17 HMR Splitting Nearly Every Case

[jjhall91]

I've got a Savage 93r GV that shoots very good at 100 yards. For some reason it's started splitting the case nearly every time. It still maintains the accuracy, but this isn't right. It has done this with 2 different lots of bullets. I clean the gun regularly so I can't understand the excessive chamber pressure.

I've sent an email to Hornady, but haven't received a reply.

Could anyone suggest a cause/cure? It would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jack

 

[EOD Rob]

Id try a different brand to see if it is the ammo maker or the rifle. Sounds like they may have had a bad run of brass. The good side is that its not expensive center fire reloadable brass. I'm leaning to the ammo being the problem and not the rifle.
Have you shot the same ammo through it with no issues?

 

[jpx2rk]

Not uncommon the get a split case on occasion, more frequent with some brands over other brands. Try a different brand or weight bullet if possible.

 

[Kerry Spurgin]

i wonder if it is just work hardened brass.. do you anneal them? do you see this on new brass and reloaded brass??

 

[243winxb]

Brittle brass or a very large, oversize chamber. Compare fired brass diameters to chamber drawings. www.saami.org

 

[Whisky Tahoe Foxtrot]

Use caution, One of our club shooters had a case rupture (Hornady) and it took out his Ruger 17HMR rifle and the magazine. Last I heard it wasn't settled who, either Ruger or Hornady, would cover the damage.

 

[EOD Rob]

Brittle brass or a very large, oversize chamber. Compare fired brass diameters to chamber drawings. www.saami.org

243,
Question! If it was an over sized chamber, do you think he would still be getting good accuracy from the rifle? I dont know enough about that to make a guess. I'd just think it would cause issues with accuracy.

 

[jjhall91]

Id try a different brand to see if it is the ammo maker or the rifle. Sounds like they may have had a bad run of brass. The good side is that its not expensive center fire reloadable brass. I'm leaning to the ammo being the problem and not the rifle.
Have you shot the same ammo through it with no issues?

Yes. I've shot Hornady ammo through it for years without a problem. This is the second lot that has split.

Good thought regarding trying another brand! I do have some A17 ammo that I can try. Thanks.

 

[jjhall91]

Not uncommon the get a split case on occasion, more frequent with some brands over other brands. Try a different brand or weight bullet if possible.

Yes. I'm going to try some A17 and see what happens. Unfortunately, it's happening nearly every time, now.

 

[jjhall91]

i wonder if it is just work hardened brass.. do you anneal them? do you see this on new brass and reloaded brass??

It could very well be that the brass is just to hard direct from the factory. Because these are for an HMR (rimfire) I don't reload.

 

[jjhall91]

Brittle brass or a very large, oversize chamber. Compare fired brass diameters to chamber drawings. www.saami.org

An oversized chamber!? That's a very interesting thought. I guess I didn't consider it because for the first several years I didn't have this problem and can't see how the chamber could enlarge, spontaneously. (Although there are a lot of things I don't know.)

 

[jjhall91]

Use caution, One of our club shooters had a case rupture (Hornady) and it took out his Ruger 17HMR rifle and the magazine. Last I heard it wasn't settled who, either Ruger or Hornady, would cover the damage.

Wow! Thanks for the tip. Hopefully, Hornady will get back with me after I sent them the info and pictures.

 

[jjhall91]

243,
Question! If it was an over sized chamber, do you think he would still be getting good accuracy from the rifle? I dont know enough about that to make a guess. I'd just think it would cause issues with accuracy.

That was my thought as well. I've never had the experience, but it seems a larger chamber would cause some degree of inconsistency/accuracy.

 

[jjhall91]

Thanks, guys! Whether or not I get this thing fixed I appreciate the response(s). I'll try the A17s, tomorrow and post the results.

I'm leaning toward the brittle brass suggestions as it seems to make the most sense considering all the factors.

 

[OLeveraction]

Check your head space, to my eye those necks right at the shoulder look rounded,

 

[jjhall91]

Check your head space, to my eye those necks right at the shoulder look rounded,

This ties in with 243winxb's thought of an enlarged chamber (you have a very good eye). There's no doubt an enlarged chamber (circumference or length) would cause this. Had this happened in my 6 Dasher that's the first thing I'd think of. I don't know why, but I never associated headspace with a factory rimfire. I've learned!

(PT&G advertises a headspace gauge for a 17 HMR. Hopefully, they'll have one in stock.)

Thanks to all the thoughts/suggestions of those on this thread I'll be doing the following this morning:
*shooting a few A17"s in my gun
*have a friend shoot some of my Hornady"s in his 17HMR
*find a local gunsmith (mine is in Ohio)
*based on results, contacting Savage Arms

The first two, above, should go a long way toward isolating the problem.

Thanks for the help! I'll provide the results.

Jack

 

[hogpatrol]

How old is this ammo? IIRC, a couple years back there was a recall on 17HMR ammo. From what I understand, all brands are made by CCI. You may have got a bad batch of brass that slipped by the recall.
May want to try newer manufacture ammo to see if the problem persists.

 

[jjhall91]

How old is this ammo? IIRC, a couple years back there was a recall on 17HMR ammo. From what I understand, all brands are made by CCI. You may have got a bad batch of brass that slipped by the recall.
May want to try newer manufacture ammo to see if the problem persists.

I heard the same thing and have been trying to get a response from Hornady, without any luck. I bought 2 cases (4000 rnds) in 2018 because they were on sale for $8.65/box.

After testing this morning things seem a little more clear.

Thanks for the thought.

 

[jjhall91]

Just got back from the range. The A17s split less in my gun, but still about 40%. The Hornady's only split once in my friends 17 (10 shots).

While it's not definitive, it seems it's not as much the brass as the chamber itself although it may be a combination. I called the gunsmith and he agreed it sounded more like a chamber issue, but did reflect there have been known issues with certain lots of 17 ammo.

All-in-all, and for safety purposes, I think I'll "retire" the 17 and try to find a new one even though every dealer I tried is out of stock. (If any of you guys know where I can find one I'd appreciate hearing.)

Thanks to all you guys for the help in determining the issue. In doing so I've learned a great deal. I'd never have thought regarding the chamber and would still be fumbling around with it, and maybe risking safety. I learned not only about potential bad lots of shells, but the ability/need to headspace a 17HMR.

Thanks again!
Jack

 

[rr2030]

I have a Savage 93R 17 BVSS. Over the years I have had many fired cases with split necks. Hornady said it was old ammo, CCI said it was old ammo. Multiple inquiries such as this thread on several forums. No one has been able to convince me this is anything other than normal for a .17 HMR. Now, I shoot, if they split I ignore it. Nothing bad has happened to me, the rifle or the accuracy, yet.