Is this safe to shoot? SA 7.62x51mm

Kyrottimus · June 01, 2006, 13:21

South African, 7.62x51mm Ball, R1M1

Lot: 006 B02/81

I was loading up one of my FAL magazines today and came across this cartridge. I've seen casings, especially steel, split like this, but only after being fired.

Is this split in the neck of the casing going to effect accuracy, function of the rifle or safety for the shooter (me)?

I figure it'd probably be safe, but I'd better not shoot it just to be sure.

Thanks,

--Kyro

Stranger · June 01, 2006, 13:44

Are you sure its a split? Looks more like a crimp to me.

M829A3 · June 01, 2006, 14:58

All of my Argentine and some SA have this. It's a crimp.

Kyrottimus · June 01, 2006, 15:34

Quote:

Originally posted by M829A3
All of my Argentine and some SA have this. It's a crimp.

Not a crimp. A split. Up close there is definate "tearing" of the brass from a previous solid form. I took the liberty of taking some more In-focus pictures.

Back to the question at hand...

Is this safe to shoot?

--Kyro

Tuscan Raider · June 01, 2006, 16:06

If you think it might not be safe, just toss it Kyrottimus. I had a couple of Indian rounds with the same mark, but it was Indian, so I did'nt hesitate to get rid of it. Besides, your SA only cost .17-.20 cents a round, better to throw away than take a risk. BTW, is this the only round you found with this mark? If it is a consistent thing, than I would think crimp also.

Kyrottimus · June 01, 2006, 16:14

Out of an entire battle-pack (140 rounds) that I inspected, this is the only one with this mark.

It looks more like a natural split in the brass than a machined crimp, which I have seen before in other types of ammo myself.

MACV · June 01, 2006, 16:25

Quote:

Originally posted by Kyrottimus

Not a crimp. A split. Up close there is definate "tearing" of the brass from a previous solid form. I took the liberty of taking some more In-focus pictures.

Back to the question at hand...

Is this safe to shoot?

--Kyro

I'd be more worried about the way its growing in size!

Kyrottimus · June 01, 2006, 16:46

Quote:

Originally posted by MACV

I'd be more worried about the way its growing in size!

Yeah, I exposed it to the X-gene and it's mutating beyond control!

Stranger · June 06, 2006, 08:02

Quote:

Originally posted by MACV

I'd be more worried about the way its growing in size!

LOL.

I have shot lots and lots of the SA and have never seen anything like that. However, I usually don't take the time to look at each neck when its going from the box to the magazine. Maybe I should take the time.

I would think it was safe to shoot, but wouldn't take the chance in one of my rifles.

Shoot it in a BA of chalk it up to a $0.17 loss.

**W.E.G.** · June 06, 2006, 09:40

I've shot ammo that looked like that.

Its just a neck split.
So what if the neck splits on firing?

Not match ammo for sure. But, I've never suffered any mishap from it. Its just a crappy round.

If you have misgivings about it, just get rid of it.

DJ · June 06, 2006, 15:59

If you have misgivings about it, just get rid of it. [/B][/QUOTE]

Or tear it down and salvage the bullet and powder.

**K. Funk** · June 06, 2006, 16:36

Man, Indian is starting to look good by comparison

!!

krf

June 01, 2006, 13:21	#1
Kyrottimus Registered FALaholic #: 18036 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Montana Posts: 3,042	Is this safe to shoot? SA 7.62x51mm South African, 7.62x51mm Ball, R1M1 Lot: 006 B02/81 I was loading up one of my FAL magazines today and came across this cartridge. I've seen casings, especially steel, split like this, but only after being fired. Is this split in the neck of the casing going to effect accuracy, function of the rifle or safety for the shooter (me)? I figure it'd probably be safe, but I'd better not shoot it just to be sure. Thanks, --Kyro __________________ Anomaly in Progress Esto Perpetua; Semper Armatus, Semper Liberi

June 01, 2006, 14:58	#3
M829A3 Registered FALaholic #: 10377 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: PA Posts: 805	All of my Argentine and some SA have this. It's a crimp. __________________ Safety and economic recovery?? News Flash.... The results are in....You will not recover and you sure AS HELL, aren't safe. Welcome to Amerika Comrade, join the party.

June 01, 2006, 16:06	#5
Tuscan Raider Registered FALaholic #: 19668 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 2,962	If you think it might not be safe, just toss it Kyrottimus. I had a couple of Indian rounds with the same mark, but it was Indian, so I did'nt hesitate to get rid of it. Besides, your SA only cost .17-.20 cents a round, better to throw away than take a risk. BTW, is this the only round you found with this mark? If it is a consistent thing, than I would think crimp also. __________________ "An eye for an eye makes us all blind." Ghandi "We, here in America, hold in our hands the hopes of the world, the fate of the coming years; and shame and disgrace will be ours if in our eyes the light of high resolve is dimmed, if we trail in the dust the golden hopes of men." Theodore Roosevelt Address at Carnegie Hall March 30, 1912

June 01, 2006, 16:14	#6
Kyrottimus Registered FALaholic #: 18036 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Montana Posts: 3,042	Out of an entire battle-pack (140 rounds) that I inspected, this is the only one with this mark. It looks more like a natural split in the brass than a machined crimp, which I have seen before in other types of ammo myself. __________________ Anomaly in Progress Esto Perpetua; Semper Armatus, Semper Liberi

June 06, 2006, 09:40	#10
W.E.G. Administrator Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 1211 Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Virginia Posts: 31,108	I've shot ammo that looked like that. Its just a neck split. So what if the neck splits on firing? Not match ammo for sure. But, I've never suffered any mishap from it. Its just a crappy round. If you have misgivings about it, just get rid of it. __________________ . . . Ask me about the Mason-Dixon FAL Collectors Association.

June 01, 2006, 13:44	#2
Stranger Registered FALaholic #: 3555 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 9,499	Are you sure its a split? Looks more like a crimp to me.

June 06, 2006, 15:59	#11
DJ Registered FALaholic #: 126 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Brookville Pa Posts: 2,132	If you have misgivings about it, just get rid of it. [/B][/QUOTE] Or tear it down and salvage the bullet and powder. __________________ *Proud Air Force dad* I'm a "barbarian" and I VOTE! "He might have gone on livin' but he made one fatal slip, he tried to match the Ranger with the Big Iron on his hip." Marty Robbins, "Big Iron"

June 06, 2006, 16:36	#12
K. Funk Real Life Metallurgist Gold Contributor FALaholic #: 38 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Myerstown, PA Posts: 3,955	Man, Indian is starting to look good by comparison !! krf __________________ The Mason-Dixon FAL Association wants YOU!! Ask me for details. You never know what's going on inside the mind of a crazy man!! Check out username kandainv on Gunbroker; always some neat stuff!! FYB!!!!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode