1st time with .38 Special

[Marauder2003]

Bought a S&W Bodyguard. My 1st gun in this caliber. Bought a 1000 rounds of steel case Tulammo 130gr FMJ. Not reloads.

Shot a 3rd group of 5 and then the ejector would not move. Managed to get 4 casings out but had to use a rod to push the fifth out. The casing is shown below.

Is this 1 in a 1000? Does it happen more with steel casings? Is it Tulammo?

[Red-Osier]

I have never seen a casing split like that, I've seen them bulge before.

[pdq_wizzard]

I've never shot steal cased 38sp but I know I have had nickle cases do this after about ~10 times being reloaded.

[pacrat]

Your answer is in the link below. Post #4.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=17572517&posted=1#post17572517

just say'n

[Fordtrucks]

I have had 38 and 357 mag cases split like that after a bunch of reloads, the split is not uncommon, but the fact that it was a factory round probably is.

[Eljay]

I've seen some pretty horrible splits from steel that look about like that. It just doesn't expand as gracefully as brass. The stuff's only used on lower end ammo for a reason.

[jericho89]

The steel cases do not have the flexibility of brass to rebound to normal dimensions. You probably only had one case that was stuck to prevent the ejector from working. Next time you shoot if it has issues mark which cylinder it is. If the it keeps happening on the same cylinder then you may have one that is a different spec then the others.

[noylj]

Looks like a common occurrence with .38 Spl and .357 Mag, even with brass cases.
Steel? It's only for one shot and you got your one shot with it. Is that all your gun is worth--cheap Russian steel-cased ammo?
You can measure your chambers and see if one is over-sized.
It is up to you if you want to shoot any more.

[curtru]

Weak steel that breaks rather than stretch. was it cold?

Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk

[Cowboy T]

I have never seen a casing split like that, I've seen them bulge before.

After reloading enough times, I've had .357M cases, and even some R-P .45 Colt cases, split just like that. With the R-P .45 Colt cases, it was after 2-3 reloads (probably a bad batch), and with the .357M, it was after well over 10. When that happens, yes, the revolver's ejector will take a little extra oomph to push it out and eject the cases.

Tried reloading some Boxer/steel Tulammo .45 ACP cases. Worked great. Started getting splits like that after about 5 reloads. Tossed 'em in the steel recycling bucket and called it a bargain. I have no resistance to reloading Boxer/steel cases.