Miwall 6.5x55 Swede reload problem.

[Javi]

Dusted off my Swedish M/96 today and finally opened up a box of reloads from Miwall that I bought for it in November or so.The first 5 went off just fine but my next 5 I had problems. On my 4th shot of that 2nd 5-round grouping, a lot of smoke came out of the rifle. I tried opening up the bolt but it was seizing up. I got it open after another second and took the brass out. The primer was missing!

I couldn't find where it went, I assume it fell down into the magazine housing? I took the bolt out to inspect it and it didn't look damaged and there was nothing lodged into the barrel(I was certain the bullet hit the backstop but was also double checking if there was any barrel damage. I was reluctant to finish the last one but I did and it was fine. I go for another 5 and I think it was the 2nd or 3rd shot and it did it again! Not as much smoke but the bolt was hard to open and yet again, no primer. That was it for the day.

So, does that mean the rounds had too much powder in it? I'm going to go look again but I'm wondering if it's safe to reload this brass when I finally get into it. I don't recall any cracks.

[bcrich]

Sounds like they were some really hot loads with hard bolt lift and blown primers, dont chance it by continuing to shoot more, pull the components and reload them. Pretty sure miwall would replace them if you choose to report the bad ammo.

[Javi]

I think I will not finish that box of 20. I still have 3 others that have not been opened before, should I try those? I did find one of the primers inside of the internal magazine. No clue where the 2nd one went, must have fallen out when I wasn't looking. I'll take pictures of the cartridges and the primer soon.


OH! and I've never really checked other spent cartridges before but say if the primers are seated a bit below flush, when fired is it normal for them to be flush?

[Javi]

Shoot...I just checked my dump pouch. Turns out my first five shots had a primer shoot out too! Don't know where that primer is but it's missing from my cartridge.

[17+1]

I bought some 223 55gr. Hornady reloads from these guys before I started reloading...they shot well, when they would chamber. NATO chambered AR would only fire as a single shot with them, dropping them in the ejection port and sending the bolt home. Trying to run them out of the magazine resulted in the bolt not going fully into battery and a failure to fire.

My reloads and all other factory ammo I have tried run fine in this particular gun whether I'm single loading or feeding it from the magazine.

Moral of the story for me is don't shoot other peoples reloads.

[Javi]

It's tempting at $14 a box as opposed to up to $35! I don't reload just yet. I can start as soon as this Summer. I'm going to go show the owner of a local shop these & see what he has to say.

[Javi]

"For use only in standard arms in good condition and chambered by the manufacturer for this cartridge. We warrant the exercise of reasonable care in the manufacture of these cartridges, but make no other warranty express or implied. Use at your own risk." I forgot that that was on the side of the box. Does that equal "s.o.l."? But I guess this doesn't fall under 'reasonable care' either. I had also forgotten that the brass was new, not 'once loaded' or anything. Going to ask a local shop tomorrow.

[FLIGHT762]

You should contact Miwall. It sounds like the loads are loaded too hot. Save the cases that had the blown primers so you can sent photos or send them to Miwall. They may have had a bad batch and they will likely replace the ammo for you.

[bcrich]

It's tempting at $14 a box as opposed to up to $35! I don't reload just yet. I can start as soon as this Summer

You aren't too far from me, hit me up if you need a crash course in reloading when you are ready.

[Javi]

Thanks! I showed Jerry at "Annie's get your gun" and he pointed out that all the rounds I fired showed signs of overpressure as the primers started below flush to flush/a bit above flush. I'll have to take some pictures of those to send to Miwall. Hope they ship as I don't feel like paying to go to Crossroads anytime soon.

[r3dn3ck]

pretty sure they'll treat you right. I've always counted miwall's as being a little stoutly stuffed. I used to LOVE their .44magnum 300gr load, that was only safe in rugers.

[Javi]

I went through 500 rounds of their 125 gr. 9mm reloads and only had one failure. I finally sent them an email right now so we'll see what they say n' do. Here's some pictures I finally took out of my phone:

[Javi]

"We are very sorry about this and please do not use any more of the ammo. Please bring it back to any of the shows we attend and we will either do an exchange or refund. We would like to get this ammo back so we can test it."

Can anyone lend me $20?

[tujungatoes]

A friend of mine recently had some issues with some 6.5x55 from miwall. I'll have to ask him what the problem was and what became of the rest of his ammo.

[Javi]

A friend of mine recently had some issues with some 6.5x55 from miwall. I'll have to ask him what the problem was and what became of the rest of his ammo.

Let me know, I'm curious. If there's lots of problems, I'll just ask for a refund. I'll probably go in May, I think it is. Should be the next Ontario show. Bummed now I can shoot my Swede as I have no ammo.