Split casings

gunluv280

December 01, 2002 14:55

A while back, I shot some Turkish 8mm through one of those Yugo mausers (M48). I didn't notice anything odd while I was shooting it, but as I picked up my empty casings I noticed one of them was split on the side about halfway down. Now I'm not sure if there's a problem with my gun or with the ammo. The ammo dates to the late 40s/early 50s, and I had read of many people using it for the same type of gun--no problems were noted. What would cause this problem? Do I need to have the gun checked, or is this an ammo problem? I'd rather not have the thing blow up in my face.

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  chunkstyle

  December 01, 2002 15:01

  I had some of that Egyptian milsurp 9mm ammo for my Beretta 92, and I noticed it was split before I shot it. I sorted out the cracked ones from the good, and don't intend to shoot it.

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  Der Gebirgsjager

  December 01, 2002 19:37

  I'd be willing to bet that it's an ammo problem, and probably won't happen again; especially if you inspect the rounds before you fire them, and sort out any that show signs of cracks. If your rifle's chamber was defective you would see the same defect on all of your fired brass.

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  rfo1

  December 02, 2002 04:47

  I agree with DG. The problem is probably weak brass, not the gun.I've had factory Federal Match .38 w/c split after the first firing--and that's a very mild factory load. With surplus ammo you usually get what you pay for-- "sort em and toss em" - and repeat after firing.

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  Iconoclast

  December 02, 2002 04:57

  As may be inferred from the other posts, it's not terribly unusual to see this in milsurp ammo. There are the usual manufacturing quality variations plus the fact this material is roughly fifty years old, stored in unknown conditions. Personally, I'd simply check them over before shooting. Ammo almost certainly has corrosive Berdan priming, so it would not be cost effective to consider reloading it.

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  kingjoey

  December 13, 2002 14:23

  Firmly wiggle the bullet and see if you can pull it from the brass, If the bullet is loose or loosens, the brass has fatigued from storage and should be discarded.

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  richbug

  December 13, 2002 14:29

  I would agree with the ammo problem concensus. That stuff is HOT. I get well over 3000fps out of the same stuff. I don't have any max handloads that come anywhere close. probably a little high on the pressure side. Some of mine show pressure signs on the primers. I would keep shooting it though, lots of bang for the money. brass has become brittle with age.
  
  A man with a gun is a CITIZEN, a man without a gun is a subject.

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  jonk

  December 14, 2002 12:12

  I have the same trouble with this ammo. Also happens with my vintage Carcano ammo and some others. If the case is reloadable and survives the first firing (not applicable in this instance) annealing the neck/shoulder will solve the problem.
  
  "...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf

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