Allen,

Sorry I missed you in Bend.

I doubt you need my advice on handling corporations, but I'd try hard to get management buy-in on this as a serious problem that needs engineering review and support. Even at best (!) case - a bad lot of bullets - something in the system failed, suppliers, process, whatever. At worst - bad design - would certainly need engineering review. Maybe Kyle Hopp can help you get this the attention it deserves.

Jaywalker