270 WSM Factory Ammo Woes

[nmkid]

So here are 2 cases from my nephews 270 WSM Factory Federal loads shooting CA. loads. It was almost impossible to work the bolt after a round was fired. What do you think? A little hot? Sorry for the fuzzy picture I just couldn't get the camera to focus.

 

[drumcorpschamp]

Balloon head brass? Oy!
Jerry

 

[nmkid]

Forgot to mention...He called Federal, sent pictures and they said it was fine!!

 

[JFrank]

Would moisture in the chamber be a consideration?
Any chance of excessive Headspace ?

 

[0.1 Aggregate]

Stiff bolt lift almost always means excessive pressure or very soft brass. I can’t tell from the photo what the imprint is on the case head, that could be faulty brass or something else, excess pressure usually forces the case head brass to extrude into recesses on the bolt face, not press an imprint into the case head. A better photo might help.




.

 

[mikecr]

Is that holes in case heads?

 

[nmkid]

Let me see if I can get a better picture.

Would moisture in the chamber be a consideration?
Any chance of excessive Headspace ?

I made sure that was not the problem

 

[nmkid]

 

[drumcorpschamp]

I see it now... looks like brass extruded into ejector hole in bolt face (which has a very sharp edge on it) and sheared when the bolt was opened.
Maybe?
Jerry

 

[ATFIV]

Any chance they were in a really hot truck and then in direct sunlinght before shooting?

 

[arctic2]

Look's like nickel plating came off.

 

[lb-ft]

Federal is incorrect. That ammunition is not safe. No doubt it was quite pricey and I am sorry about that, but anytime you have a bolt that is difficult to lift it’s a clear sign something is amiss.

 

[nmkid]

Any chance they were in a really hot truck and then in direct sunlinght before shooting?

No sir.

 

[nmkid]

Look's like nickel plating came off.

It did.

 

[nmkid]

I was in CA. when this happened so I brought the barreled action home to VA. with me. The rifle belongs to the youngest son of my deceased brother. I'm getting a new stock from Zack at Old Dominion Rifles. Got the stuff to work up some loads for him. If that doesn't work out I think I will really surprise him and have Zack spin a new barrel on it. It'll shoot then!!

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Some years ago, a close friend bought a Kimber in 270WSM. It had the same issues - plus it was the worst handling rifle that I had ever fired. The recoil caused a twist in the gun, which almost wrenched it out of your hand., notwithstanding the sticky bolt. It was thought that the neck was cut too short, causing the case to engage in the throat, but the Kimber agent would not say what was wrong and replaced it with a 7mm, as no 270's were available. A whole different ball game. Delightful.

 

[Toms]

View attachment 1286974So here are 2 cases from my nephews 270 WSM Factory Federal loads shooting CA. loads. It was almost impossible to work the bolt after a round was fired. What do you think? A little hot? Sorry for the fuzzy picture I just couldn't get the camera to focus.

I had a Remington 270 WSM that had the same problem with Remington ammo. Talked personally to a factory rep. He looked at the fired cases and told me to try Winchester ammo as there brass was harder. I sold the rifle. Toms.

 

[darkangel_r2]

Did the bullet impact the lands at all? Was there any additional force to close the bolt or marks on the bullet ogive?

What was the headspace difference between fired and unfired?

 

[Kurz]

1) If the boys at Federal said it was fine, call the President or COO of Federal and report this to them.

Forgot to mention...He called Federal, sent pictures and they said it was fine!!

2) Get better pictures! Have your nephew hold the cases while bracing his hand on a table or something solid. You pay attention to the camera (phone probably) while holding it back far enough to focus the shot CLEARLY. Then use the in-phone features to crop it a little bit. If you can't figure this out get a 12-year old to help.

Other than that, without a bunch more information and better pictures, you will get every possible little explanation available from everybody making their guess. If guesses are O.K. keep at it!

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

Federal is incorrect. That ammunition is not safe. No doubt it was quite pricey and I am sorry about that, but anytime you have a bolt that is difficult to lift it’s a clear sign something is amiss.

AGREE with, THIS !!!
SADLY, Federal AIN'T, the Company it,.. ONCE, WAS !
Throw that, Ammo,.. away !!! ( sorry ! )
IF, you want any good, .270 WSM Reload "receipies" just, Hollar !
I use Remington ( Norma good, too ) Brass and IMR 7828 with, 140 gr. AccuBonds and or, Berger Classic's.
Buy some Forster Dies if, wanting ACCURACY !
NO Problem with Pressures and,..Very Cold and,.. "Warm Day",.. TESTED, loads !
Got 2 Elk with, those Loads so far.