Model 28-2 and split cases

[RedTape]

I just got my first .357 S&W, a 28-2 N299xxx 6". It came with a couple hundred reloads, 158gr semi-jacketed soft points, 7.1gr of Unique, CCI Mag primers and various nickel cases. Out of 50 rds I had 4 cases split all the way down one side.

None of the loads felt hot or sounded different. I didn't pay attention to the first one because I thought it was a fluke. The last 3 were all with Frontier nickel cases. It happened with at least two different cylinders.

I'm hoping this is just a problem with the reloads. Could there be a problem with the gun (cylinder) that would cause this? Any way I can check the cylinders and see if they are damaged?

Thanks for the ideas.

 

[Crabtree]

I wouldn't think it's a gun problem....almost guarantee it's a cartridge problem. I would guess the case mouths were belled too much before seating the bullets. I have heard (read not experienced) that nickel can be more brittle than brass and may split if belled improperly.

 

[ronnie gore]

reloads

yes it is the reloads, my rule is i never shoot anyone's reloads, and i don't let anyone shoot mine. the brass was fatigued from too many loadings or just bad brass as i had some federal 32 mag brass that would crack after one loading.

 

[Ed45]

yes it is the reloads, my rule is i never shoot anyone's reloads, and i don't let anyone shoot mine. the brass was fatigued from too many loadings or just bad brass as i had some federal 32 mag brass that would crack after one loading.

What he said!

 

[Fishslayer]

So what exactly is the worst...

...that can happen when the case splits?

I've caught split cases in .45ACP, .357 & .44 Magnum reloads. The only ones I'm absolutely certain that I fired were the .44s. Never felt anything unusual & didn't actually catch 'em till sorting later. They were range bought reloads so my guess is much used brass.

I have to confess that I don't really pay much attention to how many times I've reloaded a particular piece of brass. I'm still new enough that a lot of my "purchased new" brass is still on it's first time around. Mostly I use pickups for .45ACP & light target .357 loads.

To my knowlege I haven't fired an already split case. They're pretty obvious when they go into the sizing die.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Since you have no idea how many times those cases were reloaded it's almost certainly the cases and not the gun. I agree with the others, I wouldn't shoot reloads made by someone else. Mistakes can and will happen and with my luck they will happen to me because I shot someone's reloads...

 

[Rule3]

You are not alone. I had 2 split cases the other day. Nickel 357. It's not your gun just old brass. Get rid of them, not worth it for 100 pieces of brass.

I did a stupid thing. I got over 100 rounds of hand loaded 357's from my gun shop for free. I spent the time breaking them down with a bullet puller hammer (smart part). I then reloaded them with my powder and my bullets as the bullets where all a mish mash.

After firing them I threw them in with my "good" used dirty brass and then realized some of them where pretty old.(stupid part)

So I have no way to cull them out until they split.

These all split right in the center not at the mouth.

 

[RedTape]

I think your guys are right. Bad reloads. I shot 45 of my own light reloads with no problems, some of my own hotter reloads and both Remington and Federal factory ammo. I had no split cases.

What was weird about the first one's is that they were split worst in the center of the case and crack got smaller as it moved toward the edges of the brass. I've seen the edges split from over belling, but I've never seen them split this bad in the center of the case.

 

[parabarbarian]

The nickel plating does shorten the life of the brass. The plating process is electro-chemical and hydrogen ions in the solution migrate into the surface of the brass making it less ductile. This is known, unsurprisingly, as hydrogen embrittlement. However, the nickel increases corrosion resistance and make for easier extraction so the trade off can be worth it. After working up a nice hot load for a Marlin 1894 I will use new or once fired nickel cases for the ammo I carry into the field.

 

[Roadranger]

Old nickle brass often split from age and metal fatique. One time, years ago, when I was in LE, we shot about 1500 rounds of new R-P 357 factory ammo per shooter in about 3 days at an FBI school. The ammo had gotten wet while being stored. Some of it split on the first firing. I collected the rest. Nobody can predict when a brass is going to split and they usually do so without notice. The only place for a split brass is in the recycle bin. Bob!

 

[RedTape]

The brass all looks good when loaded, obviously there's no way to know when one is going to split. Like I said, I've had the edges start to crack on well used brass but I've never had any split this bad.

Could the split cases have damaged the cylinders? This gun shot great with everything I put through it, including the reloads that split. Hate to think I might have damaged the cylinder.

 

[Rule3]

No, not likely. The cylinder is much harder and stronger than brass.

It happens. Usually the only way you know is when you try to eject them, the split ones will stick.

For the price of 100 pieces of brass why risk it? There is no way to tell which are good or bad.