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How to Split Around Case Crimping

For anyone who enjoys shooting as a sport or hobby, handloading is a common and useful activity. It involves reusing cases and putting together your own bullet, which lowers costs and allows you to customize it for optimal precision in your firearm. However, this activity requires skill and practice for safety and good results. One of the most common problems in handloading is a split case during the crimping process. There are several ways to prevent splits when crimping a bullet.

Things You'll Need

Neck-turning tools
Propane torch
Expansion die

Instructions

- 1
  Turn the case neck to even the thickness. Determine the thickness that you need to reduce from the case neck -- information often found in a reloader's manual. Insert the case neck onto the turner mandrel, and secure the other end of the case with a clamp, which should come with the turner. Adjust the cutter using the knob on the turner, so that it will take off the desired amount. Then turn the clamp holding the bullet, to remove a small amount of brass.
- 2
  Anneal the case neck. Annealing is the process of heating metal to change its properties. Use a propane torch and heat the neck to about 750 degrees Fahrenheit, then cool the metal quickly with water. This is a good technique for cases that have been used several times already.
- 3
  Flare the case neck as little as possible when crimping. When you turn the expansion die to flare the case neck, open the neck just enough to insert the bullet. Overworking the neck and creating too wide a flare during the crimping process is one of the main causes of case splits.

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