Ammo question

Status
Not open for further replies.
mrbladedude

mrbladedude

Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2011
Messages
213
Location
Oregon
Good evening. As you can see some of these are different sizes especially the one in the middle to the left. And idea as to why? And is this safe? I've had this ammo loaded in a magazine for 7 years. I've taken them out over and over again but for the most part they just sit in the magazine.
20170118_120635.jpg
 
if the shorter ones have been chambered several times they can get set back like that and I agree I would not shoot the shorter ones, I cycle out my loaded defense ammo every 6 months with fresh ammo this way I know my gun and ammo is good to go if needed.
 
Do not shoot the short ones. It's called bullet setback, and the increased pressure from the bullet being pushed in can significantly damage your gun. If possible, I'd avoid taking them out and rechambering them in the future.
 
I agree. No go on the short rounds. Because I have small grandkids in the house I always unload the chambered round and put it back in the mag at night. Every few days I will rotate the top round further down the mag so I don't get setback from continually rechambering the same round.
 
Assuming these are all the same bullet-- I agree, don't shoot the setback rounds. Use a bullet puller, resize the necks, reseat, shoot. Repeat as necessary.
 
medalguy said:
Assuming these are all the same bullet-- I agree, don't shoot the setback rounds. Use a bullet puller, resize the necks, reseat, shoot. Repeat as necessary.
Click to expand...

I doubt the OP reloads. Simply tossing them is probably the best answer.
 
Cooldill said:
The shorter loads may experience excessive headspaces, increasing the pressures to unsafe levels.
Click to expand...

It has nothing to do with headspace. Auto pistols headspace on the rim of the cartridge. You'll note the cases are all the same length. What causes the excess pressure is the bullet being set back, or deeper, into the case. This decreases the space in the case and can cause drastic increases in pressure.
 
It has nothing to do with headspace. Auto pistols headspace on the rim of the cartridge.
Click to expand...
It is true that it has nothing to do with headspace. The issue is reduced space behind the bullet, as you say, which results in higher pressure.

However most autopistol cartridges headspace on the case mouth, not the rim.
 
Good on you for noticing. Bullet setback can be dangerous. When I unload, I always compare the cartridge I just removed to the one at the top of the magazine. I pitch it if it looks short.
 
I don't understand. I unload and reload the same bullet all the time and when comparing side by side, they're still the same length.

Could it be the difference in brands?

I use Federal Hydro-shoks, either 9mm 147gr. or 45 ACP 230gr.
 
Brands do not have anything to do with it,specs are specs no matter who the mfg is. I agree that you have some bullet setback do not shoot them. That being said ,why risk it for 3 or 4 shells.
 
The above answers regarding Setback are correct. It's usually the result of repeatedly chambering and reseating the same round, and can result in a unsafe round. It will vary, depending on the individual weapon, and the particular cartridge's crimp.

Since I carry in Condition One, but store every night in Condition Three, I keep an eye on Setback in my EDC rounds. I just place them upright in a row on a flat surface, and use the spine of the magazine as a straight edge along the top. Any round that doesn't make contact at the top goes to the bottom of the mag when reloading. Any one as severe as the example in the OP would get tossed- since I make it a point to get to the range at least once a month, at least to run through and replace my EDC rounds, I never see it as bad as that.
 
Bo said:
I don't understand. I unload and reload the same bullet all the time and when comparing side by side, they're still the same length.

Could it be the difference in brands?
Click to expand...

I think so some brands have a cannelure and crimp to help hold the bullet in place and some brands even add a second crimp ring lower down on the case to help with this but really they are not made to be chambered multiple times. This is why some rifle ammo is crimped to avoid set back during recoil, 7 years is a long time to have the same ammo in your gun I would toss them go buy a few boxes of new ammo function test a clean the gun call it a day. images (1).jpg images.jpg download.jpg
 
Cannibul said:
It has nothing to do with headspace. Auto pistols headspace on the rim of the cartridge. You'll note the cases are all the same length. What causes the excess pressure is the bullet being set back, or deeper, into the case. This decreases the space in the case and can cause drastic increases in pressure.
Click to expand...


Or the case mouth...... :eek:
 
Cannibul said:
I was thinking case mouth and wrote rim. Total brain fart on my part.

Though in many cases with reloaded pistol brass and how they get shorter they are actually headspacing on the extractor.
Click to expand...


Well, the original 38 auto / 38 super did headspace on their tiny rims - one probable reason for their mediocre accuracy.
 
Merle1 said:
Well, the original 38 auto / 38 super did headspace on their tiny rims - one probable reason for their mediocre accuracy.
Click to expand...
Yup. And the reason that modern .38 super barrels are set up to headspace on the case mouth.
Bo said:
I don't understand. I unload and reload the same bullet all the time and when comparing side by side, they're still the same length.
Click to expand...
Generally good quality self-defense ammo should tolerate being chambered a few times. I seem to recall reading that one ammo company said that their self-defense ammo would not setback if it was chambered four times or less. I would contact the specific ammo manufacturer in question if I were in the habit of repeatedly chambering rounds.

Practice ammo is a different story. I've run across some practice ammo that would setback noticeably after just a single chambering.
 
Bo said:
I don't understand. I unload and reload the same bullet all the time and when comparing side by side, they're still the same length.

Could it be the difference in brands?

I use Federal Hydro-shoks, either 9mm 147gr. or 45 ACP 230gr.
Click to expand...
I've never had it happen with 230gn HST. Must be crimped better or something.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I pulled the bullets just to keep and tossed the casings. The ammo in question is 9mm Speer Gold Dot 124 grain + P JHP
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top