Buckshot Shells Expanding In Magazine?

[MAC762]

Haven't been able to search any info on this issue, so posting here for help. I had two Mossbergs 500s with 5 rounds of 00 Buckshot loaded in each magazine tube. Rounds have been in the magazines for less than 12 months and were Winchester Super X. When I went to strip down and oil the guns, I found the rounds would not chamber all the way and got stuck. Upon closer examination of the rounds, it appears the ends have expanded a little bit. Wondering if this has something to do with the magazine compression, weather conditions, or problem with the manufacturing. I've kept shotguns loaded like this for years and never had a problem, although I did move to a more humid climate a few years ago. Attaching a couple pics, but it may be hard to see. Anybody else have this problem?

[fawndog]

lube/clp swelled it ?

[Pofoo]

Looks like the crimp is messed up. The raised rib around the edge is mashed down. Maybe from being under compression in the magazine. Strong mag spring or maybe soft hull material?

[870classic]

I think Pofoo is on the right path. The crimp looks like it is coming uncrimped and expanding the top of the shell. Good thing you caught it now and not when you really needed to use the shotgun.

I have run into this problem YEARS ago with OLDER Federal paper shells that swelled with higher humidity, however. I have never run across this with plastic shells "swelling".

A few questions:
Are these reloads or factory fresh rounds? (Something reloading can not fully crimp the shells tight and the crimp may back-out.)

Do you have any of the ammunition outside of the gun in storage? (If so, take a look at the unloaded rounds and see if the top of the case is expanding as well? Use a caliper or micrometer to check the top of the shell and compare it to an area in the midpoint of the shell.)

Are all the shells exhibiting this symptom? (inside and outside of the shotgun.)

In the short run, try another brand of ammunition.

Best regards,
870classic.

[russ69]

I guess with enough spring pressure and heat the plastic could deform. Do you have a plug in the gun?

[aippi]

Maxing out the magazine capacity does that. Lesson learned and no pain involved. Could have been fatal if you need one of those weapons and the shells would not feed. Also thanks for posting it as others who may have done the same thing all got up and checked their weapons. You may have saved a life.

[MAC762]

Maxing out the magazine capacity does that. Lesson learned and no pain involved. Could have been fatal if you need one of those weapons and the shells would not feed. Also thanks for posting it as others who may have done the same thing all got up and checked their weapons. You may have saved a life.

This is why I am concerned. Was actually, at the time, attempting to give my wife a refresher on security precautions and this was a major fail. What should I do differently? Less rounds in the magazine? Or is there better ammo out there to use in order to max out the capacity?

['ol shooter]

I am using S&B 00 shells, and the hulls have a separate disc inserted over the shot, then the cartridge end is rolled over smoothly. Good shooting ammo.

[Bainter1212]

Thanks for posting OP. I'll have to manually cycle mine sometime tomorrow and check to see if any of mine are doing that, I have all 8 in the mag tube.
Luckily I also have several other options available.

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

[supermario]

I thought that was ONLY an issue with magazine fed shoguns, because I used to have my Saiga 12 loaded and the top round would deform and cause a malfunction. So I started to download the magazine and it seemed to take away the problem.
But now that I know that happen to tube fed shotguns, well I'm thinking in this day and age, ammo is just made crappier.
I never heard of this issues in 30 years.
I think a lot of issues come up now because manufacturers just don't make good ammo, there always cutting cost someplace. In this case, I bet the plastic is just not as good as it used to be. That's my 02 cents but this information is great to know. Could be life saving as well.

[xXRifleManXx]

I am using S&B 00 shells, and the hulls have a separate disc inserted over the shot, then the cartridge end is rolled over smoothly. Good shooting ammo.

I have 500 #4 buck of this stuff through my 590a1....good to go no issues.

[FLIGHT762]

Yes, magazine tubes loaded to max over months will cause certain MFG. shell crimps to swell / deform. Ammo has to be checked regularly and inspected.

The worst shells were Winchester. I would rotate ammo about every 6 months in our Patrol cars.

[Gun Kraft]

Interesting. Alternate data point: Federal shells loaded (and unloaded at the start of every shift) in 870s and 3000s for years at a time haven't exhibited this problem in our department. Not to say it can't happen, just that it isn't guaranteed. Still better safe than sorry.

[Thefeeder]

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Its the construction of the hull. Thin is in...cost less to make...costs less to buy.

I would not be surprised (from the pics) if the OP finds the shortening of the shell to be from the hull being pushed into the base.

One solution is to find shells loaded in one piece hulls if that info is even available as it is for target shells. Another, is a simple squeeze test....if it feels soft, it is.....and will deform easier and faster.

Still, shells compressed in a mag tube for almost a year without being moved? That is asking quite a bit.

[JagerDog]

I've had brand new 20g 3" mags from Winchester look like that. Actually a flat of their copper plated pheasant rounds. I'll only shoot them in my breech loaders. 10# of poop in a 5# bag.