Federal .32 Magnum case ruptures

[Telecaster]

I'm speculating on the cause of case ruptures in brand new factory ammo. If it's a factory issue I'll contact Federal, but if it's something else I want to know what.

Cartridge: Federal .32 H&R Magnum 85gr JHP
Gun: Charter Arms Professional
Stats: 10 of 14 cartridges fired have ruptures from the mouth about 1/3 the way toward the base.

Other cartridges of this type do not rupture. .32 S&W Long does not rupture. One of these factory Magnum cartridges uses Starline brass - I forget the brand, it's not one of the big names.

 

[SuperMan]

Love Federal ammo and brass but for whatever reason their .32 Magnum and .327 Federal splits a LOT.

I've gone to all Starline for those calibers....never any trouble with any other caliber they make.

Two friends who are big into .32s have experienced the same thing...

Bob

 

[CH4]

I had the same thing happen to me with Federal .32 H&R Magnum 85 gr JHP ammo in July. The case split from the mouth for about 1/3 the case's length.

Concurrently, I had repeated squib rounds from 335 count bulk pack of Federal .22lr. I was told to return it with the .32 H&R ammo. I was told my bulk pack was from a lot being recalled for bad crimps. I received the replacement bulk and pack, but still awaiting my replacement .32 ammo.

 

[Telecaster]

Hearing this, I don't think I want a replacement box! Something in another caliber, maybe.

 

[ContinentalOp]

FWIW, I experienced the exact same kinds of ruptured cases with some Remington .38 Special ammo. Fortunately, didn't have bullets stuck in the bore and no damage to my chambers. Did have to use pliers to get the cases out. I sent them some of the cases and the remaining boxes of ammo I had and they reimbursed me for it all. They said it was defective, I think some bad brass, IIRC.

 

[gwrench]

I was gifted some older boxes of Federal 32 H&R in the last year or so and had the same experience. A couple of articles in Handloader led me to believe this was a problem with the early production of their ammo, bad brass in other words.

I haven't bought any new ammo so I can't offer anything more. No problems with component brass, (mostly Starline).

 

[Muley Gil]

I saw a bag of .327 brass at my LGS and remembered this problem. Needless to say, it is still there.

 

[Sistema1927]

Federal loads its .327 HOT!

I have flattened primers and difficult extraction using it in m SP101.

Other brands, no problems.

 

[mmaher94087]

I blasted through my boxes of .32 H&R Mag. with no ammo problems after getting a replacement revolver from Ruger. The original, brand new, SP101 locked solid after only 18 rounds. Ruger scrapped it and sent a new one.

 

[Erich]

This thread may be of interest:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/ammo/3...onse-after-ammo-problems.html?highlight=Split

 

[H Richard]

That kind of case split I experienced back in the 80's with 45 ACP brass (once fired military TZZ head stamp). Several of us split a 10,000 round order of brass, and 90% was this TZZ head stamp. Probably 33% of it after being reloaded (with mild bullseye loads), and shot ended up with this kind of split cases. It was determined the brass was an incorrect alloy and brittle.

 

[ddixie884]

I was gifted some older boxes of Federal 32 H&R in the last year or so and had the same experience. A couple of articles in Handloader led me to believe this was a problem with the early production of their ammo, bad brass in other words.

I haven't bought any new ammo so I can't offer anything more. No problems with component brass, (mostly Starline).

Newer brass by federal is known to be better than some of the early runs...............