22 Magnum ammo cases splitting during firing

76k20

Looking for some input and thoughts from the experts on this.

Some of the 22 magnum cases that I recently fired have split nearly the entire length of the case. The first one I didn't think much about, just figured it was a coincidence. But after several cases had split, I decided to further investigate this.

Tried the same ammo in a diffferent gun, still splitting cases. Chrono'ed the ammo, cases that split during firing were about 150fps slower than the normal rounds.

Tried different ammo in each gun, NO cases split. (Used three different manufacturers and different bullet weights) So I rechecked the original box of ammo and found that I had two different lot #'s, so I tried the other lot to see if it did the same thing. Again, no split cases.

At this point, I am thinking this is an ammo problem specific to this lot of cartridges.

Okay, so this leaves me with a few questions. Is the ammo safe to shoot for plinking, or should I just toss it? Any idea what caused the cases to split? Does this happen often and I have just never encountered it before? Has anyone have experienced this before?

Here are a few pics of the split cases:

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*EDIT*

The ammo is Winchester 40 gr JHP, purchased several years back. Price tag on box is $5.09 if that is an indication of age.[:0]

countryfarmer

Contact the mfg and tell them your findings, I imagine they will want the ammo shipped back to them and you should get a voucher for another box.

Laredo Lefty

Probably a lot with brittle brass syndrome. Doesnt seem to be a gun problem and its limited to a certain lot of ammo.

EVILDR235

What brand is the ammo that is splitting ?

EvilDr235

fordsix

is the ammo a recent buy new made of some old stuff ,,who made it??

RCrosby

You did all the right stuff to narrow it down, and I concur with your conclusion. Definitely ammo problem. Contact manufacturer and let us know the outcome. Be sure to save the brass and unfired ammo because whoever made it will want to examine and evaluate for sure.

ruger41

Had some Federal .32 Longs do the same exact thing in an older S&W Hand Ejector. Split exactly like that. Thought it might be the gun but Magtech and Fiocchi's and another box of Federals didn't split. Have not sent the cases back because I have since sold the gun--maybe I should & see what Federal says.

beantownshootah

quote:Originally posted by 76k20
At this point, I am thinking this is an ammo problem specific to this lot of cartridges.

Okay, so this leaves me with a few questions. Is the ammo safe to shoot for plinking, or should I just toss it? Any idea what caused the cases to split? Does this happen often and I have just never encountered it before? Has anyone have experienced this before?


I agree with your conclusions and those of the others.

Its probably a bad lot of brass related to that particular box/batch of ammo.

I wouldn't shoot the ammo, and I wouldn't toss it.

Instead, I think the best thing to do is to save all the unused ammo and spent brass, and contact the manufacturer. I'd imagine they would me more than happy for you to return this likely defective ammo to them at THEIR expense and provide you with brand new replacement ammo.

In terms of actual danger to your gun or to your safety, there probably isn't much, but no way can case splitting be good for either! I suspect the most realistic downside is just going to be chamber fouling, but if all you'd be doing is plinking with it, why take a chance?

Edit
$5.09/box? Sounds like this box has been sitting around a little while!
I'm sure Winchster would still be happy to replace the ammo for you, though I'd think they'd probably be aware of the problem by now!