I was cleaning some .45 Colt brass that has been reloaded about 30 times when I noticed 4 Starline pieces with split necks and a Winchester piece that had a 1/2 inch crack running parallel to the case. These cases have been fired exclusively in a Ruger Blackhawk until the last time when they were fired in a Ruger Redhawk. I have only lost one Starline case, out of 100, to a split neck in the Blackhawk, which was after about 25 reloads. I find it curious that I lost 5 cases the first time they were fired in the Redhawk. Could it be that the cylinder throats are larger in the Redhawk, thus causing the cases to expand more, or is the brass just simply wore out. Also, am I fortunate that the ruptured Winchester case didn't cause damage to me or the gun?
Is it the brass or the gun?
- Thread starter AL45
- Start date
g.willikers
New member
The job of the brass is to seal the chamber when the round fires.
If there was any condition that would have put you to risk, the result would have been obvious and there would be no reason to even ask this question.
Brass that splits merely from old age is not dangerous.
Unless it's from a lot larger go-banger than a .45.
Don't sweat the small stuff.