Question about case rupture

[Bopper]

I was given some .30cal on stripper clips (30.06). The ammo looks fairly old and there was some mild discoloration on a few of the cases which I've discarded. I fired about 40 rounds of what remained with my M1 Garand. Everything seemed fine with the ammo, accurate, consistent, fed well, etc. When collecting my brass I noticed these (3) cases which ruptured. The unfired rounds do not show any evidence of having been previously fired.

My question is: Is this ammo safe? What causes this rupturing?

[SanPedroShooter]

I was given some WWII 42 stamped .303 British loaded with cordite and they split also.

I am reloader with a couple years experience. I also load 30/06 for a Garand.

It appears to be a case head separation, although more common in my experiance to see them split across as opposed to up and down . A fairly common occurrence for worn out brass. I don't know about older ammo splitting, but like Ive said, Ive seen it before.

The uniformity of the split is interesting.

What does the headstamp on the case say?

[Czsp-01-9mm]

My question is: Is this ammo safe? What causes this rupturing?

Pretty common on old surplus ammo, what's on the headstamp though some are worse then others when it come to this

[Bopper]

F A 28

[SanPedroShooter]

Frankford Arsenal 1928.... That is olllld ammo. I would save the rest. Might be worth money to a collector.


In 1928 selected lots of standard issue M1 ball ammunition were used (FA 28),

Do you still have the stuff you threw out, lol... Send it to me.

[Bopper]

Wow. Good info SanPedro. I guess that explains the stripper clips. Do those ruptures harm the weapon in any way?

Thanks again for the prompt and helpful info.

[SanPedroShooter]

Wow. Good info SanPedro. I guess that explains the stripper clips. Do those ruptures harm the weapon in any way?

Thanks again for the prompt and helpful info.

I don't know dude. I can say for sure its not good when a case ruptures.

The expanding gas is searching for an escape and finds a weak spot in the case head/wall junction.

I don't think it will hurt a gun like a Garand. Might want to clean out the chamber real good though, its probably got burnt crud on the walls.

John Garands masterwork is built like a tank. I doubt a little burning gas will hurt it.

Unless you have a huge pile of it, I might try and sell it instead of shooting it. People do buy old headstamped rounds. Especially from a US Government arsenal.

[Fjold]

That old ammo has corrosive primers. Strip your Garand down completely and clean it all really well.