Drew
The examples you posted of mid-bore longitudinal splits tend to occur frequently in fluid steel barrels. This usually happens due to one of the following:
Barrel wall thickness under .025 thickness.
Partial bore obstruction. cocked wad or Item in the bore IE: spider nest, stick, snow etc.
Overpressured factory load or reload.
If there is a bulge at or near the terminal end of the split, it confirms an obstruction.
The lack of bulge indicates insufficent barrel wall thickness usually combined with an agressive choke constriction.
Over pressure generally manifests in multiple splits with 90 degree tears at the terminal ends.
Brad
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