Underwood 200 XTP Brass Blow OUT!

pacapcop · May 19 2013 09:03:57 AM MDT

I have the same #'s on my batch in Nickel.

Patriot · May 19 2013 09:16:07 AM MDT

Quote from: Von on May 18 2013 05:51:26 PM MDT
Another explanation for one of the high readings you got on the chrono is that one or more of the bullets in that box was the wrong weight. I bought some 200 grain xtp's on 4/27 and the first one I pulled out of the box was a 155 grain xtp in the nickel case.

That is simply unacceptable. This is reason #2 I reload. Reason #1 being manufactured ammo rarely performs at advertised specifications.

doverpack12 · May 19 2013 03:18:00 PM MDT

All visible markings I can find on the box are shown in the pictures

BillC · May 19 2013 09:33:58 PM MDT

No lot/batch numbers on any of my Underwood ammo. Maybe the delivery guy dropped that box.... more reason for me to start reloading.

doverpack12 · May 24 2013 08:28:12 PM MDT

Changed to a ISMI 24 lb recoil spring today from the 22 lb I had in and shot some more Underwood 200 XTP from the same box I had the blowout I first posted on the thread. Well HAD ANOTHER today not the same though. Picture below shows it. These shoot great other than the brass no being up to par or the loads being too hot for it.

[attachment deleted by admin]

The_Shadow · May 24 2013 08:37:56 PM MDT

That brass has to be brittle, not annealed properly or alloy mixture issue ${$default_huh_smiley}$

RMM · May 24 2013 08:46:00 PM MDT

Bad brass! It looks like it's too brittle. Looks like the new batch/supplier didn't work out too well

doverpack12 · May 24 2013 11:19:02 PM MDT

I only shot 3 times. One had a small smile then there was this piece that split and the third looks fine. Two were almost touching right where i was aiming and the third was about 6" right could have been me but i felt good about the shot until i saw the impact location.

REDLINE · May 25 2013 02:41:23 AM MDT

Wow. Wish we knew the make of brass.

Intercooler · May 25 2013 03:29:35 AM MDT

It's going to be Starline. Kevin has never used anything but Starline.

DM1906 · May 25 2013 08:18:49 AM MDT

Quote from: Intercooler on May 25 2013 03:29:35 AM MDT
It's going to be Starline. Kevin has never used anything but Starline.

I don't think so. He couldn't get his "regular" Starline order, so he had to get "something else". Starline is backordered on 10mm, months away, the reason he can't get enough. Starline didn't "just happen" to have a supply of nickel brass (with his headstamp) laying around to get him by until the regular order shipped. Nickel order lead times are further out than plain brass (3-6 months, by recent reports, no exceptions). He went to another bulk supplier, that somehow was able to fill a large custom order in a short period. This means it's a "less popular" supplier, which usually indicates "less desirable", or a supplier not used by any other major ammunition manufacturer. Probably Armscor or one of their subs (possibly overseas, indicated by the short lead period), which could explain the quality issue. The failures you've seen here are not common of Starline brass, plain or nickel. If Starline were, somehow, able to fill an order of nickel brass, they surely would have been able to fill a plain brass order in the same or less time. Kevin apologized for having nickel brass, but I think he was apologizing for more than just that.

s0nspark · May 25 2013 08:40:17 AM MDT

Quote from: DM1906 on May 25 2013 08:18:49 AM MDTKevin apologized for having nickel brass, but I think he was apologizing for more than just that.

this begs a Noob Question... is nickel plated brass less desirable from a reloading perspective?

DM1906 · May 25 2013 08:46:06 AM MDT

Quote from: s0nspark on May 25 2013 08:40:17 AM MDT
Quote from: DM1906 on May 25 2013 08:18:49 AM MDTKevin apologized for having nickel brass, but I think he was apologizing for more than just that.

this begs a Noob Question... is nickel plated brass less desirable from a reloading perspective?

No. I prefer nickel. Some don't. Why he did, I dunno. It couldn't be just the cost, as the difference is a few pennies per box.

Intercooler · May 25 2013 09:44:40 AM MDT

Picture of the headstamp on the brass so we can solve the puzzle.

REDLINE · May 25 2013 12:59:48 PM MDT

Quote from: DM1906 on May 25 2013 08:18:49 AM MDT
Quote from: Intercooler on May 25 2013 03:29:35 AM MDTIt's going to be Starline. Kevin has never used anything but Starline.

I don't think so. He couldn't get his "regular" Starline order, so he had to get "something else". Starline is backordered on 10mm, months away, the reason he can't get enough. Starline didn't "just happen" to have a supply of nickel brass (with his headstamp) laying around to get him by until the regular order shipped. Nickel order lead times are further out than plain brass (3-6 months, by recent reports, no exceptions). He went to another bulk supplier, that somehow was able to fill a large custom order in a short period. This means it's a "less popular" supplier, which usually indicates "less desirable", or a supplier not used by any other major ammunition manufacturer. Probably Armscor or one of their subs (possibly overseas, indicated by the short lead period), which could explain the quality issue. The failures you've seen here are not common of Starline brass, plain or nickel. If Starline were, somehow, able to fill an order of nickel brass, they surely would have been able to fill a plain brass order in the same or less time. Kevin apologized for having nickel brass, but I think he was apologizing for more than just that.

DM1906; I was thinking the same thing.