Big Mistake

[Maxwell663]

Hey everyone,
The wife and I had a great day of shooting at the range today. Although I learned a big lesson today, pay super close attention 100% of the time even when loading you rifle mag. Yes, I loaded a .223 round in my 7.62x39 AK mag.
The wife was shooting at the table next to me, I loaded the AR mags for her and was watching her shoot while I was loading my AK mags. I fired the first 10 round AK mags and the fourth round in my 3rd mag just went puff when I pulled the trigger. I didn't know what happened. I released the mag, pulled open the bolt and there was the .223 round still in the rifle. I got it out and not knowing what to do next I put my AK rifle away and waited until I got home to start looking into it. When I got home I used my bore light to see if I had a squib load but nothing was stuck in the barrel. What I don't know is can something be wrong with my rifle that a gunsmith needs to fix or maybe parts that I have to replace? Here are a couple pictures. I know they're not every good. I took them with my cell phone.

[Barabas]

You sent a 5.56mm projo down a 7.62 bore. I'd check my firing pin and breech face for any molten brass or stress cracks but you're probably fine. Take a look at the locking lugs under magnification, they're probably fine.

This has been happening a lot recently, be careful out there.

[xxINKxx]

There was a post exactly like this a couple weeks ago. The guy somehow loaded a .223/556 round that was mixed into his ammo and shot it through his AK. The case looked like yours too. His gun was just fine. Theres really no way to tell if your gun is damaged without fully inspecting it. It could be very well perfectly fine

Glad noone was hurt.

[dieselpower]

OK this is twice in like 3 weeks...

please guys stay safe and watch your ammo.

Glad you are ok.

[Bongos]

wow, look at the case trying to fire form to the 7.62x39 chamber

[RobT2K]

Damn this is happening a lot lately, my friend had his 6.8 and 5.56 out shooting with me the other day and he shot a 5.56 out of the 6.8. It had a similar result and I think the round got jammed in the chamber.

At least it serves to make us all be a little more careful while we're out at the range.

[russ69]

I'm not an expert but I don't think you could build much pressure with such an undersized bullet. I'm kinda surprised it swelled the case but the pressure was bled out rather quickly. Clean the chamber and bolt face, it's probably fine.

Thanx, Russ

[slomofo]

Again?

[BigRich]

Considering the lack of pressure buildup from the very over sized chamber and bore, there would have been an inefficient powder burn. This might have created a dirty chamber and bore. Clean the rifle and inspect the chamber and bore for any obstructions or casing fragments. Beyond that you should be good to go. The problem starts when you try and fire a bullet that is too large for the bore, not the other way around.

[pyromensch]

wow, look at the case trying to fire form to the 7.62x39 chamber

it didn't make it

[Sailormilan2]

I found 3 cases that looked just like that a few years ago. Only difference was none of them ruptured.

[Maxwell663]

Thanks everyone for the feed back. I'm just glad that no one was hurt, it was kind of a wake up call to pay better attention. I will post any info if I find damage to my rifle...

[basalt]

Ammo not for the rifle I'm currently shooting never goes on my bench. I've loaded mags for my Dad similar to how you describe, but the ammo stays on his bench and I stand beside it.

[rojocorsa]

Glad nothing really bad happened and that it wasn't the other way around.

I'll be honest that I've never seen this before and though it's a no brainer, I find it interesting to see how the 5.56 took the shape of the 7.62 chamber--to the small curvy shoulder even. It goes to show the immense pressures inside a small cartridge.

This is good for the sake of everyone's learning experience, I think.

[glockwise2000]

Is this like the 2nd or 3rd time this month alone?

Good thing everyone is just fine. That is the most important thing.