Case Rupture Federal American Eagle

[cwl1862]

Went to the range today to punch some holes in some targets. To accoumplish this I purchased a box of Federal American Eagle 124gr FMJ. After the fireing was over I collected my brass and discovered that five of them had suffered a case failure to one extreem or another. Four of the five failed and the last just split. Has anyone else had this issue with the American Brand? Did you contact Federal and what did they tell you? Two other types of ammo were also fired at this time without any failures from the other brand names rounds. Only happened with the Fed AE
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[goldenlight]

Did you keep the empty box? It will have the lot number stamped on it; usually it's on the end flap.

I've seen this happen, very rarely, with some many, many times reloaded 9mm brass.

As no damage resulted, and I didn't find out until I sorted the brass, I just threw it away.

But, this absolutely should NOT happen with the first firing of what should be excellent quality, American made brass!

My guess would be that the brass walls are way too thin, or, way too brittle, or possibly both.

I would contact Federal Cartridge Corp., and tell them about this problem.

As always, even with the best quality control, mistakes can happen.

If there is a LOT of this ammunition in the supply line, this may be one of the first of many faulures.

In any event, I'm sure Federal would want to know about it, as they could have tremendous liability.

As an aside, I assume that the pistol you used is in good condition, with no irregularities in the chamber. I would have a good look at the chamber, just in case that's were the problem is, although it seems very unlikely.

I'm glad you didn't find out about this case failures until you were picking up brass! I've seen photos of people who have suffered various injuries, from mild to severe, from case failures.

 

[zercool]

Golden called it. Get in touch with Federal and have the lot number handy. They may replace the box of ammo, may not, but either way, I'd stop shooting it. Pull the bullets, oil the primers, and crush the brass for recycling. It got brittle at some point.

 

[BUFF]

It happens sometimes. It is a result of something in the quality control arena slipping. I pretty much quit buying Remington brand handgun ammo way back because I had this happen in several different chamberings, .44 Special, .41 Mag lead bullet 'mid-range, .45 Colt. None of these were very hot loadings, and for factory ammo to do this, someone at R-P had been asleep at the wheel when the brass cases were manufactured.

I haven't seen Federal do this before. My department buys Federal American Eagle for training, practice and some qualification, and we shoot a lot of it in 9mm, .40, .45 and .223/5.56, and it is generally very satisfactory stuff.

Yep, call Federal with the lot number.

 

[Dan Cash]

The brass is obviously hard; perhaps not properly anealed. Yes, call Federal but unless you want to reload the brass, i would not worry about the axial cracks. It will soot up your handgun but is not particularly dangerous. I am sure there are those who will take issue with this opinion but I doubt there is empirical evidence to the contrary.
Dan

 

[cwl1862]

Yep kept the empty box and all of the brass that was collected, sent Federal an e-mail yesterday and plan on following up with a call on Monday. No damage to my firearm that I could see! But I agree this should not happen with new factory ammo! Was just wondering if anyone else had this issue.

 

[TSQUARED]

Went to the range today to punch some holes in some targets. To accoumplish this I purchased a box of Federal American Eagle 124gr FMJ. After the fireing was over I collected my brass and discovered that five of them had suffered a case failure to one extreem or another. Four of the five failed and the last just split. Has anyone else had this issue with the American Brand? Did you contact Federal and what did they tell you? Two other types of ammo were also fired at this time without any failures from the other brand names rounds. Only happened with the Fed AE
Attached Thumbnails

You did not mention the gun in which the ammo was shot. You might have a gun with an awfully sloppy chamber (a remote possibility) but the fact that two other brands of ammo did not show cracks makes that a lower probability. I would surely check the chamber and then contact Federal. In the high pressure cartridges such as 9mm and 40 S&W I toss brass in the scrap heap after 4 reloads to prevent the cracked cases you experienced. This should definitely not happen with new ammo.

 

[cwl1862]

You did not mention the gun in which the ammo was shot. You might have a gun with an awfully sloppy chamber (a remote possibility) but the fact that two other brands of ammo did not show cracks makes that a lower probability. I would surely check the chamber and then contact Federal. In the high pressure cartridges such as 9mm and 40 S&W I toss brass in the scrap heap after 4 reloads to prevent the cracked cases you experienced. This should definitely not happen with new ammo.

It was a S&W 908, the chamber is good. I'm planning on calling Federal tomorrow. We'll see what happens.

 

[Denver Dick]

I would take a photocopy of the box showing the lot number and a three of the cracked cases and send them to Federal at the address they give you on their website or on the phone, probably something like "Attn: Customer Service/Quality Control." Also enclose a letter explaining what happen and request that they let you know the findings of their testing. They will let you know what they found and probably send a check for the retail price of a box of ammo or a coupon for a free box from a retailer.

By the way, assuming you've had no problems with other brands of ammo, it may have been just a batch of brittle brass, perhaps not properly annealed. JMHO FWIW