Case neck separating/resizing.

[Howard Shadix]

Started resizing som once fired .25-06. Decapped and cleaned already of course.
1.Lubed using Hornady unique paste for first time. 2. Using RCBS FL dies I bought 2nd hand, look like never used. Cleaned anyway and set up properly. 3. Did NOT anneal this batch.
I had 6 out of 40 random case necks separate during the neck expansion part of the stroke. The remaining brass seemed to process fine.

Big question…Would you use the 40ish that didn’t separate or throw out?

Less important, what do you think, has this happened to you? I’m not the reloading master but I’ve done a few thousand rounds and never seen this.

I’m cleaning dies again, ordered a complete new decapping/expander rod even though the old one feels perfect.

First time using Unique Case lube. Always used the old RCBS lube and pad without trouble, just a little messier.

Thanks for any input.

 

[Howard Shadix]

It just occurred to me that measuring case length of the ones that did not have trouble, discard any with unusual length. That could indicate incipient separation.
Just don’t want to deal with a case neck jammed in my rifle not to mention any possible safety issues.

 

[BHPSteel]

Case length might be an indicator. A better one is to do what someone (I think palmettomoon ) suggested in a post about 6 months ago for case-head separation.

Get a piece of stiff wire of about the same gauge as a paperclip. bend a small elbow in one end to form a right-angle and file a rough point on it, and then 'feel' the inside of the case down near the shoulder for a crack or ring in the brass. And obviously, inspect the outside of the case.

Were they *literally* once-fired? Maybe it was time for an annealing sequence.

 

[Kman]

I haven't been reloading lately, but no reason to chance rifle and health over a few bucks. How many times have these been reloaded? If you are unsure, toss them. If you are sure, use that as a cut off for re-loading those cases. Me, I would toss them and never look back.

 

[Lightning8]

What brand case? How old?

 

[Howard Shadix]

Case length might be an indicator. A better one is to do what someone (I think palmettomoon ) suggested in a post about 6 months ago for case-head separation.

Get a piece of stiff wire of about the same gauge as a paperclip. bend a small elbow in one end to form a right-angle and file a rough point on it, and then 'feel' the inside of the case down near the shoulder for a crack or ring in the brass. And obviously, inspect the outside of the case.

Were they *literally* once-fired? Maybe it was time for an annealing sequence.

I would try that idea with the paper clip.

Yes, for sure once fired, pulled out of box new myself. 4 Federal, 2 older Remington Peters.

I went ahead and annealed all the remaining brass anyway.

Really appreciate the suggestions/thoughts.

 

[Howard Shadix]

What brand case? How old?

4 Federal, about 4 years old.
2 Remington Peters, unknown age but well kept. No outward indication of anything.
Thanks for thinking about it, all ideas welcome.

 

[BHPSteel]

Last thought - how much are you bumping the shoulders back on that brass (if at all)? That tends to stress brass and might be contributing to the problem.

 

[Howard Shadix]

Last thought - how much are you bumping the shoulders back on that brass (if at all)? That tends to stress brass and might be contributing to the problem.

Good thought, I’m doing a full length resize so I would imagine I’m moving the shoulder the maximum each one can be moved. To be honest I haven’t measured the amount the shoulder moves after firing in my rifle. Pretty much always full length resize but maybe just bumping the shoulder is better. Thanks again!

 

[Lightning8]

I reload a lot as a PRS competitor. I have never seen anything like that. Case head separations are normally below the shoulder and are a product of multiple firing/stretching cycles. Do not think that is a full length sizing issue as those are neck failures.

1) Cases are defective?
2) Cases were originally fired in a rifle with a serious chamber issue?
3) Something wrong with sizing die?

I would get another completely different sample of brass and try again. I would discard the suspect brass.