Crusier ready, semi-auto - shells get deformed.

[happy.thoughts]

I have a Benelli M4, crusier ready using Federal LE132s. Same for my M2s. There are a few shells in the mag tube that seem to be deforming under the constant pressure from the mag spring. Is this common, bad shells or what Im doing wrong, thanks.

See the LEFT shell? How the folds are starting to crease open.


White grains leak from them.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

This happens commonly over time. Shotgun rounds under compression can and definitely do deform. Even with pump action shotguns. You just have to cycle out the shells intermittently and replace as needed. But even just cycling the same shells into and out of the tube can start to shred the hulls over time too.

[ysr_racer]

Stop looking at those shells, and shoot them

[tinman1975]

You may also consider downloading by a shell or two. I have found that those particular shells run just a tad long and you really have to stuff em in to get your full 7 in the tube. I just stick 2 Fiocci buck rounds in the tube first, followed by 5 federals...they seem to have really stiff hulls and also run a lot shorter than the federals....which frees up just a little space which may reduce the pressure exerted on the shells by a little bit. And for what it's worth....sometimes you get a lot number where the crimps we're done on a Friday afternoon down at the ole federal factory. I once got a case of the federal 1 buck that had a bit of the white buffer material seeping out of about 1 out of 5 shells just sitting in the box. Like ysr racer said.....I made sure to shoot those first! The buffer doesn't bother me much....I would be more concerned if you started to notice any bulging in the center of the hull which could lead to potential extraction problems

[sloppy joe]

It's normal just shoot that stuff.

[ysr_racer]

It's annealing, and it's perfectly normal

[vinny_land]

Excuse to hit the range and be a lead farmer!!!!! lol

[ysr_racer]

I'm a lead farmer mother ****er

[vinny_land]

I'm a lead farmer mother ****er

LOL

[hermosabeach]

The buffer leaking out normally does not jam up the mag tube.

Some silly folks will seal leaking buffer / loose crimps with candle wax....

I would keep the HD gun loaded with new ammo... that is fresh ammo and shoot that at the next training session

[happy.thoughts]

This happens commonly over time. Shotgun rounds under compression can and definitely do deform. Even with pump action shotguns. You just have to cycle out the shells intermittently and replace as needed. But even just cycling the same shells into and out of the tube can start to shred the hulls over time too.

Ahh cool! Thanks Bobby appreciate the info helps me a ton.

[happy.thoughts]

Stop looking at those shells, and shoot them

Yes sir!

[happy.thoughts]

You may also consider downloading by a shell or two. I have found that those particular shells run just a tad long and you really have to stuff em in to get your full 7 in the tube. I just stick 2 Fiocci buck rounds in the tube first, followed by 5 federals...they seem to have really stiff hulls and also run a lot shorter than the federals....which frees up just a little space which may reduce the pressure exerted on the shells by a little bit. And for what it's worth....sometimes you get a lot number where the crimps we're done on a Friday afternoon down at the ole federal factory. I once got a case of the federal 1 buck that had a bit of the white buffer material seeping out of about 1 out of 5 shells just sitting in the box. Like ysr racer said.....I made sure to shoot those first! The buffer doesn't bother me much....I would be more concerned if you started to notice any bulging in the center of the hull which could lead to potential extraction problems

Cool man thanks for that, makes sense.

[G.F.C.]

I agree with downloading. Over the course of 5 years I have left -1 in the tube and have never had a single problem. Some of the shells I had in my remington and winchester are several years old--just for the sake of science. They're still in perfect shape.

[tinman1975]

Oh also, I forgot to ask.....when you say cruiser ready.....does that mean you have a shell on the carrier? If you drop the bolt on an empty chamber....top off the tube and then pull the trigger or hit the little cartridge release latch....it should launch a shell onto the carrier and download the tube by 1. Now all you have to do is pull the charging handle to get the gun in service. Is that how you are doing it? Or are you topping off the mag tube, ghost loading one on the carrier and leaving the hammer cocked? if you are doing it the first way it doesnt seem like you should get any deformation