17HMR split cases

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W1LL

W1LL

Well-Known Member
So I decided this week I’ve had enough of Hornady VMax 17gr 17HMR after some recent unexplained misses, jam or two and routine rabbit head shots hitting low and blowing guts out, I checked zero, 3 shots bang on from bipod, 3 shots from sticks 2 spot on 1 flier, case didnt eject, so I checked the case, it was split, checked remaining unfired ammo found 6 split from about 30 and found 9 split in a new box. Doing a bit of an experiment and finding these split rounds always produced outliers 3 inch or so low and to 2in either side from zero at 100yd. (CZ455, mounts are tight, scope mounted correctly, bore cleaned every 100 rounds, and the last 200 rounds fired without issue)
So I thought I’d change to Winchester 20gr HPs and see if they’re any better. 24 out of 50 have split cases brand new out the box, is this a common problem with all brands? Or just USA made? Any recommendations for ammo that isnt crap?
 
I've covered this so many times...
The brass is primed 22wmr cases that is then necked down at speed to which the thin brass gets brittle very quickly. It can't be annealed due the primer already present. When bullets get seated some brass cracks.

I inspect every box and discard any split rounds.
IMG_20230206_135507.webp20220211_065222.webp
 
As I've said before I sort out the rounds with split cases and only use these during daylight when I'm waiting out for summer rabbits. There are not the same pressures on the shooter as there are at night when multiple shots can be taken in quick succession and it's all too easy to miss a change in the sound of the report. Personally. I find the split cases shoot pretty well but I always carry a 17 rod with me just in case.

It's a great shame this problem hasn't been solved as the 17HMR is possibly the ideal rabbit round. I had my 17 Anschutz 17/17 when this calibre first arrived in this country and I don't recall there being ammo problems in those early days.
 
Thats a great shame I thought they had identified and sorted the problem, albiet over a couple of years
But checking your ammo under a light prior to going out which is what I do with the WMR isn’t a major problem, just a shame as its a brilliant bunny basher calibre
 
I’ve noticed no issues until recent batches of Vmax so maybe they had sorted it at some point. I’ll just keep checking from now on. Thank you all
 
I've noticed they have changed the powder too.
I often get old ammo from hand ins at my local shop.
On pulling new bullets verses old the powder is different.
My hunch is that the old powder was more problematic when fired from a compromised cartridge. We don't hear of damaged rifle anymore, just poor performance from the compromised cases.

They are probably running the neck swaging operation to fast. I'd love to see that stage of the operation.
 
I have, Winchester (the worst for splits c30%), cci (better but still present c20%), Federal (better still c10%). The Horandy 2 boxes I have I’ve not checked all rounds, but the ones I have seen do have some splits. Tbh if they are slightly cracked I will usually load and fire successfully, occasionally getting a flier. Not had any blockages but have had a few where the bullet gets stuck in the mag and pushed back into the casing causing a mag jam. Federal groups best in My rifle 1517 anschultz.
 
I love the .17 and have put a lot of rounds through my hmr - as per Smelly’s advice check each round before leaving home and with respect:-
“bore cleaned every 100 rounds” ain’t enough - the .17 is a filthy little round perhaps exacerbated by the micro bore - I well remember using a pull-through in my early ownership - it never dropped through and always needed a rod through first so clean it every time you get home - be it after 100 shots or just a single shot.
🦊🦊
 
Foxyboy43 said:
I love the .17 and have put a lot of rounds through my hmr - as per Smelly’s advice check each round before leaving home and with respect:-
“bore cleaned every 100 rounds” ain’t enough - the .17 is a filthy little round perhaps exacerbated by the micro bore - I well remember using a pull-through in my early ownership - it never dropped through and always needed a rod through first so clean it every time you get home - be it after 100 shots or just a single shot.
🦊🦊
Click to expand...
My Anschuyz 17/17 doesn't like being cleaned, and it takes five or more shots to settle in after cleaning. I wait till accuracy noticeably drops off and this can be a substantial number of rounds, up to 300 or more, before cleaning.
 
Continuing this thread, when .27 HMRCcases split they stick in the chamber despite a robust extractor on my Sako, needing pliers to remove. Any tips for preventing them sticking? I assume lubing the cases/chamber might cause pressure issues?
 
tarponhead said:
Continuing this thread, when .27 HMRCcases split they stick in the chamber despite a robust extractor on my Sako, needing pliers to remove. Any tips for preventing them sticking? I assume lubing the cases/chamber might cause pressure issues?
Click to expand...
no longer have a hmr got a 17 hornet to replace it, but i used to inspect every hmr round and pick out the split necks and put them to one side. A stuck case at night along way from the car and rod was a pain in the rear.
The bag of split rounds helped justify the hornet to the FEO when asked why do you need two .17 calibre.

Went on to remove the bullet from the split hmr and then used them up by fire forming .22 hornet brass into .17 hornet 😊
 
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