Cases splitting / 38 Super

[TackDriver284]

I had some old loads I made about 20 years ago. I fired them today over the Xero to check speeds. I had some 130 hardballs and 145 grain flat nose, both was using w231 and Blue Dot. Speeds with the 130 is 1175 fps ave and the 145 flat nose with Blue Dot is about 1150 average. About 20% of the cases split way down to the base. Could the issue be old brass which is brittle? Toss them and buy new brass?

 

[JD338]

Not really sure but it seems like the root cause is old brittle brass. I'd buy new brass and start from scratch.

JD338

 

[RL338]

Toss them , no need to risk damage to you or your handgun.

 

[TackDriver284]

Decided to toss all my loaded .45 and 38 Super ammo, totaled about 350 rounds. Not worth keeping loaded ammo made 20 years ago, not knowing what would happen. I have about 200 pieces of new .38 Super brass and 100 pieces of .45 ACP from 20 years ago as well, I guess they go in the can too.

 

[Vince]

Seems like you made a wise decision.
The cost savings of reloading, or using your old ammo, is not, IMHO, worth the cost of damage to your pistol.

Vince

 

[TackDriver284]

Seems like you made a wise decision.
The cost savings of reloading, or using your old ammo, is not, IMHO, worth the cost of damage to your pistol.

Vince

New brass should arrive tomorrow. Ordered some Starline P+

 

[RL338]

+1 on the Starline brass choice.

 

[TackDriver284]

Finally came in. I'm anxious to start pistol loading after 19 years. Going to try 5 rounds in .2 grain increments and look for an accuracy load, hopefully no splitting this time. Haven't chosen a powder yet. It's a toss between AA#7, AutoComp and Power Pistol. 130 grain round nose to start with , data is scarce, using the older book versions of Sierra, Speer, Hornady. I see Hodgdon has some good data as well.


My wife wants to watch movies tonight, its ladies night. Gonna put the 38 on the burner for now, tomorrow I need to load 6 BR for the Sunday match, using VLD.