Split case neck question

[EBWhite]

Just purchased a box of Polish 7.62x25 to shoot in a CZ-52. I read online that with the hard crimp used on the brass case, splitting was typical. However, out of 70 rounds, prob over 50 have a small split - which only goes approx 1/8 inch long. only on the neck- not near the powder. People tell me it is safe to shoot and throw away but I wanted another opinion.

What do you guys think.

[762cavalier]

I think they are perfectly fine to shoot. as long as the split is in the neck area there should be no problem. They are berdan primed so not easily reloadable, and can just be discarded.

[courteousgavin]

One thing to watch out for is bullets getting pushed deeper into the case because of the split neck. This can cause higher pressure. I've fired lots of 8mm Mauser ammo with split necks, but this was through a bolt action and it was easy to check each round before firing. With a semi-auto, maybe recoil can effect the rounds in the magazine.

[Turbinator]

Ok, I'm not an expert, but here's my opinion anyway, since this is a free forum.

I've been reloading for about 10+ years now, exclusively pistol (haven't done rifle yet). In the various calibers I reload, I sometimes run across split necks (I'm shooting straight walled ammo). I usually toss those out!

The reason is because the brass is there for a reason, it serves to help contain the hot gases and pressure when a round is fired. It is my belief (not substantiated by any scientific proof or testing) that if your brass continues to split, you expose the chamber to the hot gases and flame, and eventually you may experience faster than normal chamber erosion. Unless you plan on changing your barrels periodically, I suspect this is not a good thing long term.

The other problem is that when you shoot, the case walls obviously expand. This expansion puts more stress on the case. If the walls expand enough to accentuate the case split, and the split goes lengthwise down the whole case, you could be letting hot gases and bits of brass or burning powder fly out of the case / ejection port, potentially creating a safety hazard.

I'd be a little hesitant to shoot cases that showed excessive splits. A little bit shouldn't be an issue, but over the long term, I don't think it's worth taking the risk.

IMHO only, I have not done extensive testing or research on this.

Turby

[M. Sage]

You can actually FIND the brass after you shoot your CZ52? Mine's tossing the brass 15 feet.

[Mirage]

I get an occasional neck split with Romanian surplus 7.65x25.
I should have looked this up and posted it some time ago, but it is a pretty wide spread warning in the CZ 52 circles.

http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Gorge/4653/bad.htm

http://www.gunboards.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=21003

[rayra]

Topic seems to have gotten badly mixed up between cases found to be split AFTER firing, and cases with splits in them being (re-)used.
I believe the original poster is stating they are found to be split after firing.
It happens. It can even happen frequently if a firearm's chamber is deliberately oversized to offset problems from fouling or the poor maintenance likely to be received from conscript troops.
I get the occasional split in my 1911, but that is usually from a case that has been fired and resized too many times (overstressing and weakening the brass) or from a case used by someone else who used a smaller sizing die.
And I NEVER use a case if it is found to be split, fired or unfired.

I thought I had a good pic of a case split but can't find it, so here's some reloading goodness for no reason at all:

[Fate]

I've got some 7.62 x 25 that often splits up at the neck/shoulder after firing it in my TT-33. It's no big deal.

[maxicon]

I've also got a bunch of surplus 7.62x25 that has splits after firing - sometimes at the neck, sometimes along the body.

I wouldn't shoot ammo that was split before firing. I'd toss it.

max

[EBWhite]

it is lightly split, on the crimp area- never fired factory loaded military ammo. polish.

[rayra]

I'm really curious how on earth a (roll?) crimp is making a case split. doesn't make sense to me. When a crimp is put on a case it is undergoing compression - shouldn't be any forces causing a split.
Maybe the brass alloy is brittle and the split is happening during forming or during expansion / belling of the case mouth prior to bullet seating, then the crimp is applied to an already damaged case.

Any way you can take and post a clear image of this damage. Really curious about the appearance of the damage.

[EBWhite]

These where not just roll crimped but have three deep dots crimped into the case. ill try and post a photo