There were two different battle packs I bought about 1-2 years ago back when it was still $200/1000. Both have the same problems.
Misfires are the main problem. I had several misifres, and when cycling the action to clear the chamber and cock the hammer, gunpowder FELL OUT of the receiver! So did the bullet. I have ruled out any part of the MG42 causing this pulled bullet condition. BELIEVE ME when I say that it is no fun to take apart your MG42 just to shake all the gunpowder out of the receiver while everyone at the range is watching!
The issue seems to be the necks aren't crimped as much as a brand new, "normal" .308 round. The military tar-based sealant is plainly visible inside the neck and on the bullet of these misfired rounds, and it doesn't seem to go all the way around. I suspect all of the rounds have this problem with loose necks, but there is enough sealant on the others to hide this problem. Pulling bullets with my kinetic bullet puller (the hollow plastic hammer) takes a significantly small amount of force. I can practically shake the hammer in the air to pull the bullet! Seriously. An extremely light tap is all it takes to pull the bullets. In comparison, any new factory .308 ammo takes several hard taps to pull the bullets.
I have also had some weak rounds fired off that felt much lighter than the normal round. I strongly suspect that is because the bullet was pulled out of the case, causing the chamber pressure to be low. It is intermittent, and obviously I have no way to confirm this.
Another possible but unconfirmed issue is misfires due to weak primers. I have pulled some bullets and tested just the primers, and there is a significantly smaller "pow" when compared to large rifle primers as used in new production US ammo. It is nearly a whisper in comparison. I suspect this may be causing misfires where the powder simply isn't getting ignited, or igniting more slowly as if a smaller, cooler-burning primer is used. If this is the case, then this is probably the source of *some* of my misfires, but my binding firing pin is still on my suspect parts list.
The last remaining bag I have of this ammo is going to be cycled through my reloading crimp die before I use it! And after that I will probably only use it in my other rifles. No, I did not save the package so I do not know any lot number or anything like that. This is the normal S. African ammo with pretty brass and the purple-blue primer sealant.
