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Newbie Reloader Needs Help … 223 Rem Brass Split In Half

I’ve been reloading for one year. Today at the range I had something strange happen. After firing my 223 Rem (CVA Cascade SB), when I pulled the bolt back the case ejected in two (2) parts. The case parted around the middle. The photo shows the parting of the brass In the middle. BTW, I scored a X with this shot. This is the second time this week this has happened. The full length case shows a ring around the middle of the brass. I believe both have been fired 5 times. These are Starline brass, CCI400 primers, Hornady 55gr FMJ-BT, CFE223 26.0gr. Please help me figure out what’s going on. Thanks, KeithA342E373-3F6A-4D7E-8078-5F5C2B82178E.jpeg
 
Those cases are toast. You've likely been oversizing the cases causing them to overly stretch upon firing. Unbend a paper clip and put a small bend on the end of the wire. You'll be able to feel on the inside of the case where it is going to fail, right where you see the ring on the circumference of the case.
 
Take a factory round and compare both, the one you reloaded and the factory see if your sizing to much or chk the shoulder bump compared to the factory, maybe not sure...I don't know alot about 223
 
when u size a case running the ram up to touch the base of the die is the wrong way to chk sizing, have the rifle beside you and bump the shoulders back until the case chambers nicely, always use the rifle to verify shoulder setup, unless you have specs on the chambered barrel, the ram touching the bottom of the die will get you in trouble quick, especially on a factory rifle
 
You need a case gauge and then work backwards from there. I like the Sheridan Slotted Gauges.


GRtEAc7l.jpg
 
As others have mention you are setting the shoulder back to far each sizing session.
Adjust you die to just tough the shoulder of a original fired (first time) case and leave lock it into place with the die ring. You should end your problem and the case will not be overworked and create the separation.
 
You could be setting your shoulders too far back. You could have an oversize chamber. You could have your sizing die set incorrectly. Good luck without a case gauge. Where to start?
 
You hardly ever get everyone agreeing on a problem, so you know they are right.
Don't try to fire the rest of that brass. Just throw it away and buy some more
and then read up on how to properly size a fired case so this won't happen anymore.
Or ask here.
We all have made mistakes, learn from it. Just be glad you didn't get hurt.
 
when u size a case running the ram up to touch the base of the die is the wrong way to chk sizing, have the rifle beside you and bump the shoulders back until the case chambers nicely, always use the rifle to verify shoulder setup, unless you have specs on the chambered barrel, the ram touching the bottom of the die will get you in trouble quick, especially on a factory rifle
I used to use a case headspace gauge but moved to what 6MM says. It ensures the cases are sized just right.
 
I’ve been reloading for one year. Today at the range I had something strange happen. After firing my 223 Rem (CVA Cascade SB), when I pulled the bolt back the case ejected in two (2) parts. The case parted around the middle. The photo shows the parting of the brass In the middle. BTW, I scored a X with this shot. This is the second time this week this has happened. The full length case shows a ring around the middle of the brass. I believe both have been fired 5 times. These are Starline brass, CCI400 primers, Hornady 55gr FMJ-BT, CFE223 26.0gr. Please help me figure out what’s going on. Thanks, KeithView attachment 1535564
you are lucky both pieces came out easy. often times the one farthest in will be stuck in there. like bozo said you have incipient case head seperation. any time you see those rings thats what is happening. you could grind one side out of a case with one and look in there and see it. these guys are all right. probably from sizing the shoulder to far back.
send those cases to the scrap bucket. i used to size my cases by running the die down just until my bolt closed. that worked ok. now i use a sinclair bump gage. that gives me a better idea what is going on and i can monitor bump as small as .001– need a good caliper to use one of these. you need a good caliper if youre loading at all so get one of them to if you dont have it.
 
I have a theory.
When I first started reloading I actually read the instructions that came with my dies, and I set them up to "cam over" slightly. This caused me to have excessive headspace, but I did not know it at the time. I caught it when I started looking for problems with sooty cartridge cases and found out that I was sizing incorrectly. Right here. On this forum over 15 years ago.
Dig around here in the search for "shoulder bump" and "proper headspace". Then get one of these - https://www.hornady.com/reloading/p...s-and-gauges/lock-n-load-bullet-comparator#!/
Welcome aboard.

Edit - Sorry. That ^^^^^ is an incredibly useful tool that you will also want as well; but, this is the one I meant. https://www.hornady.com/headspace-bushings#!/
 
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Incipient Case-Head Separation !….​

Thats what you got going on!… your pushing your shoulders back too far when your sizing your brass.
Wayne

That one in the pic is no longer "incipient" though...

But yeah; the replies are all correct. I really wish the manufacturers would revamp their die setup instructions and make them a little more real-worldly. I think they write these as if shooters will only reload a case once.
 
I had this happen one time and was caused by a case trimer scoring the brass right where your is. Have you trimmed the brass ?
 
Unless in a bolt rifle, you have trouble chambering a round no need to bump
 
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That one in the pic is no longer "incipient" though...

But yeah; the replies are all correct. I really wish the manufacturers would revamp their die setup instructions and make them a little more real-worldly. I think they write these as if shooters will only reload a case once.
Depends on which one in the picture your looking at
Wayne
 

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