HELP! AR exploded...

[KaneWLP]

My AR exploded today at the range. I fired 20 rounds of reloads that my buddy picked up from a gun show. About four other people were shooting the same reloads. On the 20th round my magazine blew out of the mag well along with bottom of the bolt carrier. A friend was watching me shoot and confirmed that it was NOT due to a squib. After we were unable to remove the BCG (the bolt was unlocked part way but would not come out of battery to remove the BCG), he removed the buffer tube and drifted the BCG out. The round that exploded was in 2 pieces. The base of the case split where the primer seats which led to the extractor being bent, bottom of the carrier blowing off, upper receiver side walls expanding, mag blowing to pieces, and a very angry me. Any suggestions on what i should do or what caused this?

[X-NewYawker]

The key here is the word "reloads" from gun show
I do not put them in my guns
Even if I MAKE them.

Glad you're okay.

[John Browning]

The problem was the reloads. The degree of danger they present is inversely proportional to the attention span of the person who makes them.

I roll my own and have had zero problems. I'll never shoot anyone else's reloads, ever.

[Dhena81]

I almost bought some reloads from Ammo brothers that were designed for a Bolt gun that were for my AR.

[dieselpower]

how did your buddy confirm it wasn't a squib? If you the guy firing the gun didn't notice a squib...how the heck is an onlooker going to?

A squib can dislodge during the boom.

what you are saying is a single .223 case contained enough powder to not only blow the bullet out the front, but also blow the back of the case off and blow the bottom of the BCG out the magazine well.

I am glad you were not hurt. Its a good idea to replace the barrel extension, and the BCG

I think it fired out of battery...and ammo may or may NOT have played a part in that.

[Rock_Islander]

The problem was the reloads. The degree of danger they present is inversely proportional to the attention span of the person who makes them.

I roll my own and have had zero problems. I'll never shoot anyone else's reloads, ever.

What he said. I load my own ammo, and have had ZERO issues.

I don't trust anyone else's work because I wasn't at their workstation/workbench supervising their loads. My guess is that you had a double charge and *kaboom* there goes your rifle.

I'm very sorry to hear that this happened but I assume that you're okay because you haven't mentioned any injuries sustained, which I'm glad for.

[Call_me_Tom]

It's your gamble when using reloads.

[Rock_Islander]

There is also the possibility of mix-ups of gunpowder during their reloading process. If you load pistol/shotgun powder in rifle ammo, you can have baaaad results. Same if you load rifle powder to make pistol ammo.

[Redchevyman]

It looks like an out of battery explosion. The back of the shell was unsupported when it went boom! Maybe the primer was not fully seated. Inspect the rest of your ammo.

[BraveUlysses]

I think it fired out of battery...and ammo may or may NOT have played a part in that.

The first picture says a lot.

[sawchain]

Inspect the barrel for bulging to help confirm it wasn't a squib.

[Nessal]

What he said. I load my own ammo, and have had ZERO issues.

I don't trust anyone else's work because I wasn't at their workstation/workbench supervising their loads. My guess is that you had a double charge and *kaboom* there goes your rifle.

I'm very sorry to hear that this happened but I assume that you're okay because you haven't mentioned any injuries sustained, which I'm glad for.

Double charge on a .223? I would love to see someone cram 50grns into a .223 case.

[Lrchops]

It was a plant from Obama and the ATF

[pyro3k2]

I'm glad you are ok, good thing no one got hurt and everything that is damage is replaceable. As to what the source of the problem, could take some more pictures down the barrel and of the profile to help validate it wasn't a squib. Also some pictures of the fire control group could help. And not that this has anything to do with anything what are the specs of your rifle i'm just curious if you could PM me so I don't start a brand war.

[toby]

That sucks big time.... gun show bullets reloads or not are not a good buy. Unless your buying from a reputable seller you don't know what your getting?...imo