Split .40sw case

[sv_1]

Today I had a nickel plated case split from the mouth to about the middle of the case while loading it, this was it's 4th load.

If this would have been fired in the gun, is there enough support from the chamber to prevent a KB?

Should I pull the rest of the rounds apart? Visually they all look sound.

I am already tossing the rest of this lot of brass...

[troysland]

Yeah, 4th load is near end-of-life.

[Revoman]

Most times when the brass is removed from the tumbler/vibrator, you can hear a case that is split or cracked as it has a dull and different ring to it.

I usually take a handful and rattle them around and listen for that unmistakable tone. Then when I finalize the brass, before loading, I check them one more time to remove bad brass, be it split, bent, out of round etc.

If the rest of the rounds look fine, you may want to look at them through a magnifying glass to assure that they are stress/crack/split free.

If these are shot from a revolver, I would say that the chamber would be sufficient, but out of a semi, I'm not sure and would leave that to someone more auto savvy.

[g17owner]

I seem to have more problem with my nickel brass more often than my regular brass. It does seem more brittle. I watch it more carefully than my other stuff. But all goes through a good inspection. I actually dont like nickel much because of this.

[PonchoTA]

If you're shooting it from a Glock, it's not fully supported. Steyr's, Sig's, etc. are fully supported chambers however, IIRC.

[buffybuster]

The nickel plating results in some degree of embrittlement. It's unavoidable. Use them until the casemouths begin to split and toss them.

If you're loading anything near Max loads, you should be using either New or confirmed once fired brass cases of the same make.

[sv_1]

It's an HK USP, but my question was more whether a case rupture IN the chamber (not the unsupported area) would lead to serious issues?

Nowhere near max loads.

I don't think I'll have a problem with the ones that are loaded, but $3 worth of components isn't worth destroying my gun... so I'll put them aside and pull 'em apart later.

[Fjold]

Yeah, 4th load is near end-of-life.

I don't what I'm doing with the 40 S&W cases that I have 10 reloads on them or the 45 ACP cases that have over 40 reloads through them.

[bruceflinch]

I know I have yellow brass in .40 w/10 loads of full power factor thru a Para. I'm sure some of the nickel cases have a lot more than 4 reloads.
The Nickel cases are a tad thinner than the yellow brass. The nickel is harder & more brittle. So it does not lasts as long.

Recycle that old brass for $$CASH$$! Don't throw it away!

[diginit]

It is not a good idea to reload nickel cases. Do a google search.

[sv_1]

After going through some of the other cases that were loaded the same amount of times, I found one more that was very brittle. When smashed with pliers, it split instead of bending.

I guess I'm not sure why it'd be a bad idea to reload nickel, but I'll look...

So i guess I'm gonna have to experiment to see if the chamber would contain it Can I borrow someones pistol? Anyone?

[diginit]

Better borrow someones hands too....

[bruceflinch]

It is not a good idea to reload nickel cases. Do a google search.

I did a Google Search. Nobody recommended against reloading nickel cases. They did say they won't last as long.

"Whachu talkin' bout, Willis?

[eaglemike]

If it's a split at the case mouth, I miss it during loading, and it gets into the chamber and fires - no issue in my experience.

.40 brass that fails at the base in a factory Glock barrel is a different story....

all the best,
Mike

[sv_1]

Mike- Thanks! That's the real world experience I was looking for.

I'm gonna play it safe and ditch the nickel cases that have been loaded 3 or 4 times.