9mm case failure

[Rags]

I had a 9mm experience a catastrophic case failure near the rim yesterday. It blew the trigger bar right out of my Beretta 92F. It was a reload that I had loaded just a couple of days before.

Background: I just got back into reloading a couple of months ago. I was short on brass, so I picked up some "range brass" somebody had laying around. The particular case which failed was WCC military. I always throw this military stuff away because of the extra crap in the primer pocket, but this one slipped through. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't see this as a cause for case failure. The case did not otherwise show any sign of excessive pressure. Also, I wouldn't think that the case had been reloaded before because of the fact that is was military brass.

Anybody have any ideas on why the case failed? I know you'd be guessing, but maybe something is obvious to somebody. I wish I had taken a picture of the case, but it's on the way to Beretta now along with my pistol.

Oh, let me give you the load data.

Winchester flat based 115 grain FMJ
Remington 1 1/2 small pistol primer
5.0 grains of Hercules Bullseye (yes, Hercules)

Thanks guys,

Rags

[secretbard]

Don't quote me on this, but I've heard that military brass has less case capacity which can change chamber pressure. I know that 5.56 cases have less case capacity.

[aubie515]

Yes, a lot of military brass has a thicker wall, so less powder can go into the cases.

My Hornady manual shows that 4.6gr is the max for Bullseye for 115gr bullet.

[Rags]

Speer manual. 5.0 is their "max".

Correction. Hercules lists 5.0 as their max. for Bullseye on a 115gr FMJ. Speer lists 5.3 grains.

[buster]

I think I use the same load except with 115gr XTP. I am new to reloading for pistols, so what are high pressure signs?

[fultonCoShooter]

Originally Posted by Rags

Speer manual. 5.0 is their "max".

i dont reload but i would never load a once fired casing to MAX pressure. Especially one I found at the range that casing could have been reloaded numerous times before someone left it there.

[Pukindog]

Like you said I'm guessing. I don't think a defective case would cause that type of damage. Sounds like a double charge in the case.
What did the case lok like after being fired?
Jeff

[Rags]

I just loaded this ammo and I check each and every case after I fill the loading block with the charged cases. I am sure that it was not a double or even an over charge. I'm anal about that when I reload! Having said that, I too am surprised at the damage from a failed case. Then again, I have never had a case fail like this. I have found cracks near the lip during case inspection and, of course, discarded these cases, but never "seen" weakness at the base. I don't know if you can "see" such a thing.

[Rags]

Oh, and to answer your question, the case looked "normal" except for the gaping hole on the side near the rim. The primer looked normal; it was not the slightest bit "flat". I just didn't see any signs of excessive pressure.

[Pukindog]

I just a had pregnant moment! Several years ago I noticed that the top of the barrel extention ( or whatever it is called) was missing on one of my 1911's. Didn't realize it until I had a couple of jams that day.
The damage was caused by the gun firing out of battery. If the gun is out of battery the case is unsupported. Could cause what you described You may want to look into that.
Jeff