Popped Primers and a Squib

[jak77]

So I went to Angeles today to sight in my carry handle on my AR and put some reloads down range with my 1911. Basically I had a bad day. First off, I kept getting popped primers from the ammo I was using. I guess this is why it was so cheap. Every 10-20 rounds, a primer would pop out and jam up my AR. For the record, it is a BCM 16in carbine that has never given me problems before, plus Ive never had primers pop out before. Not only would it jam up my bcg, put one also got into my lower that wouldnt let me pull the trigger. It was very annoying.

Anyway, I was wondering what is causing the primers to pop out exactly. Is it because the rounds are loaded too hot and causing overpressure? I seem to recall overpressure being a reason for popped primers, but Im not sure. Also, on a few of the spent brass, I noticed the neck was cracked. I reload for .45acp at the moment so I dont know too much about rifle reloading and the warning signs.

Then, I went over to the pistol gallery to shoot at some steel. After about 50 rounds or so, I loaded up a fresh mag and pulled the trigger, nothing happened. I thought maybe a round didnt chamber, so I racked the slide and an empty case fell out. So I looked through the barrel, and lo and behold, a 200gr lswc is lodged in there. Thank God I caught it and didnt put another round down the pipe

Its my first squib, so whats the best way to get it out? Wooden dowel? And do push it out the way the bullet is supposed to travel down the barrel or the other way? Its closer to the feedramp if that helps.

Anyway, today was not a very good day at the range

[Chief-7700]

Shooting seconds through your AR, well you found out why they were seconds.
Wooden dowel from the muzzle end towards the chamber will work. First remove barrel from gun.
Chief

[Antihero47]

What was the brand and specs on the box of .223? Can you post pictures of the a few spent brass necks and head-stamps as well as a newer round?

It could be possible pressure issues, or bad primer pockets. Looking at some of the spent brass could help us figure it out.

As for the .45, knock it out with a wooden dowel back out the way it came. Its closer to the feed ramp so it would easier.

Edit: noticed they were factory seconds, I would check the over all length with calipers and see where the bullet is set. It could be these were seated too low to meet inspection guidelines or possible shoulder setback.

Edit 2: Curious as to if these rounds have primer crimps inside the brass. Could be they do not or they were run with not enough tension. If they do I would seriously think that they are over pressure due to powder charge, bullet setback, too much crimp on bullet, bad headspace dimensions causing excessive expansion of the casing in the chamber... who knows till we see the pics.

[Chief-7700]

Click on the blue AMMO link in the Op's thread.

[EmmaGoldman]

You couldn't pay me to shoot reloads by someone who sells "seconds". Consider yourself lucky and consider the seller dangerous.

[joelogic]

"Most all should function fine. Most problems are cosmetic. But this ammo is not guaranteed" - Awesome.

[Chief-7700]

So I went to Angeles today to sight in my carry handle on my AR and put some reloads down range with my 1911. Basically I had a bad day. First off, I kept getting popped primers from the ammo I was using. I guess this is why it was so cheap. Every 10-20 rounds, a primer would pop out and jam up my AR. For the record, it is a BCM 16in carbine that has never given me problems before, plus Ive never had primers pop out before. Not only would it jam up my bcg, put one also got into my lower that wouldnt let me pull the trigger. It was very annoying.

Anyway, I was wondering what is causing the primers to pop out exactly. Is it because the rounds are loaded too hot and causing overpressure? I seem to recall overpressure being a reason for popped primers, but Im not sure. Also, on a few of the spent brass, I noticed the neck was cracked. I reload for .45acp at the moment so I dont know too much about rifle reloading and the warning signs.

Then, I went over to the pistol gallery to shoot at some steel. After about 50 rounds or so, I loaded up a fresh mag and pulled the trigger, nothing happened. I thought maybe a round didnt chamber, so I racked the slide and an empty case fell out. So I looked through the barrel, and lo and behold, a 200gr lswc is lodged in there. Thank God I caught it and didnt put another round down the pipe

Its my first squib, so whats the best way to get it out? Wooden dowel? And do push it out the way the bullet is supposed to travel down the barrel or the other way? Its closer to the feedramp if that helps.

Anyway, today was not a very good day at the range

Jak, Still wondering about your logic to shoot crappy, cheap. seconds ammo out of your AR.... You need to pay more attention to your reloading skills with .45ACP.. Sure would be sad to read a post about you blowing up your 1911.
Chief

[jak77]

What was the brand and specs on the box of .223? Can you post pictures of the a few spent brass necks and head-stamps as well as a newer round?

It could be possible pressure issues, or bad primer pockets. Looking at some of the spent brass could help us figure it out.

As for the .45, knock it out with a wooden dowel back out the way it came. Its closer to the feed ramp so it would easier.

Edit: noticed they were factory seconds, I would check the over all length with calipers and see where the bullet is set. It could be these were seated too low to meet inspection guidelines or possible shoulder setback.

Edit 2: Curious as to if these rounds have primer crimps inside the brass. Could be they do not or they were run with not enough tension. If they do I would seriously think that they are over pressure due to powder charge, bullet setback, too much crimp on bullet, bad headspace dimensions causing excessive expansion of the casing in the chamber... who knows till we see the pics.

