Bullet in case backward! Pics of factory manufacturing error...

[Pete45]

Take a look at what my Dad found in his box of factory loaded UMC at the range today! (.45 FMJ 230 grain) Good thing he didn't fire it! The bullet appears to be inserted backward... flat side out, nose in the case.

- Pete45

 

[firearms_instructor]

Just curious, cuz I don't know,

Would this really be unsafe to fire, assuming it chambered? What's the difference between firing this and any other full wadcutter? Inquiring minds want to know.

<edited to read 'fire' instead of 'file', I'm all about safe filing >

 

[Stickjockey]

Sshhhh!

That's UMC's new .45 ACP "Blitzpiston" round. Supposed to end the .45/9mm debate once and for all.

Seriously though, good thing he found it.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Just goes to show: Always check your ammo.

I don't have pictures, but I got a 357 federal american eagle 158 JSP with the primer in upside down once.

 

[yorick]

not at all unsafe to fire - many handloaders load with bullets backwards for assorted reasons. I think one of my reloading manuals actually recomends it for greater knock down power on some rifle rounds.

- though that particular bullet probably wouldn't perform very well if shot backwards.

 

[Chipperman]

Send it to the factory. Maybe you'll get a free box.

 

[Highland Ranger]

Re Unsafe to fire - why would you want to find out?

 

[spacemanspiff]

i've never been too happy with any of the UMC ammo.

 

[fastbolt]

Yep, it always pays to inspect your ammunition as you're loading it ...

A recently discovered factory 9mm JHP ...

 

[warrior23]

I had Fed american eagle 9mm,1 box 1rd had no primer.another box the primer was upside down in 1 rd.I always chech my rounds before.

 

[fastbolt]

same round, slightly different view ...

 

[firearms_instructor]

Re Unsafe to fire - why would you want to find out?

I would probably notice it, but what if a newb didn't? How much actual risk are we talking about? What if someone wasn't paying attention and fired the round in question?

I have a 9mm reload that has a crack down the side and a slightly bulged base. I'm suspect my Uzi carbine would digest it without much problem (worst case scenario: excess gas pressure vented into mag well, blowing mag out of carbine?), but I wouldn't like to see someone fire it in a pistol. I use it as a visual aid for my students as a warning why not to buy cheap gunshow reloads.

I might take a digital pic and post it here sometime.

 

[rick newland]

Only ammo problem I have had was with the Czech company S&B. Several rounds did not have a flash hole. Had to dig metal out of the firing pin channel.

 

[444]

I know this will probably ruffle a few feathers, but in a recent thread Wolf ammo was burned at the stake because one of our members said he found a few rounds similar to those described here. Now we have UMC, Federal, and S&B with a similar problem. Is it all junk ?

 

[chas_martel]

I don't think this is "that" uncommon from any supplier....................

 

[jhisaac1]

Unsafe?

The seating depth could be way off on the .45. This could cause pressure levels that are too high (boom) or too low (squib). Neither one a good situation.

 

[keeperofthehills]

thats why I roll my own

 

[Valkman]

Here's what I replied on 1911 Forums:

A while back I chrono'd a bunch of my reloads, plus some Win. White Box, some Ranger, Ranger +P and UMC. My reloads just about duplicated Win. White Box numbers for velocity and SD, which were very good. The UMC stuff was by far the worst of the bunch with velocitys all over the map and a huge SD. Sounds like the QC needs some work!

 

[Stebalo]

Henry Bowman would use those backwards seated bullets to hunt cape buffalo don'tcha know?

 

[BluesBear]

There's no danger in firing that round.
Besides the fact that the seating depth isn't excessive, standard factory .45 acp loads aren't exactly high pressure.

I have experimented with set-back testing in .45acp. I have deep seated 230gr factory ammo as much as 3/16 over factory specs with no ill affects.

A bullet seated upside down isn't uncommon in totally automated loading operations. I'd guess it'll hapen about .001%. Usually inspectors will catch it before it gets boxed.

 

[Henry Bowman]

Don't you know . . .

It's for that new H&K shown on the cover of their new catalog where the cartridges are loaded in the mag backward!

 

[Bravo11]

I'm with chipperman. Send it back and they might send you a free box of ammo or a coupon for Remington gear. It's better than chunking it in the trash.

 

[jwmoore]

It will work just fine... The bullet's designed to tumble.

DISCLAIMER: I'm just joking, don't fire that round...

~W

 

[sctman800]

WWB .25auto

I recently found a backward loaded bullet in a WWW .25auto, I then e-mailed Winchester about it. They sent me a pre-paid UPS label to send it back to them. I sent the backwards loaded bullet and one good round to them and they sent me two coupons for $10. to replace the bad round. I seldom buy any ammo except .25auto, I load my own in .41mag and .45APC. Good trade! Jim.

 

[Red_SC]

It's not a mistake, it's for hunting elephants.