44 MAG split cases.

[Link]

I have some 44 sp that I have been shooting in my 44 mag. They are loaded to min by a friend. I am loosing about 1 out of 6 to split cases. The split is long, about 1/2 of the case. I wonder if it's just work hardened brass ? I have also been shooting my reloads 23 grains of h110 under 200 jhp those cases hold up just fine. Should I resize to fit the cylinder or resize all the way? All the way seems like excessive ?

thanks Link

 

[joshb]

Same thing happens to me. I think it's just work hardened. I shoot mostly Special loads, too. Easier on my hands and more accurate.

 

[bheadboy]

I have shot 1000's of 44m and spcl when you say "loaded to min" how many grains of what powder is he using,

you can get flash burn in loads that are to light and not enough bulk in the big case - they create lots of pressure.

I found bulkier powders like Unique and 240 cast safer and easy on the hand with velocities in the 800fps range, very accurate, '
I use the Keith mold

Bob

 

[bigedp51]

NOTE: I just reread your post and I would not let anyone reload for me, not just for safety reasons but for the very reason you are have problems. Your "friend" is over working "your" brass.

If you are using a carbide die it is very easy to over resize you cases meaning reducing the case diameter. When this is done you over work the brass when the expander enlarges the case diameter. This over working is very prevalent with carbide dies with just a small carbide ring in the base of the die.

Some of the newer carbide dies have a carbide insert that runs the full length of the case like a standard die and do not reduce the case diameter to the degree as other carbide dies do.

You have two choices.

1. Use a standard non-carbide die and adjust the die until your cases fit your chamber for longer case life.

2. Use the carbide die you now have for minimum sizing which may make your sized cases look pot bellied.

Also over belling the case mouth to seat your bullets and a heavy roll crimp will cause the cases to split.

I practice with light loads in my 5 inch S&W model 29 and my brass lasts a long time and the cases are only taper crimped.

Below, the Lyman patent for their M type die expired and many die makers are now using this design. This helps seat the bullet straighter and does not over expand the case mouth. (see center die in photo below)

 

[Baddog0302]

Cases NOT trimmed to a uniform length will end up over belling the longer cases . New cases are seldom the same length. Fired & sized 2 to 3 times and that difference increases. Say the difference in length from shortest to longest it .015, you or your reloader just happens to select one of the shorter cases to set the belling plug to. When he bells the longer cases the bell is much bigger, and those case mouths are work hardened more than the shorter cases.
Measure the length of the cases that have split and those that haven't split .
IF your friend is using a belling die NOT like "B" in the above post and your cases are not the same length you will end up with cases belled like this
\ / to cases like this \ /
+1 for doing your own reloading !!

 

[bigedp51]

The cases the OP is having problems with are loaded by a "friend" so we can talk to the OP all day long and it will not fix the problem of using someone else's reloads.

When the OP reloads his own ammunition the problem goes away. (subtle hint)

 

[Link]

The cases the OP is having problems with are loaded by a "friend" so we can talk to the OP all day long and it will not fix the problem of using someone else's reloads.

When the OP reloads his own ammunition the problem goes away. (subtle hint)

Got The hint. My friend actually gave me some loaded ammo and I will shoot it up to get the brass. He has reloaded for years, [ but who knows ] I reload a bunch, 6ppc, 6br, 30br and a bunch more so after I learn a few little tricks I hope to be adequate. I will only size enough to fit the cylinder easily and put a .007 bell on it then roll crimp. I already don't like h110 or clays.

thanks guys
Link

 

[bheadboy]

I found Unique to be very satisfactory, when handgun sil shooting I used AA 9 in the 44m with 250 sierra match bullets, the recoil was mild as I used only 17gr, I call AA and asked if that was a problem as it was below their min load, they said not at all, I used it for years

it gave 1200fps from 10" freedom arms pistol and was very very accurate.

Bob

 

[DocBII]

bhb,

I tested a number of the 110 series of powders by brand, the VV N-110 was the slowest. Kept brass from splitting and allowed the best fill ratio for the .44 Mag.

HTH,
DocBII