Cartridge case separation

[larmar1942]

I recently fired my brand new Winchester Model 1873 chambered in 38/357. The very first shot separated the cartridge case cleanly in half. The bullet exited cleanly, but the top half of the cartridge is stuck in the chamber. I was able to eject the bottom half. I have already tried the obvious solutions ie ramrod, etc. Any suggestions? Larry

 

[Kp321]

Bend a 45 cleaning brush into an "L" , cram in into the chamber and pull it back out. It should pull the broken brass out with it.

 

[TJm15.38]

First, let me say I have never had this problem, so I am as much in the dark as you are about how to get that portion of the case out of the chamber. However, doing a bit of research, I found this interesting video from a guy who had a similar problem and how he fixed it. It may be tougher to use this method on a Winchester lever action.

 

[larmar1942]

First, let me say I have never had this problem, so I am as much in the dark as you are about how to get that portion of the case out of the chamber. However, doing a bit of research, I found this interesting video from a guy who had a similar problem and how he fixed it. It may be tougher to use this method on a Winchester lever action.

Thanks for the tip

 

[Rule3]

Maybe ask to have this moved to gunsmithing or reloading?

 

[stansdds]

Was the ammo reloads or re-manufactured or factory new ammo? This might be a case of one piece of bad brass, but it might also be indicative of a chamber or head space issue. You might be wise to contact the manufacturer of the rifle and the ammo regarding the case head separation.

 

[Reloader Fred]

It happens on occasion. I've seen it a couple of times, and experienced it with a 10mm AR that wasn't set up with the proper spring. If you can't get it out with the usual cleaning rod solutions, another way to do it is with Cerro Safe, which is getting hard to find, but works. You just plug the barrel just in front of the offending stuck case and melt the Cerro Safe into the chamber, using a small flame. Then push it out with a cleaning rod, or squib rod. Cerro Safe has a very low melting temperature, and is intended for chamber casts. Don't to it with molten lead, though. If you spill into the action, lead will wrap around everything and be hard to get out, though the Model 73 action is a simple one.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[H Richard]

If the "brush" method doesn't get it out, a tap of the proper dimension that will just cut into the neck brass can be "screwed" in and with it in a T-Handle pull the front half of the case out.
I used to shoot a 7X30 Waters (reformed from 30-30 brass) and quite often had case head separations in the Thompson Contender.

 

[SASFixer]

I recently fired my brand new Winchester Model 1873 chambered in 38/357. The very first shot separated the cartridge case cleanly in half. The bullet exited cleanly, but the top half of the cartridge is stuck in the chamber. I was able to eject the bottom half. I have already tried the obvious solutions ie ramrod, etc. Any suggestions? Larry

Push out the remaining with an oversized bronze cleaning brush on a ramrod. If that doesn't work a partial chamber cast with cerrosafe will take it out.

 

[hike]

Case extractors are made for many calibers. Brownell's and other parts supplies houses should have them. A professional gunsmith should be able to suggest both sources for case extractors, how to use them and how they remove stuck cases.