By now I am sure most of you have heard about the USA Ammo .223 reload issue. Well, I am a victim of it myself. Unfortunately for me, I received my ammo on Monday, July 25 and went to the range on Wednesday, July 27. The following is the email sent out by Trace Williams from USAAmmo.com on Thursday, July 28 (one lousy day too late for me!) - after I sent them an email telling them what happened:


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Dear Valued Customer,



We are privy to a possible issue with our 223 55gr FMJ Remanufactured ammunition, LOT#2906113 only. Since you received a shipment of this ammunition in July, you possibly received ammunition with LOT#2906113. If you did receive this product, we are asking you to immediately cease firing this ammunition and return it to us at our expense. Contact our office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm Central Standard Time, to receive instructions on packaging and shipping the ammunition back to our plant. We will immediately send you replacement ammunition in the full quantity of your original order.



We are committed to manufacturing the highest quality ammunition and this quality control measure is voluntary on our part to ensure our commitment. The 223 55gr FMJ Remanufactured ammunition is the only product affected by this action. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you and we will work tirelessly to limit any aggravation.



Sincerely,

USA Ammo

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I have emailed them 4 times, called and left 2 messages on their voicemail system and left one message with a live person (who promised someone would get right back to me). As of yet, I have not heard from USA Ammo regarding my issues. This particular gun was going to be an SBR (already submitted form 1), but obviously that isn't going to happen now!

For those of you who think I am an idiot for firing reloads in a new gun, I think it is important for you to know that I have used their ammo in the past with absolutely no issues. My buddy usually does the bulk ordering for us, but in this case I needed to really add a few 1000 rounds so I did the ordering (which may be fortunate since I can now prove it was their ammo). I thoroughly researched them prior to ever using them, and only found high marks on the reviews. I guess my trust was just too high (duh!). Believe this though- I will never again buy reloads. Nothing worse than having a gun blow up in your hands. I am very lucky to have not suffered any major injuries. I got some minor powder burns and scraps/scratches, but that is all.

Here are the pics I took of the damage. I used my phone, so they are not the best quality.

http://s1088.photobucket.com/albums/i327/bpenlandjr/KABOOM/?previewTheme=42&track=interstitial&previewCancelUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fs1088.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi327%2Fbpenlandjr%2FKABOOM%2F

<div style="width:480px;text-align:right;"><embed width="480" height="360" src="http://static.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" flashvars="rssFeed=http%3A%2F%2Ffeed1088.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi327%2Fbpenlandjr%2FKABOOM%2Ffeed.rss" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" /><a href="http://photobucket.com/redirect/album?showShareLB=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.pbsrc.com/share/icons/embed/btn_geturs.gif" style="border:none;" /></a><a href="http://s1088.photobucket.com/albums/i327/bpenlandjr/KABOOM/" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.pbsrc.com/share/icons/embed/btn_viewall.gif" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

That sucks. The only reloads I shoot are my Grandfathers'.


Fixed your pics.

working pic link for you

Nvm beat to it

Here ypu go OP

Glad your ok

They werent bs'ing about the ammunition having attitude...

Glad you ok but damn that sucks about your form 1 man

Glad you are not hurt. I wonder if there is a way to amend the Form 1 that you applied for? As when anything NFA gets damaged or the financial hit just goes deeper and deeper. At least you hadn't already done the engraving yet. Those 556 are built like a tank and it appears to have held out pretty good compared to an AR upper.

PM inbound

Have they noted what the problem is with their ammo?  Was it an overload or using the incorrect powder?

Call your bank real quick and void the check number you sent out. Re send w new gun.

Someone had to be the guinea pig.. glad it wasn't me.

Sorry about your luck man, that sucks.. glad you're alright.

Did the lot number of your ammo that KB'd match up to the recall?  If there are others we should keep track a list.  I'm probably going to return all of mine for exchange to some pistol ammo instead.

I would call bank and stop payment on the check immediately! Then resend form 1 with new gun. Also, if you have a attorney friend, I would have them send a letter with a letterhead to the ammo company. Be surprised what those letterheads can accomplish! Glad your ok brother.

What ammo lot was it?

Hire a lawyer!

You want a new rifle, a full refund for the ammo and some pain and suffering money.

Bummers.

It's in the original post.

They really do have a problem. I am glad they recalled their ammo but it sucks so many guns are being destroyed.

Why hire a lawyer?  This has already happened w/ another guy and they are taking care of him.  What pain and suffering? It's sad that people (like you JB) try and make a quick buck.

What usually happens when a rifle Kabooms?  The rifle manufacturer and the ammo manufacturer play the blame game and point fingers at each other.  Then the owner is out a rifle.  With the other guy(http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118/543339_Epic_KABOOM___SandW_MandP15T_destroyed___Updates_in_OP___Ammo_recalled.html) USA Ammo has admitted fault, recalled the ammo, and is paying the guy for his rifle/damaged accessories.

