Posting for Dogman. He would like your input on this topic.



I've had similar cracks in 30-06 ammo from the 50's
If these are from the Evansville-Chrysler plant in 1944, then it would not surprise me.
Metal was getting hard to come by. eg. that plant was producing that wonderful steel cased 45 acp at that time.
They used steel because copper was getting scarce.
The metallurgy might be a little different to conserve copper.

All of the WWII ammo that I've shot thru various carbines have split.  I mentioned this some years ago to Charlie Davis since he's a walking ammunition encyclopedia - he said there was a change to the ammunition or chamber dimensions - I can't remember exactly.  He may have written an article about this in the HHAA newsletter.

Posting for Dogman. He would like your input on this topic.

I've had similar cracks in 30-06 ammo from the 50's
If these are from the Evansville-Chrysler plant in 1944, then it would not surprise me.
Metal was getting hard to come by. eg. that plant was producing that wonderful steel cased 45 acp at that time.
They used steel because copper was getting scarce.
The metallurgy might be a little different to conserve copper.

I have seen seen a similar issue with 30-06 match ammo from the 50’s as well. I got maybe 30-40 rounds one time. I shot it all and probably 20% cracked on the first firing. All neck splits. I decided to process the rest of the brass. Upon the second firing of the cases a few more split at the neck. I think I even had a neck split either when sizing or setting the bullet if I remember correctly, Bottom line for me was after the second firing I disposed of them.

The only other time I have seen splits like that was with some old 7.62x54R ammo for my Mosin.

All of the WWII ammo that I've shot thru various carbines have split.  I mentioned this some years ago to Charlie Davis since he's a walking ammunition encyclopedia - he said there was a change to the ammunition or chamber dimensions - I can't remember exactly.  He may have written an article about this in the HHAA newsletter.

....
That rings a bell.

My thoughts on it is during that period, they pushed the limits on the brass alloy to save raw materials as much as possible. Also, probably cut corners on heat treatment to save time and boost production.

The ammo was meant to be fired at the enemy once, then left on the battlefield, not reloaded.

Many weapons and ammunition where pushed to the ragged edge of function and safety.

Thanks OF for posting, attaching photo's don't work for me anymore. A friend of mine gave me the ammo and I thought, oh good Lake City brass. More than one-third of the cases split. So I guess, safe to shoot? I probably won't reload any. Thanks for the comments.

Was this ammo packed, repacked, in 1944?

Thanks OF for posting, attaching photo's don't work for me anymore. A friend of mine gave me the ammo and I thought, oh good Lake City brass. More than one-third of the cases split. So I guess, safe to shoot? I probably won't reload any. Thanks for the comments.

Was this ammo packed, repacked, in 1944?

What’s on the head stamp?

What’s on the head stamp?

heads

Thanks OF for posting, attaching photo's don't work for me anymore. A friend of mine gave me the ammo and I thought, oh good Lake City brass. More than one-third of the cases split. So I guess, safe to shoot? I probably won't reload any. Thanks for the comments.

Was this ammo packed, repacked, in 1944?

did it shoot ok?

when you 77 years old, you tend to develop cracks here and there

when you 77 years old, you tend to develop cracks here and there

Yup gotta get me a new ass since the old one is cracked…..

Yup gotta get me a new ass since the old one is cracked…..

Crack kills! 

What’s on the head stamp?

duh, why didn't I think of that . . . 43

did it shoot ok?

Shot fine, never noticed anything odd. Only after picking up the brass, then noticed the split cases.

duh, why didn't I think of that . . . 43

 Shot fine, never noticed anything odd. Only after picking up the brass, then noticed the split cases.

....
Is it EC43, ECS43 or LC43?
Not that it matters. Just curious.

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