17 HMR Splitting Nearly Every Case

[riverside jeep]

I had the same problem, split necks. then started to get hang fires. What the heck! I started looking and the necks were split on about half of the new rounds in the box! Hornady did replace my ammo with out much hassle.

 

[jjhall91]

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.

In the past I did ignore an occasional split. But now I'm up to over 80% splitting. That shouldn't be happening to that extent should it? Also, if you enlarge the picture you'll see that now not only the necks are split, but the split is running 1/8 to 3/16" down the case itself. It seems to longer with time.

How often do you get splits?

 

[jjhall91]

I had the same problem, split necks. then started to get hang fires. What the heck! I started looking and the necks were split on about half of the new rounds in the box! Hornady did replace my ammo with out much hassle.

That's good to hear. If/when Hornady gets back to me maybe they can shed some light on the subject.

The only thing regarding the situation is: my friend with his 17 using my ammo only got 1 split in 10 rounds. I get about 8 splits out of 10 with my gun. That's some kind of indicator.

 

[jjhall91]

I had the same problem, split necks. then started to get hang fires. What the heck! I started looking and the necks were split on about half of the new rounds in the box! Hornady did replace my ammo with out much hassle.

After reading your post, I got on the phone to Hornady and asked why I hadn't received a response after this period of time. The technical rep (Shannon) apologized and immediately offered to send me directions to ship a box of 50 from each lot, along with the split cases, at their expense.

Interestingly enough, he was as concerned with the length of the split (down the neck and about 1/8" or so into the body).

I offered to wait on the process until I received the headspace gauge to assure that headspace wasn't the issue, but he said it would do no harm to check these out.

Admittedly, I'm far from an expert in the matter, however, I can't help feel somehow it has to do with the chamber. I'll use the headspace gauge (this leads me to another question), but if it shows "go", and the brass/loads turn out ok, then I'm going to send the rifle back to Savage if for no other reason than to determine how/why it got in this condition.

 

[jjhall91]

I have a barrel vice and action wrench I use to set the headspace on my centerfire rifles. Could anyone tell me what I need to do the same with the 17 HMR? More specifically, what wrench and where can I find one. I'm sure the barrel vice I have will work.

I would appreciate hearing from anyone that has headspaced a rimfire letting me know how to go about it (the pitfalls). Can I assume it's identical to the centerfire process?

Thanks,
Jack

 

[Lucky Shooter]

I went through the same problem and found, by inspecting unfired rounds,
that the brass was already cracked or showing signs of incipient cracking.

This was reported to Hornady and they gave it a look and replaced it.

Might be a good idea to set up and inspect some of what you have.

A more serious problem, in my opinion, is that the cracks allow air into the
case and possibly deteriorate the powder.

A. Weldy

 

[jjhall91]

I went through the same problem and found, by inspecting unfired rounds,
that the brass was already cracked or showing signs of incipient cracking.

This was reported to Hornady and they gave it a look and replaced it.

Might be a good idea to set up and inspect some of what you have.

A more serious problem, in my opinion, is that the cracks allow air into the
case and possibly deteriorate the powder.

A. Weldy

Coincidentally, the rep said nearly the same thing. My lot was said to be only about 4 years old. He said they normally find this in loads that are at least 7 years old. He added he'd seen cracks appear in old brass that was still in the box. (He did mention as one poster said that a 3rd party makes 90% of the loads for private label.)

Could you elaborate a little more regarding the effects of powder deterioration. I know it raises heck with accuracy, and that's bad enough, but is there potential for something more detrimental?

This has been a very good education for me!

Thanks,
Jack

 

[Lucky Shooter]

Loss of accuracy is bad enough---but---what about eventual
loss of energy to the point that you get a bullet stuck in the barrel
and are unaware of it ?

This might be a wild imagination working overtime---but---you
paid for good ammunition and should get what you paid for.

A. Weldy

 

[jjhall91]

Loss of accuracy is bad enough---but---what about eventual
loss of energy to the point that you get a bullet stuck in the barrel
and are unaware of it ?

This might be a wild imagination working overtime---but---you
paid for good ammunition and should get what you paid for.

A. Weldy

I can't believe I didn't realize that, myself! Yes, that can definitely be catastrophic. Some years ago a guy on the bench way down from me had a load in his .308 that he primed and seated the lead, but never put any powder in it. The primer was enough to lodge the bullet in the barrel. Apparently, he thought it cleared the barrel and loaded another 180 grain and fired. I'm not sure the extent of the injury, but he was taken to the hospital so it couldn't have been good.

It's definitely not your imagination!

