45 Colt split case: Likely Bad Brass, not pressure problems (8gr Unique, 250gr LRNFP)

[Odd_Ball]

I'm starting to reload 45 colt in a Uberti 1873 El Patron using Unique, and set up a ladder from 6.3 grains to 8.1 grains in 0.2 increments, along with 30 extra rounds at 8.0 grains. 80 rounds total. This is under a 250 grain MBC coated RNFP .452 bullet (Cowboy #1) in once fired Remington brass cases and CCI 300 primers, 1.586" to 1.588" OAL with a moderate crimp. I fired them off at the range the other day and had relatively good one hand (unsupported) accuracy at 7.1 grains and 7.9/8.0 grains at 10 yards. I didn't notice anything unusual blast or recoil wise, but when checking the brass that night I saw that one of the 8.0 grain cases had split vertically about 0.2" below the case mouth.

45 colt - split case (from inside) (682x1024).jpg 45 colt - split case (1024x682).jpg

Is this a pressure problem with 8.0 grains of Unique?? Or is this a sign of bad brass? The split kind of reminds me of how surplus 7.62x54r steel cases sometimes split after being fired in a Mosin. Btw, the cases were all sooty even among the 8.0 grain loads, though to a lesser degree than the smaller 6.x and 7.x grain loads.

How close to maximum load for a colt clone I am here depends on the source. The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook shows min 6.3gr(754fps) to max 8.2gr (931fps) at 1.570" OAL for the 250 gr Lyman 452664 bullet, which does look pretty similar to the MBC Cowboy #1 bullet. On the other hand, the Lee Modern Reloading book shows min 8.4 gr(839fps) to max 9.5gr (941fps) of Unique at 1.600" for a 250 grain "lead bullet". Similarly, the Alliant Powder load data for Unique and a 250 gr Speer LSWC happens to also show a max load at 9.5 gr (941fps) at 1.6" OAL. Most of the internet advice for this bullet weight/powder aligns with the Lee/Alliant load data.

I am inclined to think this is a brass issue, but I'm wondering what others think. Brass was formerly from Remington Target Load 225 gr LSWC ammo, which leaded horribly with awful accuracy at 7 yards. It was awful ammo, at least in this revolver.

[MongooseV8]

I doubt its an over pressure issue. The 45 Colt case can support a lot of pressure. My guess would be either brass or a chamber issue.

Btw Unique almost always shoots kinda dirty, so the soot wont tell you much.

[elk hunter]

How many times has this brass been loaded? are the chambers a little on the oversize side (big)?

[kcstott]

8.0 grain of unique is not a pressure issue. thats a brass problem. Cases are to hard and the sides split. happens with bad brass. Not saying remington is bad ammo but everyone has a bad batch now and then.

[rsrocket1]

This is under a 250 grain MBC coated RNFP .452 bullet (Cowboy #1) in once fired Remington brass cases

Did you reload these brass cases from new ammunition you shot yourself or did you buy "once fired brass"? This case looks awfully worn out for being shot just once.

[kcstott]

Did you reload these brass cases from new ammunition you shot yourself or did you buy "once fired brass"? This case looks awfully worn out for being shot just once.

very good point. There is a difference between "Once fired" and "fired once"

[Pablo5959]

It happens, throw it away and move on.

[ojisan]

Pablo's avatar is the perfect answer.
Just a bad case, pitch it and move on.

(I would take a look at the other brass in that batch though.)

[JagerDog]

I shoot a lot hotter than that (assuming it was really 8 grains) in my Bisley Blackhawk (Yes I know Uberti isn't rated for Blackhawk pressures). So I'd say a bad piece of brass.

Good brass is going to flow to the chamber regardless of pressure (assuming it's ample pressure). Brittle/fatigued/damaged/defective brass may split along the way.

[sofbak]

I only neck size .45 colt brass about .40". I suppose avoiding split cases like this is another benefit of that practice.

Now let's see if Bsumoba or the guffster show up!

[Epaphroditus]

Hmmm. I've loaded 9.3 gr Unique on 250gr jacketed bullets with no issues.

[rcslotcar]

I've loaded heavy H110 loads (Ruger only) and never had a case split like that. I believe the chamber is bad and or the case was weak.

[Odd_Ball]

Thanks for all the feedback. Looks like I'm still in safe territory with this load and most likely it was just bad brass. I've never seen a split brass case in pistol ammo before so it spooked me a little bit.

How many times has this brass been loaded? are the chambers a little on the oversize side (big)?

I think I'm ok here. The chambers all the same size and the .452" MBC bullets I am using hang up in the cylinder throats when dropped into each chamber. My 45acp .451" plated bullets will drop through the cylinder. Both projectiles lodge into the forcing cone as well, though the .452 sits a little higher.

Did you reload these brass cases from new ammunition you shot yourself or did you buy "once fired brass"? This case looks awfully worn out for being shot just once.

very good point. There is a difference between "Once fired" and "fired once"

Fwiw, all the brass from this ammo looks worn out like this case did and it has a slightly darker color and is less shiny than almost all the other brass I have. I purchased it new about 3 years ago as Remington Target Load 225 gr LSWC factory ammo. I've shot only 100 rounds of this ammo because accuracy was terrible at 7 yards and large parts of the barrell leaded up. Regardless, this was the first reload of these cases and the second time they were fired ... unless Remington was reusing brass in their new Target Load ammo from 3 years ago.

[Odd_Ball]

It happens, throw it away and move on.

Pablo's avatar is the perfect answer.
Just a bad case, pitch it and move on.

(I would take a look at the other brass in that batch though.)

Lol, "Don't Panic" ... good advice from the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I will keep an eye on the rest of this brass though.

I doubt its an over pressure issue. The 45 Colt case can support a lot of pressure. My guess would be either brass or a chamber issue.

Btw Unique almost always shoots kinda dirty, so the soot wont tell you much.

At the very least, isn't the soot because of low pressure (or lack of high pressure to seal case against chamber)? I was interpreting the soot as indicating that I am ok on pressure.

8.0 grain of unique is not a pressure issue. thats a brass problem. Cases are to hard and the sides split. happens with bad brass. Not saying remington is bad ammo but everyone has a bad batch now and then.

I shoot a lot hotter than that (assuming it was really 8 grains) in my Bisley Blackhawk (Yes I know Uberti isn't rated for Blackhawk pressures). So I'd say a bad piece of brass.

Good brass is going to flow to the chamber regardless of pressure (assuming it's ample pressure). Brittle/fatigued/damaged/defective brass may split along the way.

kcstott & JagerDog, this is what I was thinking. It looks alot like steel cases when they split.

[Odd_Ball]

Hmmm. I've loaded 9.3 gr Unique on 250gr jacketed bullets with no issues.

I might work up the load a bit more to see if I can improve on the accuracy at all, although the 8.0 grains load seems pretty good already. I'm not looking to push any limits with this revolver.

I've loaded heavy H110 loads (Ruger only) and never had a case split like that. I believe the chamber is bad and or the case was weak.

That's a good point, 45 colt cases should be able to handle really stout loads.