavy soot on cases, my best guess is that this this was new factory ammo that had been fired through an AR10. I discovered a handful of cases with a linear case rupture that is very uniform in appearance. I had time to kill so I inspected all of the cases and even ran a metal pin inside quite a few to determine if there was any irregularities on inside of case. The other cases appeared free of issue.

Due to the shape and consistent length of the rupture, I suspect that these cases were deeply cut/creased by a sharp magazine lip (metal magazine) when stripped off the magazine . What do you think?

Can we see the case heads/primers.

 

[shoot4fun]

My plans for these cases...all of them (good and bad) are in the recycle bin.

Oh, I'm sure you're smarter than trying to reload them. But I do know some guys who wouldn't get the "hint" and would, in fact, use the ones that didn't split again.

 

[Oso]

Yes

Thanks. I thought that might also be the cause... I agree. S&B's brass alloy may be the stiffest brass that I have dealt with. When the 300BO first appeared and there was no ammo available forcing most users to form their own cases, I could always tell a S&B case because of the difficulty in case forming with their brass always resisting and springing back. For that matter, I can tell when I am reloading a S&B 9mm case because of its resistance during resizing and flaring the case mouth.

I should caveat that this thread and my comments are not meant to disparage S&B. They make quality ammo at a great price point. I have used their ammo for small caliber rifle and pistol without issue. Their brass cases look better than most and always go boom. It just isn't very reloader friendly...

 

[Oso]

Oh, I'm sure you're smarter than trying to reload them. But I do know some guys who wouldn't get the "hint" and would, in fact, use the ones that didn't split again.

Nope... they are only good for recycling or maybe a wind chime... next Xmas' Redneck White Elephant... Ruptured Case Wind Chime. There is a distinct pitch like a small bell when you drop a ruptured case.

 

[Oso]

Can we see the case heads/primers.

Here is a shot of some of the unaffected cases...sure look clean and primers are really consistent and tight. I believe this to be factory loaded ammo.... I could be wrong.

And here is photo of some of the ruptured cases (tried to capture the rupture and headstamp at same time)

 

[rsmithsr50]

over sized chamber ??

 

[Oso]

over sized chamber ??

Not my gun ... but yes this could have been the case. What struck me odd was if it were that loose of a chamber then why did so few of the rounds (less than 10%) actually rupture. I would have thought that I would have been greater.

 

[rsmithsr50]

as was pointed out, poor quality brass, and the large chamber, some failures..way higher than "normal". no loss it is just another creedmore.

 

[jepp2]

I discovered a handful of cases with a linear case rupture that is very uniform in appearance.

I had some unusual failure on some 22-250 brass on the initial firing. I realize these failures are different than what you found, but I wondered if there might be some inherent flaws that occur during forming that result in infant mortality. Once I experienced these, I stopped firing and pulled the rest of the loads down and discarded the brass.

 

[AJC]

Thanks. I thought that might also be the cause... I agree. S&B's brass alloy may be the stiffest brass that I have dealt with. When the 300BO first appeared and there was no ammo available forcing most users to form their own cases, I could always tell a S&B case because of the difficulty in case forming with their brass always resisting and springing back. For that matter, I can tell when I am reloading a S&B 9mm case because of its resistance during resizing and flaring the case mouth.

I should caveat that this thread and my comments are not meant to disparage S&B. They make quality ammo at a great price point. I have used their ammo for small caliber rifle and pistol without issue. Their brass cases look better than most and always go boom. It just isn't very reloader friendly...

I see this with s and b 9mm also. The worst so far is cbc and word is they are made in the same factory.

 

[Rsadams]

As another RSO I would see if I could find out who's these were unless it was an open to the public day then it would be extremely difficult.... No matter what happened that's not good... What's scary is someone didn't notice or didn't care and kept banging away...

 

[Oso]

As another RSO I would see if I could find out who's these were unless it was an open to the public day then it would be extremely difficult.... No matter what happened that's not good... What's scary is someone didn't notice or didn't care and kept banging away...

Unfortunately, I just showed up for the Post-Mortem. I got busy/distracted with somebody else who launched their homemade suppressor down range... Apparently, the bore clearance was either inadequate or off center.

 

[Rsadams]

Unfortunately, I just showed up for the Post-Mortem. I got busy/distracted with somebody else who launched their homemade suppressor down range... Apparently, the bore clearance was either inadequate or off center.

Ok I haven't ran into that one yet....lol

 

[Uncle Ed]

Hard brass.
Oversized chamber.
Small diameter cases.
Low quality brass leftover from Russian occupation of Czechoslovakia.
All of the above.