What would be the correct OAL? I will get pics of the spent brass when I get to a camera, I am currently locked out of my home and at a buddies house.

You couldn't pay me to shoot reloads by someone who sells "seconds". Consider yourself lucky and consider the seller dangerous.

Damn I guess lesson learned, seemed like a reputable dealer and not just a reloader. I thought this was more of a factory type deal than just reloading. I was just looking for the cheapest deal, I cant afford to shoot premium ammo like some of you.

Jak, Still wondering about your logic to shoot crappy, cheap. seconds ammo out of your AR.... You need to pay more attention to your reloading skills with .45ACP.. Sure would be sad to read a post about you blowing up your 1911.
Chief

See above. Obviously not gonna shoot that ammo anymore.

And yes, I am usually very careful when I reload. I reload on a single stage and my process virtually guarantees that I wont double charge a load. Somehow a squib round snuck in there. And I am also observant when I am shooting my reloads, and because of that I avoided a kaboom. We're humans and we make mistakes. Like youve never made a mistake before I came to ask for help and advice, not get lectured on my "skills," of which you know nothing about.

I will get pics of the cases up as soon as I can. Unfortunately I bought a lot of these rounds. What should I do with them? Should I just pull them all and reload them myself? That would get me started on my .223 reloading, but to pull that many rounds is quite a task.

[Chief-7700]

What would be the correct OAL? I will get pics of the spent brass when I get to a camera, I am currently locked out of my home and at a buddies house.



Damn I guess lesson learned, seemed like a reputable dealer and not just a reloader. I thought this was more of a factory type deal than just reloading. I was just looking for the cheapest deal, I cant afford to shoot premium ammo like some of you.




See above. Obviously not gonna shoot that ammo anymore.

And yes, I am usually very careful when I reload. I reload on a single stage and my process virtually guarantees that I wont double charge a load. Somehow a squib round snuck in there. And I am also observant when I am shooting my reloads, and because of that I avoided a kaboom. We're humans and we make mistakes. Like youve never made a mistake before I came to ask for help and advice, not get lectured on my "skills," of which you know nothing about.

I will get pics of the cases up as soon as I can. Unfortunately I bought a lot of these rounds. What should I do with them? Should I just pull them all and reload them myself? That would get me started on my .223 reloading, but to pull that many rounds is quite a task.

Yes, I have make reloading mistakes before that were due to a lack of focus, attempting to go to fast and distractions. I was not attempting to lecture you. If you took my post wrong I apologize.

[sonnyt650]

The 3250 fps is pretty ambitious for once-fired brass meant for somebody else's semi-auto: my Hornady manual indicates you could only get beyond 3200 with BLC2 near their max load. If it was my rifle and health involved working up a load is preferable to taking somebody's hot loads on faith, so painful as it is I'd break those down.

[Antihero47]

Jak,

To be honest the best bet for these rounds would be to either sell them on the marketplace and clearly state they are for breakdown only. Re manufactured seconds. Try to recoup a percentage of your purchase.

Or, go out and buy .223 dies with a collet type press mounted bullet puller die for .223 and use the bullets, brass, and primers and dump the powder since your a beginner.

Buy some powder and learn to load rifle. I've been able to reload 55g FMJ's with new purchased 1x fired brass and Varget for $170-$190 per 1k. Price comes down each time you fire and reload your brass.

For the price you payed for the re-manufactured seconds they still recouped all their costs for the components and made a small profit.

[cgseanp1]

I had the EXACT same problem with this ammo.. I called them up, they sent me a return tag and I returned the ammo I had left, and they sent me 1k brand new rounds of .223 (not seconds or even once fired brass). They have good customer service so I recommend you call them before you try to just sell as components. They also offered to just refund my money, but since I got ammo worth $80 more than I originally paid, I just took the ammo.

[jak77]

Chief: I did take your post wrong, I was frusturated and tired. I apologize for being snappy.

Cgseanp1: Wow that is awesome, I will deinitely give them a call today or tomorrow. Was your problems with their factory seconds as well?

[cgseanp1]

Chief: I did take your post wrong, I was frusturated and tired. I apologize for being snappy.

Cgseanp1: Wow that is awesome, I will deinitely give them a call today or tomorrow. Was your problems with their factory seconds as well?

Yes, it was seconds, but only seconds with once fired brass. I got 1k rounds seconds with new brass and had no issues. I called them up and they made a comment about how they had just heard from someone else who claimed to have some issues with this ammo, so they definitely were up front and not trying to hide anything. I'm thinking they must have had a bad batch or something. I got a return tag a few days later and yesterday I just got 1k rounds brand new brass (non seconds) delivered.

I gave them another chance because every ammo company can have issues every now and then and they stood behind the ammo, even though the seconds were "sold as is".

[Sky_DiveR]

cgseanp1, glad to hear the company made good on their ammo. After reading the OP's post, I thought of your thread describing the same problems (with the same company no less). Sounds like the OP knows what he needs to do. Good luck.