When I shoot .38 special shells in my ruger blackhawk .357 magnum sometimes the shell casings split open. Any danger to shooter?

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When I shoot .38 special shells in my ruger blackhawk .357 magnum sometimes the shell casings split open. Any danger to shooter? Gun? Is it due to cheap shells? Thanks, Dave

[officerdom1987]

Sounds like cheap brass. Shouldn't be any trouble to the gun. I know alot of guys who reload who keep using the brass till it does split. Just be careful if the split brass gets too stuck, don't push on the extractor rod too hard; you may damage the gun that way.

[jhjimbo]

If the splits are factory brass around the bullet there could be something wrong.
If they are reloads, old brass, overloaded charges or shells made from something other than brass that could be the problem.
As long as the split is by the bullet there should be no problem, anywhere toward the case head and stop shooting them.
How do the .357's shoot ?