The bullet shell of M16 has a crack after being fired. ?

Question

Is it dangerous to use an old bullet that cracks after firing?

Answer 1

If the empty shell casing is from a new or once reloaded round you need to get your rifle into a gunsmith ASAP. A major flaw in the chamber can cause this and until you have it checked by a competent gunsmith DON"T shoot it. Cracks at the base of the case can be from a damaged bolt, splits can be from a metal fragment in the upper reciever. A visiual check of the barrel and chamber may not be enough to see damage either. If the crack is on the shoulder of the empty case you need to have the chamber casted and inspected. This is done by breaking the rifle down, putting a clothe patch into the barrel about 4 inches from the chamber and casting it with parrafin. This will show any defects in the chamber. HAVE A PROFESSIONAL DO THIS!!!! I've seen first hand what a case rupture does to the face, it isn't pretty. Do not attempt to reload ANY damaged cases, your asking for trouble. Also when you have the gunsmith check your rifle have him inspect the gas tube for wear while he has it.

Answer 2

I build Match AR's and have been shooting and reloading for the M16/AR-15 since 1978.



if by 'old bullet' you means some very old ammo - yes, it is extremely dangerous. Ammunition does not get better with age. The powder used for 92% of all 223 and 5.56mm ammo is called 'extruded' powder. It is made in a long thin line and then cut into small cylenders or segments. If the ammo is rough handled the segments hit against each other and break. Break enough of them and it changes the ignition properties - it is transformed from a medium speed buring powder to a higher speed burning powder - this will dramatically increase operating pressure beyond tolerance. The first indication are split ejected cartridges. When these cases split - it allows a hot plasma gases to escape there they should never go - they erode the chamber wall much like a plasma metal cutter. Do this enough times and the barrel will fail. Fail = Expolode.



Sometimes ammo gets dirty. People will put them into a tumbler to clean it. This totally acceleartes the aging process, breaks all the cylenders - and the powder no longer burns. Instead it detonates when fired. A brand new mil spec barrel might tolerate this once or twice - usually the case is stuck in the chamber - but it might not. If you have been splitting cases already, then your chamber is problably already eroded and will not hold when a round such as thing is finally fired. Instead of locking up the rifle - it will the throw the BCG back so fast it will crack the rear of the upper receiver and send it into your forehead, eye socket and nose. You could loose an eye, part of your face, or your life.



Hope this helps

Answer 3

Your question is too improperly worded to know what you are actually talking about.



I think you might mean the casing, of a fired cartridge.



In that case... I certainly wouldn't reload it. You might get head separation, and have to get the rifle fixed.



You can't use the old "bullet" again without reloading.



If this was a reload... it had been reloaded too its life, and should now be discarded. If this was factory new ammunition, do not fire any more of it. Contact the manufacturer with the lot number and try to send it back... it may be loaded too hot.

Also, get your rifle inspected, I would tell you to do it.... but you are too ignorant.





Are you military? If not, where on earth did you get an M16?

Answer 4

a "bullet" is the projectile that is fired.

A "shell casing" is the brass case which holds the powder and projectile.

A "cartridge" is the complete unit ready to be loaded into a firearm.

I assume you are asking about the shell casing. If the casing Split after being fired it can be for several reasons. The casing was reloaded to many times and fatigued. It was an excessively hot load, the chamber of the rifle is over sized or damaged, there is excessive head space in the chamber etc etc.

The split casing should be tossed out ( recycle old brass for cash).

if it split in your rifle, check to see if other fired brass show cracks or flaws.

Inspect the chamber.

If in doubt, have a gunsmith take a look at the firearm.

Better to be safe, than lose an expensive firearm, or get injured or worse.

Shoot safe

Answer 5

Any cracked casings should be thrown out. If this was re-loaded in the past it may have been rel-loaded a number of times and the case is fatigued. If it was a factory load, I'd be worried about the pressures it is generating.



Probably would not hurt to have you gun checked to make sure there is not a mechanical reason with the action that it causing this.

Answer 6

I would not suggest it but I have fired them before and all my guns work perfect, and I have never been hurt using them, the other people on here are just trying to scare you into never using your gun again unless you put a new barrel on it, here's what I would do, I would open the action and see if there is any damage and then go from there, screw taking it to a gunsmith, there very much like doctors, they think there "gods" so since there already in your wallet they figure they might as well get all your money. I hope this helps you out :)

Answer 7

yes! that sounds like either the hull has been reloaded to many times or was reloaded to hot. either way its over case psi. which is verry dangerous.

Answer 8

Do not use the stuff. It is not safe. Dispose of it and get some new ammo.

Answer 9

If your want the gun to explode by all means reuse it...



Throw it out

Answer 10

um yea i wouldn't just to be safe

Answer 11

When in doubt.Throw it out.