I was reloading 38-40 cases for my 1889 Marlin rifle when I noticed two fully loaded cases had micro splits in the neck. I reload for all my antique guns and I carefully cull cases for these old shooters. I also fit each reloaded bullet to the chamber or cylinder after completing the reloading process. The two cases in question passed the cull test before processing, they also chambered in the rifle without any sticking. It would have been easy to have fired these two bullets. What damage to the firearm or shooter is at risk?
Micro Splits in Resized Brass
- Thread starter delta-419
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You would have poor neck tension and probably have a "puff" load or even a squib
Probably no damage other than a stuck bullet
I do not load that round but have big splits in 357 in a revolver but the chamber holds it together.
Just my WAG
Can you post a picture? "Micro split"??
Probably no damage other than a stuck bullet
I do not load that round but have big splits in 357 in a revolver but the chamber holds it together.
Just my WAG
Can you post a picture? "Micro split"??
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I've never heard the term "micro split", but a split is a split. It won't hurt you or the gun to use them, but accuracy may suffer.
The price of all components has gone up, but brass is still not that expensive when you consider how many loads you can usually get from one case if you handle it well including using a minimal bell during that part of the process.
The price of all components has gone up, but brass is still not that expensive when you consider how many loads you can usually get from one case if you handle it well including using a minimal bell during that part of the process.
gwpercle
Member
Can you show us these "micro splits " ... 50+ years reloading and have never heard/read this term or had this problem ... Let's see what it is !
Gary
Gary
Miracle Man
US Veteran
I'm with the other guys. I'm not totally sure what you mean by "micro split"? I'm assuming a very small split, but? But again as has been said a split is a split.
I'd hate to say how many 223 brass I've shot and picked up that's been split? Dozens and dozens I'm sure (at the neck). I used to do a lot of annealing back when I was in higher volume 223/AR shooting.
Can you anneal 38-40? Not sure? Not even sure I've ever seen one in person.
Personally I wouldn't shoot one I knew was split. But typically if it's just the neck it will still seal and shoot without issue.
I'd hate to say how many 223 brass I've shot and picked up that's been split? Dozens and dozens I'm sure (at the neck). I used to do a lot of annealing back when I was in higher volume 223/AR shooting.
Can you anneal 38-40? Not sure? Not even sure I've ever seen one in person.
Personally I wouldn't shoot one I knew was split. But typically if it's just the neck it will still seal and shoot without issue.
Kp321
Member
Once the brass splits, it is done for. However splits can be avoided or at least delayed by annealing on a regular basis, say every three loadings. Be careful to anneal only the neck, not the shoulder. The shoulder wants to collapse anyway.
Well, I read "micro splits" as a descriptive term for very small case splits/cracks. What's the confusion? In every day conversation "micro" means very small. Language evolves just like technology...
scooter123
Member
The 38-40 is basically a handgun load and I don't think you'll notice any difference at all in how it shoots. Squibs and poof loads in handgun ammo are not the result of poor neck tension, they are the result of missing powder. What builds the pressure in a handgun ammo is the friction of the bullet in the barrel and the Mass of the bullet accelerating. Compared to these forces the neck tension is nothing.
Model19man
Member
If the rounds work OK it's fine. I would throw away any fired cases with visible cracks.
DWalt
Member
Damage from "microsplits?" I have experienced hundreds of case splits, both rifle and handgun, over all my years behind a trigger. None ever resulted in damage to the gun.
kev74
Member
If I have a case with a split that I didn't notice until after its loaded (almost always 38 special), I'll usually set it aside and give it one last bang, if for no other reason than I don't want to have to pull it.
The ones with split cases seemed to function fine, but maybe sound a little different.
The ones with split cases seemed to function fine, but maybe sound a little different.
Baltimoreed11754
Member
Ive fired pistol and revolver cases with the beginnings of a crack on the mouth with no issues. I mark the case head with a sharpie if I find it after I've reloaded it then recycle it after I've fired it. I loaded a .45AR case today only to find a 1/4 inch crack. I used my inertia puller on that one and recycled the brass after removing the primer and using it in another case along with the boolit. Never heard of micro splits but I don't use a micro scope on my brass.
