Dented .223 safe to shoot?

[RstyShcklfrd]

I was loading a round into the chamber when it became stuck, as the magazine wasn't seated properly I believe.

It has a dent that is approximately 3/16''. It begins at the base of the neck portion of the casing. I'll try to get pictures up ASAP.

There is also a small "scratch" on the bullet itself, but figure that may be irrelevant.

Is this thing still safe to shoot?

 

[RstyShcklfrd]

 

[bcannon87]

It should be just fine. And it will get the dent knocked out upon firing. Some of the Lake City bulk I have shot had dents about this same size in the case and they shot fine with no problems.

 

[RstyShcklfrd]

Great!

 

[kusai]

any problem throwing that round off ? Saves headache worries lots of internet time.

 

[RstyShcklfrd]

Well, I won't lie. This is the last of my brass .223. If I keep it I have 150 rounds exact. If I don't I have 149 rounds, which equals to 4 full 30 round magazines and 1 magazine with 29 rounds, and that just doesn't work.

 

[Wolfwood]

send it back and get a new one!



seriously though, in a pinch out in the field i'd shoot it - no reason to risk it from the bench, and i'd never leave anything less than 100% regular ammo in my ar mags - my luck would have it fail at the worst possible moment. when that round misfired or fails to eject and im left holding a $700 paperweight and my family is in danger.

not worth the $0.25 to me.

 

[TXARGUY]

That's nothing. You should see some of the M855 I've been getting lately. The stuff in the white box from Academy. Dented to hell but shoots fine.

 

[kabob]

Wolfwood, your AR was only $700? Are even the DPMS Panthers that inexpensive?

 

[Wolfwood]

DPMS (afaik) upper - colt lower.

got it here on TGT.

i saw one recently for sale fore 750 in the classifieds.

 

[RstyShcklfrd]

Hmmm. I think I'll just mark that magazine. It will leave me with 29 rounds and that just makes me uncomfortable - not being a round short, but the number.

 

[RetArmySgt]

Wolfwood, your AR was only $700? Are even the DPMS Panthers that inexpensive?

When i bought mine in 2007-2008 (somewhere in that time range) i paid $585 out the door.

 

[rsayloriii]

I've shot plenty like that before without a hitch. Nothing noticeably different than any other round.

 

[shortround]

If it chambers, shoot it.

If it don't, toss it in a can of motor oil.

 

[M. Sage]

No problem, it'll shoot.

 

[Dawico]

I would shoot it. If you are worried, load it in the magazine first. If you go through 29 rounds and the fight isn't finished you have much bigger things to worry about.

I only throw them out when they are kinked or creased. I don't even think about a little dent like that.

 

[Dawico]

On a side note, I would save the round and throw that tape measure out.

 

[RstyShcklfrd]

Lol, great. It's going straight into my mag then.

 

[TheDan]

Wolfwood, your AR was only $700? Are even the DPMS Panthers that inexpensive?

Less than $700 is easily doable... My cheapest AR has a Stag upper with a complete Plum Crazy lower. Total cost was $575 including taxes. Jury is still out on the Plum Crazy, but so far so good. Stag was already a known quality to me, so I don't expect any issues there.

...and yes; shoot the round and don't worry about it.

 

[Vaquero]

I had bigger dents than that from too much case lube in the sizing die. (oil dents)
Load it in a mag and forget it.