Dented ammo question

[Ron3]

I've never worried about a light or mild dent in a brass case.

Recently someone told me more than a very slight dent in the neck of the brass (5.56) was dangerous.

I disagreed stating the brass will fire-form to the chamber and there is nothing dangerous about it.

What say you?

[glocktogo]

I've never worried about a light or mild dent in a brass case.

Recently someone told me more than a very slight dent in the neck of the brass (5.56) was dangerous.

I disagreed stating the brass will fire-form to the chamber and there is nothing dangerous about it.

What say you?

I agree with you on the fireforming.

[HKGuns]

I say shoot it.

[SomeOtherGuy]

Not an issue if the ammo isn't overpressure to start with, and the gun is adequately strong (any decent AR, Mini-14, most bolt-actions, etc.).

I don't fire anything with bullet setback though, which usually comes from a double feed as a result of mag not locked all the way in, or sometimes a poor quality mag.

[glocktogo]

Not an issue if the ammo isn't overpressure to start with, and the gun is adequately strong (any decent AR, Mini-14, most bolt-actions, etc.).

I don't fire anything with bullet setback though, which usually comes from a double feed as a result of mag not locked all the way in, or sometimes a poor quality mag.

Crucial point here.

[Ron3]

Crucial point here.

Bullet setback:

I pushed my luck with this on some 10mm Blazer in a Glock 20. Nothing happened but I wouldn't do it again.

Thanks for the advice. Gun in question was indeed a Mini 14. (584)

[ViniVidivici]

As long as it "plunks" in and out of the chamber easily, shoot it.

[markm]

I've fire formed some way Effed up cartridges in 5.56. One so bad that it split the side of the brass when it formed out. No problems at all.

Bullet set back doesn't worry me too much depending on the cartridge and severity. I did a chrono test on 2 different 77 gr bullets where one, due to shape (TMK vs OTM), seated much deeper into the case. Same powder charge for both, and the velocities were the same. In other words, no apparent increase in pressure in that example.

[Artos]

Not sure how a dent in the neck would be more extreme vs the various wildcat rounds that need fire forming...it is nice that nosler now provides 280AI brass ready to go these days.

[jsbhike]

I've fire formed some way Effed up cartridges in 5.56. One so bad that it split the side of the brass when it formed out. No problems at all.

Bullet set back doesn't worry me too much depending on the cartridge and severity. I did a chrono test on 2 different 77 gr bullets where one, due to shape (TMK vs OTM), seated much deeper into the case. Same powder charge for both, and the velocities were the same. In other words, no apparent increase in pressure in that example.

I think it is more of an issue with handguns than bottle neck rifle cartridges. It is sort of creating additional free bore.