Blown out primers? Why?

[71Chevelle427]

I was told that this latest batch of ammo I bought, keeps "blowing out the primers", but as a person who does not reload, I have no idea what that is, or why it happens, or even if that info is accurate...

This is what has happened...

Bought 450 rounds of REMAN .223 FREEDOM MUNITIONS ammo, from fellow MDS'er. He had used one box and said that his AR "didn't like the ammo"...which I've read about on various sub forums, so figured it 100% possible.

Last trip to range, there was exactly TWO things different than ANY other range trip.

1. The REMAN ammo
and...
2. The "lubing" of the 2 AR's I took with me, done exactly how clandestine's video showed to do it. "Dipping" the BCG into a jar of synthetic Mobil 1 5w30 oil, letting it drip "dry", and also with some slight Mobil 1 synthetic grease dabs here and there as well...as instructed.

Fired off about 7 or 8 rounds, and then trigger just went "click"...
Forward assist wouldn't get the BCG into it's most forward, ready to fire position, nor would the charging handle allow the LIVE round to be extracted...In order to separate upper from lower receivers, I had to pull both pins, and pull upper assembly slightly forward...Inside was a oily mess to say the least.

Thought maybe I just overdid the lube, even though I did it while watching/pausing the video.

Had to remove the chambered round with a small knife blade. Also noticed a small piece of what looked like metal, so thought it was just a fluke..

Reassembled rifle and 2nd round....repeat, same exact issue...

Gave it one more try, after clearing round...

Same thing...

Thinking maybe an issue with that AR, grabbed the other one...fired off about a half dozen rounds, and here we go again...starting to get pissed, and oil everywhere, all over me...lol...

Put a 20 round mag full of NEW Federal ammo in the 2nd AR...BOOM X 20, no problem...

Tried 20 more Federal in the other (1st AR)...no problem...

Call it a night...

Go home and clean all the mess off of me, and the rifles, and start over...cleaning and lubing like I have done for the last year, to take that new lube technique out of the equation 100%...

Go back yesterday...light on the lube, same REMAN ammo...fire off about 20 rounds, change mags, fire off about 5, and click...no extraction, no into battery...

Disassemble, Clear and reassemble...shoot another 20 or 30 rounds, and CLICK...now I am pissed.

The other night when issue first started, the guy who helped me clear the worst jam, (an employee), said it was blowing out the primers, which I have pics of below...

What causes this issue???

Should I just dispose of the other 250 rounds, or what?

 

[kalister1]

I would not shoot them. Oh, to answer your question IMHO: they are hotter than HELL.
Maybe get them to somebody who reloads, they can pull the bullets and trash the powder. Use their powder and reload. Maybe reuse the bullets too.

 

[iH8DemLibz]

Really loose primers in way oversized primer pockets.

I'd bet you could push a fresh primer in those pockets using thumb pressure only.

You now have a new supply of reloading components.

Sans brass.

 

[44man]

what did the brass look like? any split necks or swelling?

 

[Bootknife]

Why not call Freedom ? Give them the Info and a Chance to MAKE IT RIGHT, also might keep someone else for getting hurt!

 

[PapiBarcelona]

If they are blowing out because it's a super hot load or falling out because they were loose in the pocket to begin with, it's definitely worth a call to whoever reloaded it.

I would have definitely stopped the first time when you have more than 1 issue going on. Primers laying in the receiver, failure to fire, jams, etc

 

[71Chevelle427]

what did the brass look like? any split necks or swelling?

I really have no bar to compare these to...I've never bought or shot reman .223 before this batch. Some are dinged up, and beat up looking, but no swelling or splitting that I can see.

Why not call Freedom ? Give them the Info and a Chance to MAKE IT RIGHT, also might keep someone else for getting hurt!

I'm sure that's a waste, since I am not original purchaser. I had an issue with NEW 9mm a year or so ago, and their solution was rather lame and unacceptable IMO...they may have changed, but I guess if this stuff is unsafe, it's not worth the risk...

If someone wants these 250 rounds for a fractional amount of GOOD, ready to safely shoot ammo, please send me a PM...

 

[Uncle Duke]

Call Freedom OP. Also send them your photo. One look at those primer cup sidewalls will have their undivided attention.

The piece of metal you noticed was likely a missing anvil from one of your primers.

