The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Skunkworks > The Smithy

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old July 28, 2021, 02:01 PM   #1
Runs With Fire
Member
 
Join Date: March 19, 2018
Location: Ensley Center, MI
Posts: 86
Rifle Started Blowing Cases, Why?

My buddy was took his son to a competition. He had a Savage 110 ultralight in 270. He noticed his boy reacting more than usual to the recoil, which got progressively worse. The 20 the shot blew the primer. Dad tried it and blew the next three even worse. He immediately there out his hand loads and grabbed a box of Remington. Two shots fired, both blew the primer and split the case.
This was not a new gun. They'd both shot it a lot. My first suggestion was to look for a lot of copper in the rifling. I also thought perhaps there was a carbon ring messing with the case neck. Just some things to check while in the field. He just ordered some go/no-go gauges. It was sunny but neither the gun nor ammo very hot to the touch.
So, I'm asking what y'all think. What might have made a progression of pressure like that? I don't have any experience with that rifle so I'm at a loss on the mechanical side of things.
__________________
AD DARE SERVIRE
Runs With Fire is offline  
Old July 28, 2021, 03:17 PM   #2
sako2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 12, 2009
Posts: 733
Temperature sensitive powder. Were the reloads developed in colder weather? And yes some factory loads can be to hot for some guns in warm weather.
sako2 is offline  
Old July 28, 2021, 04:10 PM   #3
Runs With Fire
Member
 
Join Date: March 19, 2018
Location: Ensley Center, MI
Posts: 86
Hmm, interesting notion. I haven't heard back from him so I don't know if it was a carbon or copper issue. I'm quite certain that as the barrel warmed up it got worse, but that would have only been the agitator that brought the underlying issue to light. I'm waiting to hear from him if he figured anything out yet.
__________________
AD DARE SERVIRE
Runs With Fire is offline  
Old July 28, 2021, 07:39 PM   #4
sako2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 12, 2009
Posts: 733
Did he have a heavy bolt lift? Blown primers are a sign of over pressure. If he was at max charge and the loads were developed in colder weather that could do it.
sako2 is offline  
Old July 28, 2021, 07:51 PM   #5
4V50 Gary
Staff
 
Join Date: November 2, 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 21,824
I'm thinking about the chamber.
__________________
Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. Molon Labe!
4V50 Gary is offline  
Old July 28, 2021, 09:20 PM   #6
Scorch
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 13, 2006
Location: Washington state
Posts: 15,248
Something happened to the chamber or wrong ammo. Since they have reloads it probably is not a wrong ammo issue.
__________________
Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs.
But what do I know?
Summit Arms Services
Scorch is offline  
Old July 28, 2021, 09:47 PM   #7
Sarge
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 12, 2002
Location: MO
Posts: 5,453
Check the barrel nut and make sure it hasn't loosened or moved. Also check headspace.
__________________
People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.
Sarge is offline  
Old July 28, 2021, 11:43 PM   #8
mehavey
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 17, 2010
Location: Virginia
Posts: 6,869
Quote:
He immediately [threw] out his hand loads and grabbed a box of Remington. Two shots fired, both blew the primer and split the case.
- Grab an aluminum coke can and cut 1/4" strips out of it; then crosswise for 1/4" squares. (each ~3½ thousandths thick)
- Take a commercial round of the Remington ammo, and start adding those squares to the base (adhesived)

How many squares before the bolt won't close ?
mehavey is offline  
Old July 29, 2021, 06:36 AM   #9
NoSecondBest
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 7, 2009
Location: Western New York
Posts: 2,736
Barrel nut loose and headspace is increasing with each shot.
NoSecondBest is offline  
Old July 29, 2021, 04:44 PM   #10
Shadow9mm
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 21, 2012
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 3,947
Quote:
Originally Posted by mehavey View Post
- Grab an aluminum coke can and cut 1/4" strips out of it; then crosswise for 1/4" squares. (each ~3½ thousandths thick)
- Take a commercial round of the Remington ammo, and start adding those squares to the base (adhesived)

How many squares before the bolt won't close ?
Very interesting. I was thinking buildup in the chamber/barrel/ but the loose barrel nut increasing the headspace is a very interesting idea. Really like the coke can idea as well.
__________________
I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload.
Shadow9mm is offline  
Old July 29, 2021, 07:11 PM   #11
FrankenMauser
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 25, 2008
Location: In the valley above the plain
Posts: 13,401
Quote:
Barrel nut loose and headspace is increasing with each shot.
^That.

-

Also, throwing away handloads that are suspect is idiotic.
That is the most valuable collection of evidence, other than the rifle itself.
Absolutely idiotic to trash the primary avenue for investigation.
__________________
Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.
FrankenMauser is offline  
Old July 29, 2021, 08:02 PM   #12
Shadow9mm
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 21, 2012
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 3,947
Agreed, you could check all the dimensions on the case, pull the bullets, check the charge weight. Rule out or confirm a reloading error.
__________________
I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload.
Shadow9mm is offline  
Old July 30, 2021, 11:17 AM   #13
Nathan
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 1, 2001
Posts: 6,285
Try packing tape….it is 0.002” thick. vs the 0.004”

Also, real gages are helpful
Nathan is offline  
Old July 30, 2021, 07:41 PM   #14
mehavey
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 17, 2010
Location: Virginia
Posts: 6,869
The only reason I didn't suggest tape, is that it compresses easily ('squishy' bolt close).

Given the plausibility of catastrophic headspace change, I still suggest stepping 0.0035' at
a time w/ (largely) incompressible metal.
mehavey is offline  
Old July 30, 2021, 11:38 PM   #15
101combatvet
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 25, 2011
Posts: 667
So reloads and factory ammunition were splitting cases?
__________________
Special Operations Combat Veteran
Gunsmith, BS, MFA, Competitive Shooter
NRA Certified Firearms Instructor [9 Certifications]
101combatvet is offline  
Old July 31, 2021, 08:23 AM   #16
std7mag
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 23, 2013
Location: Central Taxylvania..
Posts: 3,609
Remington did have a recall on some 270 ammo.
Was overpressured enough that some of their pump guns came apart, and permanently swelled chambers in bolt guns.

Part of the reason i don't shoot factory ammo.

As for the handloads, they are either too hot.
Or.
The cases have been loaded at/near max pressures enough times to cause loose primer pockets.
__________________
When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!!

"Januarary 6th insurrection".
Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...
std7mag is offline  
Old August 2, 2021, 01:03 PM   #17
jmhyer
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 19, 2012
Location: MS - USA
Posts: 899
I'm guessing this is the youtube video explaining the issue...
https://youtu.be/dy_af96bgvQ
jmhyer is offline  
Old August 2, 2021, 11:52 PM   #18
101combatvet
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 25, 2011
Posts: 667
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmhyer View Post
I'm guessing this is the youtube video explaining the issue...
https://youtu.be/dy_af96bgvQ
This is ridiculous.
__________________
Special Operations Combat Veteran
Gunsmith, BS, MFA, Competitive Shooter
NRA Certified Firearms Instructor [9 Certifications]
101combatvet is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:40 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.11280 seconds with 10 queries