.30-30 ammo

[pikid89]

so im out hunting today with my buddies Marlin 336 and i shoot 2 hogs no problemo

so we get back to the truck and im ejecting the left over bullets and putting them back into the box of ammo

but then i notice one of the cartridges looks shorter than all the others. i look closer and it looked like the slug had been smashed down into the shell almost like a how a wadcutter would look, and the shell neck was cracked all the way down to the shoulder

fyi it was a blue box of .30-30 federal power shok or vital shok or something like that

any possible explanation?

sorry no pics, he took the ammo back to bass pro

 

[Starter52]

Sounds like weak brass, if the case neck cracked. This would cause the crimp to fail, and the spring in the tube would push the bullet back into the case.

I've never seen this happen with factory ammo.

 

[Hardtarget]

Like almost everything made. You'll find a "bad" piece somewhere in the pile.It just means we need to take a critical look at the ammo we're using.

I bought some AA batteries a few months ago. About half of the pack were dead. Now, I don't worry that my radio will blow up...but you see my point.

Over the years I've also found ammo with loose bullets. I shot the .22s. Only found a few centerfire that was loose...discarded those.

Mark

 

[Uncle Mike]

It happens...bullet set-back, from the recoil. As for the split case, well.... there is junk brass, and then..... there is junk brass...I believe you may have gotten the latter!

Not that Federal Blue Box is cheap junk...it is NOT! But these things happen!

 

[scythefwd]

Get a hold of federal and maybe they will make it right. I would inspect that ammo very closely before I shot anymore of it.

 

[shaggy430]

I've had that happen on some .308 Hornady brass before.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

FWIW of the 'big3' ammo makers for the 30-30 IMO Win is the best. and the best brass cases for handloading.

 

[SSN Vet]

bullet setback....

decreases case volume, increases pressure, potentially very dangerous

that's why you're supposed to crimp cartridges intended to be used in a tube mag fed rifle.

can't tell you why you had the problem with factory loads. you definately shouldn not have.

if you know someone who reloads, tehy could give them a few taps with an inertial bullet puller (without the bullet coming out) and then re-seat the bullet and crimp the rounds.

I'd call Winchester anyways, as they will likely make it right with you , AND... possibly issue a recall on that lot #, potentially saving someone else a serious injury