Bought a Mosin Nagant 91/30 in the last couple of weeks. Ordered me some Wolf 148 gr. FMJ with Bi-metal cases, and fired some today. Out of one box, I had two of my cartridge cases crack. :mad: Both of them cracked vertically in the shoulder of the case. One had a crack 1/2" long, the other cracked a full inch and continued on through the end of the case where the bullet was seated.
Are these bullets crap, loaded too hot, or do I have another problem. I think this is common with this cartridge, but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas or thoughts on this??

Thanks

stop now this is a sign that your head space is out of spec.
and if you keep shooting the gun may go to pieces in your face.get the head space checked

Hi all -

Sorry sonic1, but incorrect headspace won't cause case splits of this type.
However, it's ALWAYS a good idea to have a mil-surp checked out by a knowledgeable person.

Not familiar w/Wolfe, but if front portion is steel, if it's old-stock mil-surp, then old age is likely the prob.
Try to find commercial or newer (post-ww2) all-brass surplus stuff.

regards,

stop now this is a sign that your head space is out of spec.
and if you keep shooting the gun may go to pieces in your face.get the head space checked
I thought the 7.62x54R headspaced on the rim. At least thats what I have been told by alot of people in the know. I would check and see if the cases are cracking in the same spot in relation to the chamber. Maybe there is a bit more space on one side than on the other.

Squint

Chevy, if you are using light ball ammo, try Heavy ball. Use brass case ammo, try it! Old Wolf ammo has always been hit or miss. I had this issue w/ Romanian 8mm ammo, it was light ball. I have never liked steel cased ammo, the steel degrages real fast! Most Bi-metal is steel W/ brass, or copper coating. 99 out of 100 headspace is not an issue! JP

Bought a Mosin Nagant 91/30 in the last couple of weeks. Ordered me some Wolf 148 gr. FMJ with Bi-metal cases, and fired some today. Out of one box, I had two of my cartridge cases crack. :mad: Both of them cracked vertically in the shoulder of the case. One had a crack 1/2" long, the other cracked a full inch and continued on through the end of the case where the bullet was seated.
Are these bullets crap, loaded too hot, or do I have another problem. I think this is common with this cartridge, but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas or thoughts on this??

ThanksGo to http://www.surplusrifle.com/downloads.asp info on field stripping and ammo to feed it.

Bought a case of ammo, milsurp, never had a problem in my M44 Romanian. Have you done a lead slug and wooden dowel check to see if the bore is really over-sized, especially at the breech. Some bad ones can be as bad as .316 instead of the .311 bore. That would be enough to have a cartridge split apart! :(