Comments on: Case-Head Separation — Spot Problems Before Things Go Boom… https://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2013/12/case-head-separation-spot-problems-before-things-go-boom/ from AccurateShooter.com Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:50:21 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.26 By: Randy https://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2013/12/case-head-separation-spot-problems-before-things-go-boom/comment-page-1/#comment-43764 Fri, 20 Dec 2013 15:35:10 +0000 http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/?p=54127#comment-43764 The bent paper clip tool works fairly well for a prominent “stretch” ring, or a circumferential ring on the inside case wall where the case has thinned. This tool will have false negatives for more subtle rings, however.

An better test is performed by using a bright LED flashlight to light up the inside of the case while looking down into the case mouth. Shine the light up through the flash hole. You will see a bright ring if there is localized case wall thinning. In my experience with .223 cases, this flashlight test works better than the bent paper clip test.

This flashlight test works best after the cases have been cleaned, particularly when the cases have been wet-tumbled with stainless steel pin media. That type of case cleaning is not necessary, however.

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