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LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Over 50 years of reloading, all done on single-stage presses. Every round is examined and handled repeatedly at every stage of the process.
More than a few times I have found neck splits in reloaded ammunition, after final examination and storage. My conclusion is that the stresses that can cause neck splits occur on their own schedule, without regard to my methods or inspections.
I have fired dozens of rounds with splits evident and seen no discernable differences in performance. Time to send that case to the trash.
Case head separations are an entirely different subject. When the case body remains in the chamber (or resizing die) and the case head is extracted we have a real challenge to deal with.
More than a few times I have found neck splits in reloaded ammunition, after final examination and storage. My conclusion is that the stresses that can cause neck splits occur on their own schedule, without regard to my methods or inspections.
I have fired dozens of rounds with splits evident and seen no discernable differences in performance. Time to send that case to the trash.
Case head separations are an entirely different subject. When the case body remains in the chamber (or resizing die) and the case head is extracted we have a real challenge to deal with.
Alk8944
US Veteran
A case split is a split regardless of how extensive it is. When you fire the cartridge the small split/crack will get larger, and if you try to load it again it will get larger still due to the sizing/expanding operations working the brass.
Go ahead and shoot the cases you have already loaded, a split case will cause no damage to the gun, and there is less than zero chance of injury to the shooter, you will never know until extracting the fired case!
Go ahead and shoot the cases you have already loaded, a split case will cause no damage to the gun, and there is less than zero chance of injury to the shooter, you will never know until extracting the fired case!
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Without seeing the ammo I would say if the bullet is snug and won't move when pushed on just fire the rounds for practice and then toss the case in the scrap bucket. You won't do damage to the gun unless you get a squib and fire another round without leading the barrel.
Fishinfool
Member
Just wanted to add to the above discussion that I would make sure scratches in the brass caused by a piece of grit in the die are not being mistaken for cracks.
Larry
Larry
twodog max
Member
Case necks in 38/40 and 44/40 are well known for being very thin particularly in Winchester brass and in my experience Starline too. The brass does not have the same case life as normal brass. This is actually not by a fault it was to make black powder pressure loads seal the chamber. Case splitting in the 38/40 can be accelerated by higher than usual pressure loadings or simply several loading. Annealing would probably help here as well as care to not overwork the brass when reloading.
I personally would fire and rounds with small splits and discard that particular case. Large splits, in my judgement, I would break down and salvage what I could.
I once had a batch of new Remington 7X57 brass that had been stored for like 30 years and when I did use it a significant number of the case necks split on the first bullet seating. I marked it down as age related and got new brass.
I personally would fire and rounds with small splits and discard that particular case. Large splits, in my judgement, I would break down and salvage what I could.
I once had a batch of new Remington 7X57 brass that had been stored for like 30 years and when I did use it a significant number of the case necks split on the first bullet seating. I marked it down as age related and got new brass.
Hair Trigger
US Veteran
Since you're loading for a lever action rifle, I'd be most wary of a loss of neck tension, allowing setback of the bullet from compression in the magazine. Beyond that, shoot the ones you've loaded and then pitch the brass.
I have fired 38 target loads , with as many as 6 micro splits at the rim of the case.
Just the belling & sizing on the case, doing it's thing, nothing more.
When they move down the case, for a poor crimp I will toss the case.
Lots of life left for those cases if light to medium pressures are used.
Enjoy.
Just the belling & sizing on the case, doing it's thing, nothing more.
When they move down the case, for a poor crimp I will toss the case.
Lots of life left for those cases if light to medium pressures are used.
Enjoy.
38-40 is a rifle cartridge..... adapted for pistols. All slope shoulder cartridges are rifle cartridges.
The rifle chambers tend to be a little oversize, plus thin brass and modern smokeless loads equal not the best case life. I mean one good hot load and your cases might not be reloadable again.
I am assuming the "micro-splits" are right on the edge of the cases.....
Trim the split off, shorten the case length and get another load out of it.
The rifle chambers tend to be a little oversize, plus thin brass and modern smokeless loads equal not the best case life. I mean one good hot load and your cases might not be reloadable again.
I am assuming the "micro-splits" are right on the edge of the cases.....
Trim the split off, shorten the case length and get another load out of it.
