204 Ruger split case neck

[happyhunter]

Couple days ago I found half a box of factory Hornady Vmax in .204 hiding in the back of the safe. As I was going out to zero a new batch of hand loads and thought why not finish the box of Factory stuff off as it must be 10 years old by now.

After sighting the new batch of hand loads, the barrel was pretty warm and I loaded the first factory round.. BOOM,!.. that was louder than normal? Ejected the case to see a big split down the neck. next three factory rounds were fine.

Neck split didn't seem to effect accuracy. Four shot group at the center dot is the factory ammo.

[Gamerancher]

Wouldn't worry too much, just a defective case. I've even had one in a batch of Lapua brass do the same with a mild reload in a Sako 75 in 6.5 x 55. Write it off as a dud case and get on with life.

[bigfellascott]

Can't say I've had one do that in the 204 as yet, have had a primer let go in the 222 which was interesting (no dramas).

[happyhunter]

Wouldn't worry too much, just a defective case. I've even had one in a batch of Lapua brass do the same with a mild reload in a Sako 75 in 6.5 x 55. Write it off as a dud case and get on with life.

haha.. I wasn't worried as it was the first shot of the 4 shot group and I just kept blasting away. More of a "first time this has happened..' moment

[buckle]

have had a primer let go in the 222 which was interesting (no dramas).

A bit of a bang in the wrong direction?