Chambered round multiple times?

[j_charles]

How many times can one chamber the same round before it starts to become a potential issue with forcing the bullet into the case and causing possible pressure issues when fired. I am referring specifically to my carry ammo, as it generally stays in the gun and unfired. I occasionally unload it for cleaning, holster practice, etc. and then reload the same ammo when I'm done. I would hate to have a KB when I'm trying to defend myself/wife.

Thanks

 

[AlexM105]

The round involved in the catastrophic failure of this particular Glock is said to have been loaded 45 times in 30 days.

GLOCKS: They always go boom when you pull the trigger. Sometimes that's not a good thing.

 

[Zeekrider]

A given round can suffer from setback after just a single chambering... or just a few. The prudent shooter will be right on top of the status of their ammo... checking round length, noting previous chamberings, etc. It's also smart to test pre-chamber by hand (in the carry gun) every round you will load into your carry/defense gun to ensure that it is within spec for reliable feeding.

 

[Hunter0924]

Looks like bad specs and poor case head support.
I have chambered the same round many times in several of my Government Models and the COL has not changed.
I do agree that rotating carry ammunition is a great idea.

 

[AlexM105]

Are there specific brands more tolerant to bullet setback?

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Look for bullets being pushed back into the case (from repeated impacts on a feed ramp) and nicks or gouges on the rim (from the extractor). Discard any damaged rounds.

 

[Disaster]

Two things come into play.

First the round design and how well the bullet is fitted into the case.

Second, the feed ramp design and how much impact it applies to the front of the bullet during loading.

It can happen with one loading and can cause a Kaboom. If I ever see it happening with a particular brand of ammo or gun I become very suspicious of both.

Always inspect your ammo, each time you load your gun.

 

[ClarkEMyers]

Once

Once - and rough handling before that once can be an issue itself.

 

[4thPointOfContact]

When I've needed to unchamber a round, I usually unload 3-4 rounds from the magazine as well. I think it improves the chances that the same round won't be repeatedly chambered, but will have a 1-in-3 or 1-in-4 chance instead.

I also make a point to practice with my carry loads at least every other month or so, instead of using the normal generic loads.

 

[novaDAK]

This is actually one of the reasons I chose to carry a revolver. Right now in my life I'm constantly in situations where I have to load and unload the one gun I keep unlocked out of the safe for protection. I was concerned with bullet setback so I switched from a semi-auto to revolver for the time being.

 

[j_charles]

Thanks

If it helps... I have a KT PF-9 loaded with Remington UMC 115 gr. JHP. It's brass cased.

I wish it were easier to rotate my ammo (by shooting it) but the range here is a "clean" range and only lets you shoot their stuff... i.e. clean primers, fully encased bullet w/ no exposed lead, etc. I need to find a place that lets me shoot my stuff.

I'll definitely be on the look out for setback. Thanks all

 

[TnShooter83]

I tested mine myself.
I chamber a round, ejected it. --- Kel-Tec P-11 ---
Then measured it with a micrometer.
Next a took a NEW round out of the box and measured it.
There was no difference in the OAL or "size"
There for I feel it should be safe to fire.
This is obviously in no way a scientific test, and I have no way to measure pressures. But it did make me feel good about using the same round again. I clean and inspect my "use" firearms every 2 weeks. And I don't want to spend more money on rounds that I never got to fire. $25.00 for 20 rounds is a little expensive to waste

Again this was in a Kel-Tec P-11.

Many factors will determine the actual out come of each firearm.
Spring pressure, Slide weight, Weight of total round, ect.
There for I will NOT tell any to reuse a round, it is up to them to decide for them self.

 

[j_charles]

I went through the rounds in the mag a little while ago and sort of visually inspected them. I tossed a couple that looked to be somewhat set back, and a couple others that were dinged up around the case rim. The others checked out fine, so I reloaded them, mixed in with some fresh rounds. From now on I'll be more careful about how often I load and reload the same rounds, and if I do I'll just mix them up good so I run less of a risk of loading the same one over and over. Thanks all for your input.

 

[Chuck Dye]

Testing just that possibility, I found my P226 deforming the mouths of some cheap 115gr reloads without setting the bullet back. Tests of the 124gr and 147 gr Hydra-Shok show no deformation or set back. I haven't measured any setback with the .45 230gr Hydra-Shok. I don't worry much about it.

 

[Blofeld]

Thanks for this thread. I clean often and hadn't considered this problem. Now I'm paranoid.

 

[JohnKSa]

It depends on the ammunition. Most premium self-defense ammunition is good for 3 or 4 chamberings but you should check for yourself or contact the ammunition manufacturer.

Blazer aluminum is very bad about setback, I think that the aluminum doesn't grip the bullet as tightly as brass.

Do NOT assume that because a round chambered once or twice without noticeable setback that you can chamber that round repeatedly with the same result!!

Usually what happens is that the round can be chambered a few times without any significant setback before the chambering action finally "breaks" the bullet loose and starts setting it back.

 

[TnShooter83]

Do NOT assume that because a round chambered once or twice without noticeable setback that you can chamber that round repeatedly with the same result!!

Good to point out. I should have mentioned that in my post.
Normally in a 10 rnd Mag. I cycle that round to the end of the mag. And by the time I reach 10 I would have fired them.

Again thank's for pointing that out.