Pain and suffering money

Dear ARFCOMers:

Please stop buying shitty ammo and then acting surprised when it blows your gun up.

That is all.

USAAmmo has probably replaced more guns than any other ammo mfg.......

I have heard of this happening enough that I simply wont shoot commercial reloads.
Glad your ok, OP.. Thank GOD you didn't take it in the eyes. That firearm can be replaced.......

I now recall why all my ammo comes from Black Hills or Lake City.

Ouch. Glad I didn't jump on that deal.

Replacement rifle, yes. Pain and suffering? !?!? Seriously? Can I see your man card... thank you, CONFISCATED!!!!!!!!

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Wow, another one? I know they recalled the lot and all but now I really don't want to put their ammo in my gun. I got 500 rounds of their new .223 with the gearhog deal. Sorry about your rifle op, good thing you didn't get seriously injured.

I also ordered 500 rounds of the "New" .223 with the Gearhog deal.  The funny thing is they haven't even shipped it yet.  Been over 6 days now.  I wrote to customer service asking if the hold up was due to the Gearhog deal or if they were having quality control issues with the .223 ammo.  As of now I have not heard back from them.

my guess is powder...

Would this work?

The last few checks I've sent to the ATF weren't "cashed" ... they just somehow did an ACH transfer out of my checking account.  Not sure if putting a stop on the check # would stop the transfer of funds.  Someone correct me if I'm wrong.


Edit - screenshot of Trust account:



Checks 1033, 1034, and 1036 were to the ATF.  Kind of annoying because now I don't even get the cancelled checks to put in my NFA files to prove that the Trust paid for everything, not me.

Thanks SGocka for fixing my pics. I do not know how to do it properly (obviously!). My ammo lot is from the lot mentioned in the email - just had a 5 on the end of it. I am still waiting for these guys to call me. I got an email today from someone's personal email asking me when I was going to send them my rifle, but have not confirmed it to be legit just yet.

I also lucked out with my form 1. The examiner just got the paperwork, and she is setting it aside until I send her a new serial number. I have to get a new gun/serial number quickly though. I will most likely buy a new one now and look to get reimbursed by USAAmmo. Hope they step up! All i want is a refund for the ammo I ibought and a new gun. Not trying to make any money here.

Pain - I'm sure having that rifle blow up in his hand hurt like hell and probably cut him up some.

Suffering -  A prized possession of his was destroyed by the manufacturer's negligence, and a Kaboom leaves significant mental issues that can take awhile to get over (if ever).

Call him a wuss, but the fact is he DID experience pain and suffering on account of USA ammo.  For you "tough guys" out there, pain and suffering doesn't always mean the extreme of having a leg blown off or an eye shot out.

Wow, that is BAD NEWS, glad to hear that you are okay and your eyesight is intact. I only shoot reloads in my 556s but they are all mine own. What a bummer....

I don't understand the whole "not wanting to shoot commercial reloads" thing. What difference is it if the same company uses once fired brass or new brass? Would you shoot Black Hills commercial ammo? Would you shoot Black Hills commercial reloads?

take prudence there....  sounds like a scam (of course WTF would someone want with a damaged unit (except it IS registered in a way(

I think USA will or should send a label to you... prepaid.

good luck with it!!

Yeah, my thoughts exactly! The email address is from AOL too, which is not what I would expect from the company (doesn't match with other emails). I think it is a scam. Perhaps they want the "carcass" of my rifle so they can get a new rifle?? Anyhow, I asked this person to call me - without giving him my phone number. USAAmmo has it from my order. I know that to be a fact from the one time I did get a live person over there.

I'm not seeing where in the OP's post a confirmation that his lot matched the lot of the recall.  The OP's post only had the repost of the original recall letter.

Glad to hear your okay.  Sad to see another AR RIP.

Thanks, I was looking too much in the first post and for a number so I missed that.

Ok guys, finally got some action going on this issue with USAAmmo.com. Apparently the email I got last night is legit. Trace Williams from USAAmmo told me their email servers went down (wonder why??LOL) and this person is actually the one who is inspecting the rifles. They claim to have emailed me UPS labels to return the ammo, and offered to inspect the gun in an email sent on Friday (which I never received). Anyhow, today Trace will be emailing me all the UPS labels to return the ammo and my gun. Looks like I should be taken care of (fingers crossed).

I explained to him that this is all I wanted, and that IF i had received the email they supposedly sent on Friday, then none of my follow emails mentioning my attorney would have been necessary.

I also explained to him that this is a Sig Sauer P556 PISTOL with a 10" barrel which is slated for SBR conversion (just waiting on BATFE stamp) so please send me the correct gun! BATFE was kind enough to pull my application and hold it for the time being until I give them a replacement serial number. I hope this goes smoothly! Too many moving parts in this story and it makes me nervous!!

