Bulk .45ACP Warning

[photogpat]

So, just a word of warning to those who have bulk boxes of .45 ACP. The rim on a .45 ACP cartridge is just the right size to cause ignition of the primer on another .45 ACP cartridge...with nasty results should it happen while you're in the general vicinity. This is a round from a bulk box of .45ACP that someone dropped approximately 4ft onto a hard floor. That person heard a loud BANG. After changing their shorts, they found this in the box.

IMHO, leave it in trays or compartmentalized ammo boxes.

[LarryFlew]

makes me wonder if WWB uses a harder primer or you would think they would have been sued at some point for their bulk boxes.

[george]

Maybe some of the reasoning behind the small pistol primer 45 ACP ?
Been wondering why some have started this.

[photogpat]

I would guess that .45CP bulk (loose) packs will be going away, if not gone already. In a nutshell, the transportation regulations for ORM-D Ammo are going away, and whats replacing them doesn't allow for anything bulk packed except .22LR.

Loose, oriented rounds are allowed - aligned primer to primer...but they have to be setup and packaged so that stuff like this doesn't happen.

[870TC]

I've actually seen many rounds like the one in the photo. From my experience the half moon/crescent shape is present when the round comes off the progressive press. (have not seen it in bulk packing but it certainly could happen).
Sometimes its caused by debris getting under the new primer as it is seated, and sometimes its from a hesitation in the primer deliver system.....good reason to keep your press clean.

[photogpat]

I've actually seen many rounds like the one in the photo. From my experience the half moon/crescent shape is present when the round comes off the progressive press. (have not seen it in bulk packing but it certainly could happen).
Sometimes its caused by debris getting under the new primer as it is seated, and sometimes its from a hesitation in the primer deliver system.....good reason to keep your press clean.

If I get a chance with the round again I'll take a picture with it and another .45ACP case -- the half-moon crease matches perfectly. Plus, this was a box of factory ammo, it didn't come out of a press like this.

[ex-LT]

makes me wonder if WWB uses a harder primer or you would think they would have been sued at some point for their bulk boxes.

Loose, oriented rounds are allowed - aligned primer to primer...but they have to be setup and packaged so that stuff like this doesn't happen.

Every box of WWB bulk pack of .45 ACP that I've ever purchased has them aligned similar to what photogpat mentioned, except they're aligned nose to nose instead of primer to primer.

PS - my understanding is that Federal primers are considered the softest of all the major manufacturers

[Vtecgunner]

Yikes!

[Lights]

That round would not have even made it through a piece of sheetrock. Check out the SAMMI video test on youtube for yourself. Hell an unsupported 30-06 will bounce of of a piece of sheetrock.

[photogpat]

That round would not have even made it through a piece of sheetrock. Check out the SAMMI video test on youtube for yourself. Hell an unsupported 30-06 will bounce of of a piece of sheetrock.

Seen the video - I'm still going to say I wouldn't want it happening right in front of me without eye protection though.

[TH3180]

I would say start with. Don't drop a box of ammo onto a hard floor from four feet in the air.

[tator2k]

Problem is the shrapnel, can damage and detonate other rounds in the pacakge/box/container. I watched someone drop a Dillon box of 100 on the floor, one went off and 3 were damaged enough to possibly cause a chain reaction.

[photogpat]

Problem is the shrapnel, can damage and detonate other rounds in the pacakge/box/container. I watched someone drop a Dillon box of 100 on the floor, one went off and 3 were damaged enough to possibly cause a chain reaction.

Small arms ammo doesn't propagate, ie. one round won't set off the round next to it. Shrapnel is a problem to the eyes and skin though!

Loose primers are a different story, they propagate easily...

[scarletvw]

Problem is the shrapnel, can damage and detonate other rounds in the pacakge/box/container. I watched someone drop a Dillon box of 100 on the floor, one went off and 3 were damaged enough to possibly cause a chain reaction.

It would not cause a chain reaction. watch the video that lights refers too. They do a lot of different tests, rounds do not set off other rounds.

That round would not have even made it through a piece of sheetrock. Check out the SAMMI video test on youtube for yourself. Hell an unsupported 30-06 will bounce of of a piece of sheetrock.

[Vtecgunner]

Problem is the shrapnel, can damage and detonate other rounds in the pacakge/box/container. I watched someone drop a Dillon box of 100 on the floor, one went off and 3 were damaged enough to possibly cause a chain reaction.

It would not cause a chain reaction. watch the video that lights refers too. They do a lot of different tests, rounds do not set off other rounds.

That round would not have even made it through a piece of sheetrock. Check out the SAMMI video test on youtube for yourself. Hell an unsupported 30-06 will bounce of of a piece of sheetrock.

Still a bit unnerving!