45 colt star line cases splitting

[Mike]

I was up the range at the weekend and three guys are complaining about how many of thier new 45 colt star line cases are splitting length ways after only a few reloads.
Any one else having this issue.
I personally have not had a problem, but dont shoot that many 45 colt rounds.

[Sagebrush Burns]

I'm going to surmise that if Starline 45 Colt cases are splitting prematurely, those people are doing something wrong (most likely over belling the case mouth) in their reloading procedure.  I've got Starline 45 brass with about 20 reloads at standard pressure/velocity levels and I hardly ever have one split.

[Mike]

Sagebrush
I do belive it is there technic causing the issue but was also wondering if a tight sizer with over size chamber may also be causing the issue.
Thanks.

[Hambone Dave]

Many folks anneal their case mouths to un-harden the brass to reduce splitting. Annealing is best performed in low light so one can see the dull red of the heated case mouth.

As with all reloading processes, Ghost Riders or Tumbling Tumbleweeds should be playing.

[Mike]

Talked too the guys last night, they are over beling the case mouth, which is what i guessed.
Thanks guys.

[Cholla Hill Tirador]

 I have this same problem with 45 Colt Starline  brass. I know for certain I'm not over belling the case mouths so I'm wondering if it's a combination of a sizing die (Lee) over reducing the diameter of the case and oversize chambers.
  I just bought a Dillon sizing die and am shooting a different revolver, so time should tell.

  CHT

[will52100]

I get one every so often.  Not very often, but when I do it's a split down the side, not just the case mouth, full length.  Seems to happen more with starline than the other range pick ups I've got.  I think it's because I'm full length sizing and shooting in rifle and pistols with chambers that are on the large size.  I could use a larger size die or neck size, but I want them to load in all my 45's.  A split case once in a blue moon seems to be a small price to pay for ammo compatibility.

[Trailrider]

If these splits are occurring on first firing, I would surmise a bad heat treatment.  Even on the second or third reload, unless the brass is being severly overworkhardened during resizing, it would seem unlikely unless the brass was too hard to begin with.  I would contact Starline, ask where fired brass cases can be sent, and send them at least five cases for analysis. If you haven't fired them all yet, I would send another five UNfired cases from the same lot for analysis. You might also send them five "dummy" rounds (NO powder, NO primer) loaded that way you load them for examination. Be sure to include the lot number (usually found somewhere on the box the brass came in, if possible. That will at least give them a clue as to whether they have an annealing problem.

[Matthew Duncan]

A dirty sizing die could be putting a scratch on the brass.

[will52100]

Good point about the dirty sizing die.  My first sizing die for 45-75 would scratch the heck out of brass if I didn't lube the heck out of it.

Also forgot to mention I normally get 20+ loadings before I start having issues with 45 colt.  Most of the time I don't notice the split until I got to load again.

[Donkee]

I pitched my LEE sizing die after noticing that the cases were being sized too small. Replaced it with an RCBS die, no problems after that.

[Cliff Fendley]

My brother wad some Starline 45 colt split on the first firing a few years ago. I figured bad heat treatment or brass since the problem went away with no other changes. I guess the bad brass got eliminated.

[hp246]

Have had problems with R-P, but never Star Line, or any other brass for that matter.

[llanerosolitario]

the Uberti cattleman has chambers that are oversized, that is why  the reloading cases last only a few reloads. I experience this too often. Sometimes they split with just 3 reloads.

that is one of the reasons why I dont like Uberti revolvers.

[Cliff Fendley]

the Uberti cattleman has chambers that are oversized, that is why  the reloading cases last only a few reloads. I experience this too often. Sometimes they split with just 3 reloads.

that is one of the reasons why I dont like Uberti revolvers.

I've seen cases fired numerous times in nothing but Uberti revolvers and still going strong.

[Montana Slim]

Old thread, but relating my Pa's experience.....
Every now & then Starline does make a batch of crappy brass. I can forgive that..but my experience is that they will give ya the cold-shoulder when you complain...."just replace it, all brass wears out"....Never mind if you just dumped 500 pcs of new 38-40 brass & it all splits after 1-2 loadings.

I had a problem with some Remington brass about 10 years back, the sent me a paid return label & box to return brass to them & sent me a gift card for MidwayUSA that covered the cost of replacement brass & standard shipping.

Slim

[Popa Kapoff]

I had cases spilt the loads where hot and a very hard crimp. My regular loads have never given me a issue.