10-12-2023, 04:09 AM
Jay,
Sounds like case separation, or incipient case separation. Both are caused by too much headspace. 'Incipient' just means cases get overstretched and slowly weaken over a few firings, finally giving way.
I had two case separations from the same batch when I first started reloading 223. The cases were cut neat in half like they were hacksawed. The bottom halves were ejected normally but the tops needed some help to remove. It was caused by too much headspace - totally my fault. Squashed the cases too much when sizing so there was too much space between the case and chamber. Left a neat permanent circular line in the wall of the chamber where the heat/pressure was focused as it split.
Does your chamber now have a line marked on the inside wall coinciding with the split, that you can see or feel with a paper clip?
Sounds like case separation, or incipient case separation. Both are caused by too much headspace. 'Incipient' just means cases get overstretched and slowly weaken over a few firings, finally giving way.
I had two case separations from the same batch when I first started reloading 223. The cases were cut neat in half like they were hacksawed. The bottom halves were ejected normally but the tops needed some help to remove. It was caused by too much headspace - totally my fault. Squashed the cases too much when sizing so there was too much space between the case and chamber. Left a neat permanent circular line in the wall of the chamber where the heat/pressure was focused as it split.
Does your chamber now have a line marked on the inside wall coinciding with the split, that you can see or feel with a paper clip?