The ring of death, a timely reminder!

[Smellydog]

I'd be good in the tabloids I think??

Not it's not the ring of death at all but it might spoil the day if gone unnoticed like it did with me a year or so ago.

Today putting my 3030 brass away I noticed a couple of slightly different colour rings.
A quick probing confirmed one of the two cases should be scrapped. I could just feel the brass thinning where the ring is.

Just thought I'd encourage others to look at the brass carefully instead of casually!

 

[SSN100]

Does cleaning the brass help show this better or does it hide it?

 

[timbrayford]

Does cleaning the brass help show this better or does it hide it?

Absolutely it does, bright daylight is useful too

 

[kenbro]

I'd be good in the tabloids I think??

Not it's not the ring of death at all but it might spoil the day if gone unnoticed like it did with me a year or so ago.

Today putting my 3030 brass away I noticed a couple of slightly different colour rings.
A quick probing confirmed one of the two cases should be scrapped. I could just feel the brass thinning where the ring is.

Just thought I'd encourage others to look at the brass carefully instead of casually!
View attachment 445908

Hi Smelly,
Is dark part the amount of case that is unsupported when in battery?
Cheers, KB.

 

[Smellydog]

Hi Smelly,
Is dark part the amount of case that is unsupported when in battery?
Cheers, KB.

No mate, it headspace's on the rim.

 

[muddy42]

No mate, it headspace's on the rim.

Smelly, I presume that bent nail in the photo is what you use to feel the inside of the case? good idea

 

[Smellydog]

Smelly, I presume that bent nail in the photo is what you use to feel the inside of the case? good idea

Ssshhh, it was the wife's skewer shhhh

 

[Foxyboy43]

Old pic posted a few times before but a bent wiperblade stiffener sharpened to a flat point has worked a treat for me and caused no diffs with the sainted Lady FB. Of ourse there have been a few other “little incidents”….

 

[Smellydog]

Old pic posted a few times before but a bent wiperblade stiffener sharpened to a flat point has worked a treat for me and caused no diffs with the sainted Lady FB. Of ourse there have been a few other “little incidents”….
View attachment 445928

Tis a good thing to pass onto new reloaders FB

 

[Foxyboy43]

Tis a good thing to pass onto new reloaders FB

Yep Smelly - often missed by tyros - usually found out the hard way - ever tried dislodging the top section of a case?
Then you never forget…
B

 

[Smellydog]

Yep Smelly - often missed by tyros - usually found out the hard way - ever tried dislodging the top section of a case?
Then you never forget…
B

I have. That shortened the evenings events.
Had to make a little hook to catch the case mouth.

 

[Tikkat1x]

for me, its, if in doubt, chuck it out, brass is so cheap, rifles, scopes, hands and faces, not so much

 

[Scipio]

Hello lads, - well this is a very good subject to bring up - this video might be able to help a bit further:

 

[Smellydog]

Hello lads, - well this is a very good subject to bring up - this video might be able to help a bit further:

I don't quite agree with his statement it's due to the brass work hardening.
It's due to the brass flowing forward under pressure. The case head area is thicker brass and it takes the pressure better so it thins just above the thicker section. Also the brass doesn't really get work hardened there from sizing like say the neck does.

 

[Scipio]

I don't quite agree with his statement it's due to the brass work hardening.
It's due to the brass flowing forward under pressure. The case head area is thicker brass and it takes the pressure better so it thins just above the thicker section. Also the brass doesn't really get work hardened there from sizing like say the neck does.

Hello mate - yeah, he's made a follow up video where he probably explains "the why" behind it happening better, but i more meant this video not as a technical insight into the why, but more as a quick insight into how to spot a potential risk for case-head separation early, and how it looks like on the inside of the case too, (if one is feeling for it, with a bent metal wire).

 

[john.g]

Great heads up guys nice 1

 

[jb1]

Chuck em in the tumbler, you'll get another 10 loadings from them.. lol

I know someone that would do that too, not sure about 10 though.

 

[tarponhead]

Forgive my ignorance but what happens if it separates, other than failing to eject? Can you tell from the sound or the bullet behaviour?

 

[jb1]

Most of the pressure could result in coming back into your eye's, powder reside etc. Stuck case, and whatever else more in the know will add.

 

[markyw]

If you are worried about it, just buy a broken case extractor. Other than that, you can shove another cartridge into the chamber and it should grip a cold case enough to pull out. Sometimes the cold case will just fall out on its own. You can also use a pull-through from the breech end.

Had this happen to me in .303 Brit SMLE and a 7.62x51 chambered Jungle Carbine. Both had headspace checked afterwards and were fine. Both were factory ammunition.

I think split case extractors were somewhat standard issue in the wars.

Regards

Mark