Is this case head separation

[grandad of the woods]

So after a bit of advice. I bought a used reloading set with a .17 hornet and some fired brass came with it but quite a few have these little lines round and I think it's slightly raised would this be case head separation and well basically chick the brass ?


As always any advice is most welcomed and appreciated

 

[KimE]

It might be a swelling but cut a case open to look inside

 

[Tikkat1x]

iv had a few marks on some of my 223 brass that were just marks from my resizing die i think, but for what there worth, i now toss them in the bin, not worth risking, especially if your not sure on how many times they have been fired,

 

[secondtry]

Looks like an incipient head separation.

To check you can simply run a fine 90 degree pick over the inside of the case(s), If it's separation, you will feel a groove where the external line is.

Cutting it open will also work but cost you what could turn out be a good case.

 

[Smellydog]

Deffo, scrap, check the others with a prick as described above.

 

[grandad of the woods]

Damit seems going through them quite a lot have this ring ow well is what it is thanks chaps rather be safe than sorryy

 

[.25-06]

Any pictures actually in focus?

 

[finnbear270]

New brass is around £40.00 x 50 pack, much better prospect than wrecked or damaged rifle.

 

[Apthorpe]

Take a paper clip, straighten it, then bend about 1/8":at the end 90 degrees, file the wire to a sharp point and use it to scrape along the inside of the case. If it catches on a dip inside the case, bin it. Otherwise it is just a mark made by the die or the chamber. Case head separation is something shich happens from the inside, and that is where the signs are to be found.
One of my cartridges produces these rings and pronounced expansion (about 5thou) in the same area. There is nothing wrong with my cases 6 or 7 lreasonably light oadings later.

 

[grandad of the woods]

I can't actually feel anything on the inside of the case but it's definitely swollen or raised on the out side just had quick look through befor work and all ones in background plus some has same thing in the same spot

 

[Donkey Basher]

Nowt wrong with the one that’s in focus above by the look of it.

I think what you’re seeing is the point at which the case wall above the web from the head is thin enough for it to expand outwards to meet the chamber. This in itself is nothing to worry about.

As above, straighten out a paper clip then put a small bend in the end so you can run it down the inside of the cases. You’ll feel any dip inside which is an indicator of impending case separation.

 

[scotch_egg]

Cut one in half and have a look. Far easier than using a paper clip.

 

[grandad of the woods]

Thanks chaps I'll appear clip then all and see and I'll find the worse one out the lot and cut a section out can keep that one as a training aid for my self and when teach the boys to reload, must admit when though all had case separation was a bit disheartened lol but had to check as wasn't sure and all brass has been kept reloaded and fired by someone else

 

[Smellydog]

Hornady brass by any chance?

Has anyone actually had a rifle damaged by case head separation.
I had two this year and apart from having to go home early no harm done.

 

[finnbear270]

Hornady brass by any chance?

Has anyone actually had a rifle damaged by case head separation.
I had two this year and apart from having to go home early no harm done.

It can get messy with gas cutting if unlucky.

 

[grandad of the woods]

Hornady brass by any chance?

Has anyone actually had a rifle damaged by case head separation.
I had two this year and apart from having to go home early no harm done.

It is hornady brass. What made you assume that ? Thought hornady brass was meant to be good lol

 

[finnbear270]

It is hornady brass. What made you assume that ? Thought hornady brass was meant to be good lol

Anybody's brass can get tired, get yourself some new stuff & you can watch how things progress.
Some brass is harder than others.
Some brass is different spec like less QC on things like primer pocket dimensions.
Some brass always turns up with dinged case mouths.

 

[grandad of the woods]

Well still got some hornady factory rounds to shoot through so see how it goes I supose

 

[Smellydog]

It is hornady brass. What made you assume that ? Thought hornady brass was meant to be good lol

I had a box of factory Hornady recently and only loaded it a couple of times and got what you see in my photo. It's as soft as cheese.
Maybe their new brass for reloaders is good but the factory ammo brass maybe something different!!

 

[Liveonce]

my various 17 hornet cases are the same, using lee dies, reloaded them several times yet to have a problem.