Split brass:is it the brass or the rifle?

Big Don · August 14, 2006, 03:36 PM

I fired 8 rounds while testing my .223 rifle and when I collected the cases, I found each one was split about mid-case, vertically. The longest split is
5/8", the rest of the splits are smaller. The cases are all stamped "A-Merc" and "556". I do not know how long I've owned the ammo, it's been stored in a cool area and to my knowledge, has not been exposed to adverse weather or been water damaged, other than one excursion to the desert for a two-day camping trip. The bullets went down range just fine and the rifle cycled as it should.
Any thoughts?

**Mal H** · August 14, 2006, 04:41 PM

"A-Merc"

Say no more. Trash all remaining brass and/or live ammo and count your blessings. Seriously.

A search here or on almost any shooting board for "amerc" will be an eye-opener.

firechicken · August 14, 2006, 05:56 PM

I picked up a pile of A-Merc 5.56 cases at the range one day. At least half of them were split down the side. I went ahead and picked them all up so nobody else would try to reload them, and they went into my "recycle" bucket. I agree with Mal H....don't fire even one more of those in your rifle!

pumpkinheaver · August 14, 2006, 08:03 PM

American brass is BAD. I bought a box of .45acps to plink with, some of the case mouths looked like a hole saw, jagged teeth looking. Try something better in your rifle.

El Paso Joe · August 15, 2006, 09:38 AM

I had a real run of bad luck with this company's ammo in some 9mm's - stovepipes, fte's, and when I tried to reload, the rims were too thick for the shell holder. Throw the stuff away.

Wild Bill Bucks · August 15, 2006, 10:42 AM

CHUNCK the JUNK, There are to many good companies making quality ammo for the .223 to put up with something that could hurt you.

Big Don · August 17, 2006, 02:22 AM

Well, this forum did exactly what I wanted and that was to give me instant feedback for my question. Now I know why Miwall had the ammo on sale for such a low price at their Father's Day sale! Oh how I hate to waste ammo but I'd rather do that than waste a firearm. Many thanks to all of you for your responses and warnings. I'm passing them on to my shooting buddies so no one else gets caught with this junk.

August 14, 2006, 03:36 PM	#1
Big Don Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2006 Location: Hayden, ID Posts: 375	Split brass:is it the brass or the rifle? I fired 8 rounds while testing my .223 rifle and when I collected the cases, I found each one was split about mid-case, vertically. The longest split is 5/8", the rest of the splits are smaller. The cases are all stamped "A-Merc" and "556". I do not know how long I've owned the ammo, it's been stored in a cool area and to my knowledge, has not been exposed to adverse weather or been water damaged, other than one excursion to the desert for a two-day camping trip. The bullets went down range just fine and the rifle cycled as it should. Any thoughts? Last edited by Big Don; August 14, 2006 at 03:37 PM. Reason: To subscribe to email notification

August 15, 2006, 09:38 AM	#5
El Paso Joe Senior Member Join Date: July 4, 2006 Location: Spokane Valley Posts: 340	Bad Stuff... I had a real run of bad luck with this company's ammo in some 9mm's - stovepipes, fte's, and when I tried to reload, the rims were too thick for the shell holder. Throw the stuff away.

August 17, 2006, 02:22 AM	#7
Big Don Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2006 Location: Hayden, ID Posts: 375	Thank you for the feedback Well, this forum did exactly what I wanted and that was to give me instant feedback for my question. Now I know why Miwall had the ammo on sale for such a low price at their Father's Day sale! Oh how I hate to waste ammo but I'd rather do that than waste a firearm. Many thanks to all of you for your responses and warnings. I'm passing them on to my shooting buddies so no one else gets caught with this junk.

August 14, 2006, 04:41 PM	#2
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,955	"A-Merc" Say no more. Trash all remaining brass and/or live ammo and count your blessings. Seriously. A search here or on almost any shooting board for "amerc" will be an eye-opener.

August 14, 2006, 05:56 PM	#3
firechicken Senior Member Join Date: April 17, 2006 Location: Savannah, MO Posts: 224	I picked up a pile of A-Merc 5.56 cases at the range one day. At least half of them were split down the side. I went ahead and picked them all up so nobody else would try to reload them, and they went into my "recycle" bucket. I agree with Mal H....don't fire even one more of those in your rifle!

August 14, 2006, 08:03 PM	#4
pumpkinheaver Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 294	American brass is BAD. I bought a box of .45acps to plink with, some of the case mouths looked like a hole saw, jagged teeth looking. Try something better in your rifle.

August 15, 2006, 10:42 AM	#6
Wild Bill Bucks Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2005 Location: Southeastern Oklahoma, Next door to Sasquatch Posts: 1,266	CHUNCK the JUNK, There are to many good companies making quality ammo for the .223 to put up with something that could hurt you.