Help identify what happened

[pacrat]

Backwards primer would leave the cup still in the pocket. I did that once on purpose after seating a primer azzbkwards. Fired it with no powder to clear pocket. Still had to deprime case to get cup out.

No flash hole evident in case after mishap. Seen that before.

Case damage looks like insufficient bell in case mouth when bullet was seated.


JM2c

[rsrocket1]

With no flash hole, it was unlikely to be a reload. How can you reload a case that can never shoot out a bullet in the first place? Unless it was using new defective brass.

The wrinkled cartridge could have been damaged when trying to work the action especially if it was jammed forward by the force of the primer. You may also have a primer floating around inside your gun. You should make sure it's not still in there.

[LynnJr]

Primer was in the case correctly but without a flashhole it had nowhere to go so it all came straight back locking up the bolt.
I had the same exact thing happen on a 300 Ackley and had to replace the firing pin assembly. The force of the primer all by itself pushed the firing pin assembly back so hard it sheared off the cocking piece retention screw on a BAT model M action.

[ironhorse1]

That final picture shows the rest of the story. No flash hole in the case sent the primer force and metal bits into the action.

Thanks for posting the pictures.

irh

[JagerDog]

Looks like the flash hole was never punched through. I'd guess the primer was in correctly and had no where to go but back. Lucky fellow!

In fact a Google search finds missing a flash hole is not unheard of. This is also RP ammo.

Ooopsies. Ya...new info clarifies that. Previously it was surmised the cup may still be in there (backwards).

I wonder if a backward primer would fire with a firing pin strike? I'm prolly not going to test that though.

[Wrangler John]

Well, there's one good reason for inspecting every new case, and using a flash hole deburring tool even for cartridges that normally wouldn't be given such attention. I always thought I was being a little stupid for deburring new pistol cases, but now I'm not so sure.

[slamfire1]

EEK! no flash hole on factory ammunition.

For what we are paying for factory ammunition, you would think they would include a flash hole in the case!! Is that some sort of option, something that used to be free but now they charge a fee?, like checking your baggage at the Airport? And being able to stay in your seat without having the Airline remove you because an overbooked passenger paid a higher ticket price?

[pacrat]

Ooopsies. Ya...new info clarifies that. Previously it was surmised the cup may still be in there (backwards).

I wonder if a backward primer would fire with a firing pin strike? I'm prolly not going to test that though.

If there is enough pin protrusion to allow the anvil to be struck. It most certainly will. BTDT

71musty said

^^^This makes total sense and is consistent with the damage to the shell. Look at where the lip of the shell started to curl up against the end of the chamber.

If the case damage had been done "in a supported chamber". It would be circumferential. Not just on one side. Which means damage was likely done while seating the bullet.

New factory ammo does rarely involve no flash hole in the case. I've bought new factory case lots that had some with no flash holes. Factory ammo also sometimes makes it past QC with crookedly seated bullets.

OPs buddy won the lotto, and against the odds got a round with both issues.

Crap happens and that Murphy a-hole loves to mess with shooters. This time the Murphy Bird doubled down and crapped on both shoulders of the OPs buddy.

There is no physical evidence to support any other theory.


JM2c

[Revoman]

Okay, so lemme get this straight....trying to understand....and offer another possibility?
The dent in the center of the OPs photo of the culprit round is a dent where the flash hole should be, why would there be a dent without a hole? Did the firing pin extend that far to make that dent, seems like a long way.

Or....is what we're looking at a primer that was struck by the firing pin, pushing the primer into the case? I have seen 'plastic practice rounds' (Speer used to make them) that have the flash hole area drilled out to use the plastic 'bullet' giving it more power. That would explain the light primer dent.
If that was the case and the primer went off just as the round entered the barrel/chamber, the gas would seek to easiest route out, the primer area, as the bullet was being jammed up front causing the deform/bend. Could this be one of those?
Just looking for a possible 'other' cause, if that is not a primer that is shown, then this theory is fill of holes.

[pacrat]

Okay, so lemme get this straight....trying to understand....and offer another possibility?
The dent in the center of the OPs photo of the culprit round is a dent where the flash hole should be, why would there be a dent without a hole? Did the firing pin extend that far to make that dent, seems like a long way.

Flash holes in primer pockets are not drilled. They are made with a punch. If the machine that was supposed to punch the hole was misadjusted or had a short or broken punch. There would likely be a ding but no hole.

Those I've seen with no flash hole didn't even have the ding.

JM2c

[Revoman]

Gotcha pacrat, thank you for the clarity!

[ElvenSoul]

Tell friend to buy Lotto tickets! Maybe still has some luck left?