Last night we were transferring ammo to Plano boxes and came across one that was shorter than all the rest (see photo). No manufacturing process is 100% perfect so I would expect this from time to time, but the question is, what to do with it? My gut feeling is that it shouldn't be used, but can more experienced firearms owners here on the forum confirm or contradict that please? 

Yep - too deeply set - don't use it.

 

It's called "Bullet Setback"

I recently had the same situation with 2 rounds in a box of UMC 9mm factory ammo. I would not use them if I were you.

And here's why you shouldn't.

The pressure in the cartridge case is determined by many factors.

Two being the powder charge and the available amount of air in the case.

Well even if the powder charge is correct in this defective round the available air is not.

Trash it!

Yep - too deeply set - don't use it.

 

It's called "Bullet Setback"

 

 

Thank you for letting me know that is has a name. I learn something new every day. 

 

I recently had the same situation with 2 rounds in a box of UMC 9mm factory ammo. I would not use them if I were you.

 

FWIW, this one came from a 50-round box of Winchester 9mm Luger, though as I said above, I'm sure this happens with every manufacturer at some point.

 

I definitely won't use it. I just wanted to be sure I wasn't tossing it needlessly; I wouldn't toss a quarter in the trash, why do that with a bullet worth almost as much?

 

Actually, this brings up another point—is there a protocol for tossing this kind of ammo?

Edited July 22, 201610 yr by Cereza

One round? Next time your at the range just give it to a RO. He will know what to do with it.

 

 

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I mark all the bad rounds I come across with a sharpie and throw them in a box to disassemble one day.

FWIW, bullet setback is usually applied to a round that has been repeatedly chambered and pushed back into the case. If that's a new round it's more like too deeply seated or insufficient neck tension causing the round to move back during transit.

 

Call it whatever you want but don't shoot it!

If you're ever at GunForHire, there's a canister mounted on the wall just for bad rounds / duds.  Other ranges might have something similar.

If you have a shooting partner that reloads give it to them. They will know what to do.

If you have a shooting partner that reloads give it to them. They will know what to do.

It's true. No one reloads for very long without needing to buy a bullet puller...

Def. Do not use it. If you can notice that a bullet has been pushed in to the case then it is 100% dangerous to shoot.

Throw it on the lawn of some anti gun person (Just kidding)