I will keep you all posted. If they make good, then I will commend them for doing so. If not, then I will blast them for being a shotty company. Ball is in their court.

Bill

The problem is they are idiots and don't know how to properly load ammo.

Pre-internet there were (and still are) a number of small commercial reloading companies with varying degrees of QC issues that developed reputations for consistently loading poorly reloaded ammunition that blew up guns.



Before the internet, you wouldn't hear about it because there was no medium to spread the message other than word of mouth. And since these companies survived off of new shooters, the fact that savvy old shooters didn't but their ammo was of no concern to them.



Companies like American Ammunition (which I think is also been called AMERTECH IIRC), Maine Cartridge Company, USA Ammo, etc. Then there are the smaller companies that came and went and the regional small companies that sell at gun shows. Maybe they get overwhelmed with demand. Maybe they get careless.



It also happens with big ammunition companies. Remington green box .223 was pretty bad about blowing ARs for a while. Seller & Bellot .223 got christened "Seller and Blowup" after a bad lot of ammo.



I don't shoot commercial reloads from anybody but Black Hills because Black Hills has shown that it's QC is up to snuff (I've never tried Georgia Arms but they have a good rep too).



I don't shoot gun show baggie reloads - that's beyond stupid no matter how long you've been doing it or how long the guy has been reloading. When your gun ka-Booms, he's not going to be able to handle the liability and you're going to be screwed.



And I don't get my panties wet over some internet sensation flash-in-the-pan local reloader / "remanufacturer" (who remembers Lancer?).



I don't shot anyone else's reloads in my gun and I don't offer my reloads to anyone shooting my guns or for their guns - if I screwed up, I will pay, not them.



People sneer at Wolf .223, but I've never heard of a Wolf .223 ka-Boom.



Yes, any ammunition manufacturer can load a bad lot. But a distressing number of commercial reloaders / "remanufacturers" make a habit of it. And there are new shooters at every gun show / internet feeding frenzy for hem to sell to.

Looks like their ammo does "have an attitude".  Another reason, as I have said before, to NEVER SHOOT ANYBODY'S RELOADS BUT YOUR OWN...regardless of mfg's reputation.  I'd rather blow up 1 of my guns on my own and have myself to blame vs shooting reloads of unknown quality.

Got me worried, too. I ordered 1000 assorted ammo, on the 22nd, no word except they got my order, and billed my credit card. I got 2 of the Gearhog 50 for 100 dollar deals. Maybe I'll buy some tannerite with the one I have left.

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Black Hills actually buys their bullets from USA Ammo. Black Hills also bought a couple of USA Ammo's reloading machines. The two companies are somewhat connected. The obvious difference is someone, somewhere, somehow made a major mistake at USA Ammo.

I spent some time on the phone yesterday with one of their reps, and he told me all about their operation at USA, the way the machines work (fiber optic, laser measurement, led trip lights, etc) and he told me that these new modern machines have so many safeguards built into them that it nearly impossible to do a double load, or even use the wrong type of powder. He thinks the issue is actually in the manufacture of the powder itself. Most of what he was saying went over my head, since I am no ammo-master-know-it-all, but it did make sense (at least at the time).

Either way, they are going to fully reimburse me for my losses. I am buying a new gun, and once they receive the receipts I will be reimbursed. So, off to find a new P556! My local dealer is working with Sig to get a new one for me.

Luckily, as I stated before, my Sig held the damage in very, very well. All I got were some minor powder burns (gone within 2 days), and some very minor scratches. My eye protection did it's job, as well as my shooting gloves! After seeing pics of the M&P 15 that got Kaboom-ed, my Sig actually held up much better (bolt was not completely destroyed, just cracked the head and broke the extractor; and the chamber was bowed out, and cracked the back of the upper). I will certainly have no issues buying another Sig Sauer P556!

I will keep you guys posted!

Bill

Wow, that's a pretty presumptuous statement - how exactly did you assess their intelligence and/or ability to load ammo?   Is your entire statement derived from these 2 incidents?

USA Ammo has gone out of their way to own this issue and make it right.  I've never heard of another ammo manufacturer doing the same so fast with so much earnestness.

[sarcasm] I hope people stop buying their ammo - that will keep the price down for me!!! [/sarcasm]

Some people are just closed minded is all.  There is no better time to buy usaammo than now since they are double checking everything in their production process and most importantly they are standing behind their product.  You simply can't ask for more because all manufacturers have issued recalls due to production errors and when anything is mass produced by man and machine nothing will ever be 100%.  The difference is the other producers won't pay to fix the rifle.

I agree with both Titanse05 and Kala_azar. And I am the o/p who lost a gun!