I had an FTE happen to me last summer when I was dumping lead on a running pack of hogs.  I went to pull the trigger, but discovered the rifle didn't cylce, so I reached up and racked the rifle hot again and continued to pour lead.  Never had a problem before this and not a problem since.  Just one of those things that made me go...mmm?  

I reload for this rifle and at the time the Remington brass was new, and I hand charge each round with powder from a RCBS digital powder dispenser.  

Since the rifle fired the round with just as much felt recoil as the others, what prevented the rifle from cycling?  I am inclined to think there was a fault with the gas system, but what and how?  

It is a SAI M1A STD...

Quoted: I'm assuming the problem hasn't recurred, and that the rifle has run properly since then.

You don't have to assume. I stated in my first post that the rifle has been running fine.  

Sounds like a short-stroke to me.

I said FTE cycling problem.  Short stroke is indeed the better term.  

Maybe a tad too little powder in the cartridge.

Each charge is dispensed by my RCBS 1500 Chargemaster, that I calibrate before every loading.  I don't accept powder charges that are more than 1/10th grain variance.  I hand assemble each round by pouring the powder into the case and then seating the bullet.  For these 155gr Amax + H8495 loads I have a 16 SD velocity consistency with ave MV of 2790 at 90-110 F.  

If the extractor somehow failed to keep a grip on the cartridge, and the bolt had gone all the way to the rear, then the bolt would have picked up a new cartridge and jammed it into the base of the old one which was still in the chamber.  That didn't happen.  So, next best guess is that bolt partially cycled, but not enough for cartridge to eject.  I.E. short stroke.

Roger that, short stroke established.  

Pretty hard to say on a one-time occurrence, though.

That's whats got me saying, "WTF was that?"

Objective analysis tells me I must have under loaded that failing round somehow.  The rifle cycles 100%, except for that one round that one day.  If there was a problem with the rifle there should be a pattern of the problem.  So, eliminate the rifle and all that is left is the ammo and operator error.  Which this problem is probably a mixture of both since I made the ammo.  But I just don't see how with my meticulous hand loading process.  Hell, maybe there was some moisture of some variable in the powder on that round that caused the failure.

Thanks, Raf.  Just wanted to bouce this issue off someone.