 

[rr2030]

In the past I did ignore an occasional split. But now I'm up to over 80% splitting. That shouldn't be happening to that extent should it? Also, if you enlarge the picture you'll see that now not only the necks are split, but the split is running 1/8 to 3/16" down the case itself. It seems to longer with time.

How often do you get splits?

Randomly, and I get them with new fresh ammo also. There may be something to the "chamber size" argument, but I am through pursuing an answer. It shots safely and reasonably accurately. I'm done unless something drastically changes with my observations.

 

[jjhall91]

Randomly, and I get them with new fresh ammo also. There may be something to the "chamber size" argument, but I am through pursuing an answer. It shots safely and reasonably accurately. I'm done unless something drastically changes with my observations.

I can see your point. As long as it shoots, that's what matters.

My brass is cracking so far down the case, itself, it's a little disconcerting.

 

[OLeveraction]

I said head space but thinking it was more a case issue than chamber issue.
I do a comparative measurement on the cases first.

 

[rr2030]

I can see your point. As long as it shoots, that's what matters.

My brass is cracking so far down the case, itself, it's a little disconcerting.

I can't recall for sure, but I believe my cases were cracked in the neck, possibly in the shoulder also but definitely not down past the shoulder case body junction.

 

[wagonman]

10-12years ago the 17mach2 shooters were dealing with this problem seams every body had a theory from improper annealing before or after cases were formed to chamber tolerances neck, shoulder, to 8-10 year ammo having to much crimp tension causing splits on loaded ammo my large stock of ammo eley, rem, and cci was bought in 2006 for 35.00 a brick my cz 452 still doesn't split necks on firing this 15yr old ammo

 

[jjhall91]

10-12years ago the 17mach2 shooters were dealing with this problem seams every body had a theory from improper annealing before or after cases were formed to chamber tolerances neck, shoulder, to 8-10 year ammo having to much crimp tension causing splits on loaded ammo my large stock of ammo eley, rem, and cci was bought in 2006 for 35.00 a brick my cz 452 still doesn't split necks on firing this 15yr old ammo

I wish I'd bought a 452 before they discontinued them. From what I hear there not getting the same results from the newer model.

I know many things point to brass, itself, and I was sure that was the cause, but after only one split in my friends gun after 10 shots I'm not so sure it's the loads, but maybe the chamber as some have said.

 

[jjhall91]

I said head space but thinking it was more a case issue than chamber issue.
I do a comparative measurement on the cases first.

I'm sending a dozen or so empties per the tech's request when I send in the two lots of 50. He said they'll mic them up to see.

I was first to mention the possibility of headspace. Interestingly enough, he asked me to place the empties base down on a hard, level surface to see if there was any wobble or difficulty staying upright. He said while this wasn't conclusive, it sometimes would expose headspace (first time I've ever heard of that).

 

[Fern]

A friend lost his cz 452 with a Hornady case two years ago. It ruptured and split the stock and blew the bottom metal and mag out.
he sent it to cz on Hornady dime and they repaired or replaced it but doesn’t shoot nearly as good as the one that blew up.
it was old ammo like 10 years old

 

[CJ6]

I had a Taurus Tracker revolver that split the cases quite often, Like 3-4 cases out of 3 cylinders.. Turned out to be the cylinder chambers were over sized. I went back and forth with Taurus on this and they never did do anything about it. The shop owner was good enough to take it back an I bought a S&W . I haven't looked at a Taurus since.

 

[jjhall91]

A friend lost his cz 452 with a Hornady case two years ago. It ruptured and split the stock and blew the bottom metal and mag out.
he sent it to cz on Hornady dime and they repaired or replaced it but doesn’t shoot nearly as good as the one that blew up.
it was old ammo like 10 years old

That's a little scary and another reason why I won't be shooting the 17 until I hear from Hornady and/or Savage. (It cost me $49 to send the rifle back to Savage Arms. I hated that!) Hornady gave me a label so no charge. In my case, because I had others shoot the same ammo and they had only one split neck, I've got to believe it's the chamber and not the loads, but we'll see.

It's frustrating when you have a gun that's a "shooter" and through no fault of your own it fails and you end up with less than you had. It wouldn't surprise me if this happens to me as the gun I sent in shot real well. You never know what you'll get back after repair.

 

[jjhall91]

I had a Taurus Tracker revolver that split the cases quite often, Like 3-4 cases out of 3 cylinders.. Turned out to be the cylinder chambers were over sized. I went back and forth with Taurus on this and they never did do anything about it. The shop owner was good enough to take it back an I bought a S&W . I haven't looked at a Taurus since.

That's what I'm leaning toward, the chamber somehow being the fault.

Taurus should have been quick to work with you as that's a safety issue. They're taking a chance on a liability lawsuit at the least. Hearing this, I would never buy a Taurus. (S&W is quality.)