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Posted: 7/24/2001 3:46:00 PM EDT

I bought my first rifle nearly a month ago now, and finally yesterday I was able to go out and take it for a spin.

It was exhilarating. I had 80 rounds, and went through it all. My Thermolds performed great, but I had some problems with a used 20 rounder I picked up. At any rate, it was a blast.

I saved the shell from my first round, but something odd happened to it when I fired it:
[img]http://www.capro.org/ar/P7240026s.jpg[/img]
can someone tell me why that crack would form when I fired it?

Posted: 7/24/2001 3:54:46 PM EDT

[#1]

Where did you get the ammo? Was it new manufacture or was it reload? If reload it may have been a case that was loaded too many times, thus stressed.
What did the rest of the cases look like? If this is the only problem case i would think it was a bad case.
One last note, Be very careful with reloads, especially if not your own work. Good luck. fullclip

Posted: 7/24/2001 4:01:46 PM EDT

[#2]

I would agree - definately a brass problem. Fullclip asked all the right questions. Looks like the neck wasn't annealed, so I'm guessing that this wasn't top-of-the-line mil grade. (nothing wrong with that - i just got done shooting a bunch of SA PMP myself) If the other rounds looked ok, my guess is that it was just a flawed case that had a small crease in it.

Tate

Posted: 7/24/2001 4:28:54 PM EDT

[#3]

I had 3 boxes of Winchester, and 1 of "Sellier & Bellot" The Sellier & Bellot was the one that cracked, 2 from that box also failed to fire. Out of the 3 boxes of Winchester ammo I had 1 failure.

When I get around to buying some bulk ammo, who should I go with? I hear IMI is good.

Posted: 7/24/2001 4:31:50 PM EDT

[#4]

Sounds like reloads tome, or cheap Euro berdan primed crap. Stick to US spec M193 factory loads, and you'll be okay.

Posted: 7/24/2001 4:38:12 PM EDT

[#5]

I knew you were going to say S&B. It seems that they released a bad batch of brass recently, because there have been several reports of this. Older lots work fine.

-Troy

Posted: 7/24/2001 4:54:15 PM EDT

[#6]

i'll never use s&b brass again. I had some once fired i reloaded. Out of the first mag 10 for 10 failed.

Posted: 7/24/2001 5:19:43 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
I knew you were going to say S&B. It seems that they released a bad batch of brass recently, because there have been several reports of this. Older lots work fine.

-Troy

View Quote

Troy,

do you know if this is true of the S&B 9mm and .45acp cartridges too?

THanks!

Posted: 7/24/2001 5:30:24 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:

When I get around to buying some bulk ammo, who should I go with? I hear IMI is good.

View Quote

Fired some of the South African surplus 223 in 300 round sealed battle packs and had no problems with it. Most people have given it good marks and it is affordable.

Posted: 7/24/2001 5:37:29 PM EDT

[#9]

Definitley sub standard reload.The rifle isnt a parts gun is it?

Posted: 7/24/2001 5:56:09 PM EDT

[#10]

Had a Mauser that did that. Took it in to the gunsmith, and had it taken down a turn on the barrel to re-headspace the thing, and then reamed. Worked like a charm after that. But for your problem, sounds like bad brass.

Posted: 7/24/2001 6:13:39 PM EDT

[#11]

Thanks for the input.

Where would I expect to come across some South African Ammo? What's the price usually like?

My rifle is a Colt Sporter Match HBAR, preban. I only had one round split like that, so I really doubt it's my rifle.

Posted: 7/24/2001 6:17:32 PM EDT

[#12]

No, it's prob not your rifle. But since it isn't, relax, buy quality ammo, were eye protection, and enjoy. NEVER shoot reloads that aren't your own! Good luck!

Posted: 7/24/2001 9:38:28 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
Looks like the neck wasn't annealed,

my guess is that it was just a flawed case that had a small crease in it.Tate

View Quote

If the neck wasn't annealed, the neck would have split, but your guess about a flawed case is correct. I've seen Win cases do that on first firing
KenS

Posted: 7/24/2001 9:57:03 PM EDT

[#14]

[url]http://www.wideners.com/shopping/cart.asp?Action=Details&item=IMIM193[/url]

Posted: 7/24/2001 10:03:34 PM EDT

[#15]

It seems S&B brass is harder than a whore's heart. You can sure tell pistol cases are S&B if you are sizing random plinking brass with mixed headstamps. It sizes noticably harder. I don't know if their rifle brass is the same, but it wouldn't surprise me. Their primer pockets are very tight also--hard to prime. Personally, I think their ammo is over rated. Cheap isn't always good. My .02.

Posted: 7/24/2001 10:07:03 PM EDT

[#16]

This can happen with any ammo manufacturer, freak quality control issue is what I'd sum it up to be.

I've had this happen once before while using PMC, was sorting through my once fired brass and there was a PMC casing that had a split in it EXACTLY like the one in the picture.

Then, more interestingly I've got a fresh loaded round here on my desk that is factory loaded UMC 55grn 223Rem. It's got a split right down the side of the case and it hasn't even been fired, looked like as it was being formed the case was ripped some how and when it got cycled through the forming die the split was closed up and it managed to pass inspection.

Needless to say I'm VERY glad I caught this factory split casing, I'm still debating on whether or not I want to send it into Remington/UMC to see if they will give me a free box.

Posted: 7/24/2001 10:43:40 PM EDT

[#17]

Be sure to clean your chamber good after an event such as that.
Might not hurt to take a bore light and give her a visual too. You may avert an even greater problem.

Chuck

Posted: 7/25/2001 5:26:56 AM EDT

[#18]

A link to buy the good South African ammo:
[url]http://www.sportsmansguide.com/showad.html?promo_code=WX0&item_id=51729&dc_id=60[url]

[8)]

It's great to buy 300 rd or 600 rd packs, but it would be in your best interests to buy a 2700rd pack, it comes with a good water-tight ammunition crate/case/can. Great stuff.

[b]DON'T TRY TO RELOAD IT! This stuff is NOT GOOD for reloading.[/b]

-inuhbadnayburhood

Posted: 7/25/2001 5:31:25 AM EDT

[#19]

Uhh, No.

The plastic container you get with the 2700 rounds is NOT air or water tight.

Posted: 7/25/2001 5:39:42 AM EDT

[#20]

The plastic container doesn't need to be air or water tight, since the ammo is sealed in battle packs.

Great ammo for a great price.

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