Scratched Brass?

[bushog]

About 6 months ago I bought 200pcs or .50 Special brass from a guy on Gunbroker.

It wasn't cheap by any means but it's hard to find so I figured what the heck....

It showed up and about half of it was unfired and about half was. This is pretty much what the seller indicated.

What the seller didn't let on to was that 150 pieces of it are scratched. I don't mean a couple scratches...

I mean it's scratched pretty deeply all the way around many of the cases and about 3/4 of the way to the base of the cartridge.

I don't know how in the world he messed that many up and kept on doing it without figuring the problem out....

I seem to remember Zeus posting a while back when someone was having case splitting issues that scratches could cause the splitting.

Question is, how will it effect the life of the brass and is it even safe to shoot?

[bradshaw]

“.... bought 200pcs or .50 Special brass from a guy on Gunbroker..... about half of it was unfired and about half was..... seller didn't let on to was that 150 pieces of it are scratched. I don't mean a couple scratches.... scratched pretty deeply all the way around many of the cases and about 3/4 of the way to the base of the cartridge.

I don't know how in the world he messed that many up and kept on doing it without figuring the problem out.... remember Zeus posting a while back when someone was having case splitting issues that scratches could cause the splitting.

Question is, how will it effect the life of the brass and is it even safe to shoot?”
-----bushog

*****

Deep longitudinal scratches invite splits. Dirt on brass or in sizing die is a common culprit. I would consign such scratched brass to light loads. High pressure, loose chambers, a tight sizer----each by itself----promote splits.
David Bradshaw