223ai Case crack

[Oaky]

Has anyone experienced an issue like this? Twice fired starline 556 cases. Only one out of 100 that has done this, so I don’t think it’s an issue with starline. I just personally haven’t experienced this before.

 

[J Cal]

Nothing to add just wondering what bullet/powder/ velocities you running?

 

[RegionRat]

Make sure you clean and inspect the chamber.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Did you clean the soot off?
Suppressed ?

 

[DHD]

I have not but I'm using either Winchester or Lapua. My fireform load is just a standard 223 load (usually I used 24 grains of Varget and a 73 grain Berger jammed .010") and the second firing would be heavier. Perfectly formed after the second firing.

I have never used Starline 223 brass but use it exclusively for revolvers. I consider it good brass. I haven't personally lost a piece of 223AI brass from a split case and some of my Lapua cases have 7 firings. The Winchester will make about 5 and the primer pocket is done but no split cases.

 

[ImBIllT]

I have 10+ firings on Winchester and haven’t lost a case.

I think a handful out of 100 does indicate that the problem is likely the Starline brass. If all your cases did that, then it would be the chamber, or dies, or loading technique. For only a few, it seems like Starline probably has some poor consistency and a few of the cases were like that. I bet if you sawed 10-20 cases in half on a bandsaw you’d find a few that were really thin on one side.

 

[L.Sherm]

Try annealing before you fireform

 

[White Eagle]

not with that same cartrige but another I have had issues with cracking and Starline cases
seems like the only one's that did crack
I anealed the cases and that helped but it occsionally happens still
most were in the neck area

 

[Bill K]

Could be just a bad case with one slipping through quality control. You are not using a small base sizing die are you ? I would also anneal them again.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Annealing is probably NOT a cure for body cracks.

 

[Walt Krafft]

I have had a few cases fail like that over the years. Usually first or second firing. From about all makes of brass. Pitch it and move on.

 

[Eagle1899]

I have had Dakota marked 223 brass (Lapua) do that. It was fire formed to 223AI as well. No idea the cause.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Pitch it?
Toss it in the bucket and use it for calibrating your annealer

 

[Oaky]

Nothing to add just wondering what bullet/powder/ velocities you running?

23.5gr varget, 77gr Berger otm jammed .010 haven’t shot it over the chronograph yet.

 

[Oaky]

Did you clean the soot off?
Suppressed ?

Yes I wiped it off to inspect it. No suppressor

 

[ImBIllT]

Try annealing before you fireform

That far down the case?

 

[Oaky]

I have not but I'm using either Winchester or Lapua. My fireform load is just a standard 223 load (usually I used 24 grains of Varget and a 73 grain Berger jammed .010") and the second firing would be heavier. Perfectly formed after the second firing.

I have never used Starline 223 brass but use it exclusively for revolvers. I consider it good brass. I haven't personally lost a piece of 223AI brass from a split case and some of my Lapua cases have 7 firings. The Winchester will make about 5 and the primer pocket is done but no split cases.

My load is very close to this with 23.5gr of varget and a 77 Berger otm jammed .010

 

[Gary in MD]

Probably just a fluke, bad batch of brass, or just bad quality control….

 

[Oaky]

Probably just a fluke, bad batch of brass, or just bad quality control….

Kind of what I’m thinking. I have 200 more pieces to fire form, guess we’ll see.

 

[L.Sherm]

That far down the case?

Could be just a bad case but it never hurts to anneal before you fireform an AI case