Bad brass or...???

[4xforfun]

ARRRRG!! Finally....after a few years, got all of my new 338 edge brass fireformed. Light load of h1000 behind 300 Berger. I was sooooo excited to try this brass. I had 7 cycles on my old Rem 300 Rum brass and , aside for a few loose(ish) primer pockets it is still OK. My old load was 92 H1000 @ 2840. Shot AWESOME. New brass gave me fits with PSI signs even though I was well below what I was using with the Rem brass. Ended up @ 85 H1000 at around 2700 to get them all Fireformed.

Now....I go to size the brass and almost every piece has a split neck!!! One firing!! As far as I know, within limits, of course, split necks have nothing to do with mild or hot loads. My thought are that there is something amiss with the brass.

I also load for a friend of mine.....same brass, same reamer, same BBL, same smith , 91 H1000 @ 2840 and most of his are split also.

It can't be the smith, reamer , or load because I ran 50 Rem brass 7x's with ZERO issues!!

Anyone??


Tod

 

[Ramblerman]

ARRRRG!! Finally....after a few years, got all of my new 338 edge brass fireformed. Light load of h1000 behind 300 Berger. I was sooooo excited to try this brass. I had 7 cycles on my old Rem 300 Rum brass and , aside for a few loose(ish) primer pockets it is still OK. My old load was 92 H1000 @ 2840. Shot AWESOME. New brass gave me fits with PSI signs even though I was well below what I was using with the Rem brass. Ended up @ 85 H1000 at around 2700 to get them all Fireformed.

Now....I go to size the brass and almost every piece has a split neck!!! One firing!! As far as I know, within limits, of course, split necks have nothing to do with mild or hot loads. My thought are that there is something amiss with the brass.

I also load for a friend of mine.....same brass, same reamer, same BBL, same smith , 91 H1000 @ 2840 and most of his are split also.

It can't be the smith, reamer , or load because I ran 50 Rem brass 7x's with ZERO issues!!

Anyone??


Tod

What brass?

 

[243winxb]

Annealed before necking up?

Does the loaded rounds neck have correct clearance in the chamber? To little or to much.

 

[4xforfun]

Was going to hold the name of the mfgr....but it is 338 Edge Brass from Bertrom...no necking up. Bought about 4 or 5 years ago. Should not need to anneal new brass. This brass looks like Lapua with the discolored top 1/2 of the brass from being annealed at the factory. 1.5 thou per side clearance. 3 thou total.

 

[RegionRat]

Sometimes the brass is in a work hardened condition up front due to a possible process drift in the annealing when it was made. Any additional stress and it can be ready to fracture.

Other times, it can happen when brass is accidentally exposed to chemicals that lead to corrosion cracking. Those examples usually require the brass to have some tensile stress while exposed at the same time.

Hard to say what caused your's to split. Sorry to hear it, I know that is disappointing.

 

[Ramblerman]

Arrrrgghhhh indeed!!! And that brass warnt cheap, neither!!!!

Yeah...that shouldn't be happening I'm thinking...I would take 10 and anneal them...then shoot and load them as many times as you can to failure and see what you can expect...my $.02

 

[243winxb]

If not a factory annealing/brass issue, then over working the brass is next.

Sizing the neck down more then needed, then expanding it, may work harden the brass. If using a bushing die, should not be an issue.

If a chemical issue from cleaning, annealing will not fix it.

 

[L.Sherm]

Bertram is some of the worst brass I have been around especially weight and neck thickness variation.

 

[4xforfun]

If not a factory annealing/brass issue, then over working the brass is next.

Sizing the neck down more then needed, then expanding it, may work harden the brass. If using a bushing die, should not be an issue.

If a chemical issue from cleaning, annealing will not fix it.

Not working the brass......ran new brass through with a .366 bushing....shot them...came out of the chamber split. Some little tiny splits in the neck - shoulder junction...others have the neck totally split. Some spits are straight...some jagged. No chemicals....I did not clean. Load and shoot.

Lucky for me (I HOPE!!) I have 150 new ADG EDGE brass on deck!!

Tod

 

[Old Navy]

Have a friend up in Wyoming that had the exact same problem with new brass. He ended up sending it back for replacement. The new brass solved the problem. He did not get an explanation from the manufacturer.

 

[bozo699]

Tod,
Long time no talk to..... sorry to hear your having trouble, I have no experience with the edge or that brand of brass I do however have several large .338 rifle without these issues. You have good clearance from past conversations with you I know your knowledgeable, I also agree not the smith or ream unless you can see marks on the necks after firing?..... my money would be on work hardened brass,.... I know it’s new but you nor I have no idea there brass drawing procedures nor the quality of wire used in there process my suggestion would be to anneal before loading first time, before any brass work at all and again after first firing and see if issue goes away also I would measure all measurements on factory and first fired brass to see what’s happening there.i can’t remember but back in the day before factory brass didn’t they wildcat that off .338/378 Weatherby brass?.... I’ll be interested in what you find wish ya the best my friend.
Wayne

 

[lhsako]

Call the place u purchased them from. tell them the problem. Have them send u a prepaid return shipping label. return them for a refund or a brand that will work.
make the company do the right thing !!!! Hold them responsible.

 

[Papa Charlie]

Do you still have the lot numbers on this brass? If so, I would reach out to the manufacturer.
It sounds as though you have looked through your processing and reloading and from what I have read, it does not appear to be a standout item.
Even if you do not have the lot numbers, although it will be the first question they ask, they may be able to help. They may even request you send them a couple of pieces for analysis.
The biggest issue is the time that has passed since you purchased.
Would hurt to give them a call or send an email.
Patrick