Raptor 30-06 banana

308Loader · August 24, 2022, 03:31 PM

I recently picked up a Raptor 30-06 from a flea market, and it is in a cartoon like state. the barrel is split like a banana! The seller had no information on its previous owner, bought in a storage locker auction.

What in the world would cause this kind of catastrophic failure? the barrel is split from the muzzle to the front of the chamber. Action bolt and trigger appear to be in good shape.

photos on Flickr during WD40 bath all surface rust came right off
https://www.flickr.com/photos/196367...posted-public/

sako2 · August 24, 2022, 03:38 PM

I have pictures of 1 split like that. Gunsmith said the guy told him he got mud in the barrel while hunting and thought he could shoot it out.

Scorch · August 24, 2022, 04:21 PM

With the pitting on that receiver, I would say it got neglected a bit. I've seen rifles open up because of reloads using the wrong or too much powder, shooting an obstruction out of the bore, rust in the bore, shooting the rifle under water, etc. If you can imagine it, it's been done.

308Loader · August 24, 2022, 06:21 PM

Project gun or permeant wall art? Could I ever trust this action and bolt if re-barreled and a new stock?

**44 AMP** · August 25, 2022, 12:35 AM

Even severe surface rust or pitting does not automatically ruin the action. Though it can if bad enough and in vital areas.
HOWEVER, what ever happened to blow the barrel could have overstressed the action and caused the bolt lugs to "set back" in their recesses, and that, if extreme would make it wall art.

You can have the action checked by a competent shop for cracks, setback and any other damage, have it x-rayed, magafluxed or whatever it is they do nowdays, to see if its serviceable, but the cost of having that done might be economically prohibitive. I don't know, sorry.

taylorce1 · August 25, 2022, 08:55 PM

I'd hang it on the wall.

Paul B. · August 27, 2022, 02:41 PM

Barrel split like a banana? Most likely a barrel obstruction although there could be other possibilities. Receiver may ot not be OK. Probably what I'd look at first would be the recesses for the locking lugs for setback. If they're OK then the receiver should be just fine.
Paul B.

taylorce1 · August 27, 2022, 09:16 PM

I didn't say much in my first post, but Raptors had a reputation for being junk from the start. Raptor Arms failed quickly and miserably. A simple google search is all you need to realize it isn't worth resurrection.

Geezerbiker · August 28, 2022, 01:24 PM

It would make an interesting .45 ACP rifle and you wouldn't have to worry about the receiver failing...

Tony

August 24, 2022, 03:31 PM	#1
308Loader Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 639	Raptor 30-06 banana I recently picked up a Raptor 30-06 from a flea market, and it is in a cartoon like state. the barrel is split like a banana! The seller had no information on its previous owner, bought in a storage locker auction. What in the world would cause this kind of catastrophic failure? the barrel is split from the muzzle to the front of the chamber. Action bolt and trigger appear to be in good shape. photos on Flickr during WD40 bath all surface rust came right off https://www.flickr.com/photos/196367...posted-public/ __________________ Just a dude with stuff. Last edited by 308Loader; August 24, 2022 at 03:37 PM.

August 24, 2022, 04:21 PM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	With the pitting on that receiver, I would say it got neglected a bit. I've seen rifles open up because of reloads using the wrong or too much powder, shooting an obstruction out of the bore, rust in the bore, shooting the rifle under water, etc. If you can imagine it, it's been done. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

August 24, 2022, 06:21 PM	#4
308Loader Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 639	Project gun or permeant wall art? Could I ever trust this action and bolt if re-barreled and a new stock? __________________ Just a dude with stuff.

August 25, 2022, 12:35 AM	#5
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,839	Even severe surface rust or pitting does not automatically ruin the action. Though it can if bad enough and in vital areas. HOWEVER, what ever happened to blow the barrel could have overstressed the action and caused the bolt lugs to "set back" in their recesses, and that, if extreme would make it wall art. You can have the action checked by a competent shop for cracks, setback and any other damage, have it x-rayed, magafluxed or whatever it is they do nowdays, to see if its serviceable, but the cost of having that done might be economically prohibitive. I don't know, sorry. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

August 25, 2022, 08:55 PM	#6
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,249	I'd hang it on the wall. __________________ NRA Life Member

August 24, 2022, 03:38 PM	#2
sako2 Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2009 Posts: 741	I have pictures of 1 split like that. Gunsmith said the guy told him he got mud in the barrel while hunting and thought he could shoot it out.

August 27, 2022, 02:41 PM	#7
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	Barrel split like a banana? Most likely a barrel obstruction although there could be other possibilities. Receiver may ot not be OK. Probably what I'd look at first would be the recesses for the locking lugs for setback. If they're OK then the receiver should be just fine. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

August 27, 2022, 09:16 PM	#8
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,249	I didn't say much in my first post, but Raptors had a reputation for being junk from the start. Raptor Arms failed quickly and miserably. A simple google search is all you need to realize it isn't worth resurrection. __________________ NRA Life Member

August 28, 2022, 01:24 PM	#9
Geezerbiker Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Location: Willamina, OR Posts: 1,908	It would make an interesting .45 ACP rifle and you wouldn't have to worry about the receiver failing... Tony