You don't have a lube problem. Or a rifle problem given your 2 rifles mentioned. You have an ammo problem.

 

[SKIP]

About 30 years ago I purchased what I was told was once fired brass. Many primers fell down into the trigger housing. I bet that is why they are mangled.
Later I reloaded more ammo and when I blew down the cartridge the primer flew out. You primer have been enlarged from previous reloads..
Your FTF were due to primers interfering with the release of the trigger mechanism.

 

[dist1646]

Looks like loose primer pockets. I would not shoot any more of that ammo. Check your bolt face and firing pin for any gas cutting damage that may have been done. It will look like cratering.

 

[Sticky]

Primers should remain in the case, regardless.. when the don't, in an AR, it's an issue. I would not shoot any ammo where the primers weren't still in the primer pocket of the case after shooting it, period!

Could well be, as mentioned, loose primer pockets, but regardless, I'd bitch about it to whomever I bought it from.

 

[clandestine]

Since just this ammo is doing it, I would say stop using the ammo unless you have ALOT of it.

If you dont like the lubrication method I take no offense. You have to do what works for you. As you can see from your experience with my method and your old method, the heavy lubrication method did not cause the problems.

Overgassing can cause primers to pop, AND a tight throad/leade can cause that too.

You can have the throat opened. The cost is minimal from ADCO, but it can cause you to lose some accuracy.

If the Gun is overgassed adjustable gas will help.

These mods will make the gun more versatile loads on the extreme ends (hot/weak), but only you can decide is the juice is worth the squeeze.

Can you post pics of the actual brass? Is the rim tore up from the extractor? Ejector imprint in the brass?

 

[71Chevelle427]

Chad, i just wanted to share the complete story, not just half of it. Two changes prior to the range trip. One was ammo, one was lube. The lube obviously isn't/wasn't the issue, and since I already stole a jar from the wife, I'll use that method again, lol.

I am 100% confident that the person I bought this from had no idea of what was happening here. I am also 99% confident that Freedom Munitions isn't going to do anything about it since I am not the original buyer...for $50 worth of ammo it probably isn't going to be worth the aggravation of dealing with them anyway. Maybe I'll email them and see, but I have the feeling the remainder of the ammo will be a karma for a reloader to salvage. Oh well...this is exactly why I never buy anything but new ammo....

Unfortunately I did not save any of the brass. My son had not been with me in a while, so we shot up about 500 rounds of various calibers. When the AR acted up, I just set it off to the side and continued having fun with the next gun.

The bolt face looks to be fine, and I really don't want to modify anything just so it can shoot this ammo, or ammo like it. I'll just return to shooting everything that has been 100% reliable.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Mike3888]

2. The "lubing" of the 2 AR's I took with me, done exactly how clandestine's video showed to do it. "Dipping" the BCG into a jar of synthetic Mobil 1 5w30 oil, letting it drip "dry", and also with some slight Mobil 1 synthetic grease dabs here and there as well...as instructed.

I'd be courious if it would be pressure related, with dipping the BCG.

 

[71Chevelle427]

Since it did it with just light oiling also, I'm going to say it made no difference how it was oiled.

 

[Sticky]

I'd be courious if it would be pressure related, with dipping the BCG.

Not sure how that would affect pressure. I use the same method and have no issues with my AR's (but I have never run Freedom Munitions ammo either)

 

[shaddydan]

2. The "lubing" of the 2 AR's I took with me, done exactly how clandestine's video showed to do it. "Dipping" the BCG into a jar of synthetic Mobil 1 5w30 oil, letting it drip "dry", and also with some slight Mobil 1 synthetic grease dabs here and there as well...as instructed.

I'd be courious if it would be pressure related, with dipping the BCG.

Impossible to over lube a firearm. It has been proven mutiple times.

 

[Mini14tac]

I have some Freedom Munitions factory reloads in 300 BLK and on occasion I find spent rounds with the primers blown out of the brass. And yes one fell into the trigger assembly. Don't think I will be purchasing any more ammo from them regardless on how cheap it is.

 

[kalister1]

If you still have the brass can you measure the primer pocket?

 

[71Chevelle427]

If you still have the brass can you measure the primer pocket?

I did not save any of the brass, but intend to try again, until there's another failure, and will save and measure for you guys.