So I have been wanting a .17 since they came out. Well I had some spare cash and bought one the other day and talked the salesman into giving me a box of Ammo for it. He gave me a box of Winchester Super X 22 grain game point. Problem is this, I've shot the gun 3 times and 3 times only. All 3 shots the casings of the shells split or cracked. The first shot casing actually split to the point I had to take a knife and a gun cleaning rod to actually get the casing out. The next two shots just barely split the casing but still split it. I've been scared to shoot it since until I get a new box of shells. So my question is, are the shells just junk or is a brand new gun having issues?

Could be either gun or ammo. which gun it? unless it is a semi auto I would suspect the gun.

I responded to your other post on the same subject.

Are you sure you are using / have the correct caliber ammo?
Is it Winchester Super X .17 HMR 20gr Gamepoint (.17 HMR on the box)?


As far as I know Win doesnt make any 22 grain .17 hmr ammo.

is it a 17 winchester super magnum or hmr?

17HMR. and yeah rustler it's 20 grain I was mistaken. Sorry. The gun is a marlin 917 bolt action

Hi Quack,

I had a similar experience with some .17M2 ammo. I called the manufacturer and reported the problem giving them the lot number. They had me return it and then they replaced it at no charge with fresh ammo that works perfectly. I believe the issue was with the brass being too brittle. Perhaps it was not annealed properly or the alloy was wrong.

Good Luck,

I had this same problem with the Winchester's my advice don't use them! I have found that they are the least accurate of the. 17 hmr ammunition! I had several boxes and at least half of them all had split cases! If you can find the Remington ammo that's what i like or the CCI 20 gr FMJ