Another Bergara 6.5 Creedmoor Explodes

[spudgun]

They did update the shroud, Bergara sent me a new one that looks identical to the original
but is made of steel.

My rifle is a older B14 made in 17 on its second barrel with over 4K rounds through it. Now
the main issue with the rifle (older ones at least) was that the firing pin hole in the bolt
was large and if it pierced a primer the gas would push the firing pin into the back
of the bolt shroud and break it.

My particular rifle would crater CCI450 primers so I had the bolt bushed and now it is
good.

Had the same issues with a Savage 12 F/V, 6.5 CM. Solved the issues by using CCI #41 primers.

Please expand on "BOLT BUSHED"

Larry

 

[darkangel_r2]

I think its a process that reduced slop between the firing pin and firing pin hole. It is mean to prevent primer cup from flowing into the gap by reducing the empty span between bolt face and firing pin.

 

[whatsupdoc]

Bushing a bolt is machining out the firing pin hole screwing in a new piece of steel drilling it out
to a smaller diameter hole then grinding the firing pin to fit the hole.

So you end up with a smaller firing pin hole and matching firing pin.

 

[Cemetery21]

smaller firing pin hole and matching firing pin

Fairly common mod on certain Remington 700s manufactured with enlarged bolt face firing pin holes. One forum member and one advertiser do excellent bushing jobs.

 

[spudgun]

Fairly common mod on certain Remington 700s manufactured with enlarged bolt face firing pin holes. One forum member and one advertiser do excellent bushing jobs.

Thank you.

 

[Cemetery21]

^^^ https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/bolt-bushing-photos.3939965/

 

[whatsupdoc]

Fairly common mod on certain Remington 700s manufactured with enlarged bolt face firing pin holes. One forum member and one advertiser do excellent bushing jobs.

I did have my 700 in 223 bushed, had lots of CCI400 primers and wanted to use them on that rifle
but due to their thin cup I had to have the bolt bushed otherwise piercing a primer was inevitable due to the primer cratering.

You have to be proactive in this game, if you find that some combination of firearm and components
gives less than positive repeatable results you need to stop using it change it or correct it.

 

[Brians356]

Are both Bergana and Bergara rifles seemingly at risk? Just askin' for a friend.
-

 

[Riesel]

Yes

 

[heli_av8tor]

I didn't look into the mag well, so no photo.

An empty case believed to be from the first round was found on the bench. It had a Winchester headstamp in the correct caliber. I didn't notice any abnormalities but didn't specifically look for primer cratering. I wasn't aware of the history of problems with this model at the time.

Lots of things I wish I'd done or observed in hindsight. I was preoccupied with casualties, making the 911 call, coordinating with EMT and the Sheriff Deputy.

 

[heli_av8tor]

They did update the shroud, Bergara sent me a new one that looks identical to the original
but is made of steel.

My rifle is a older B14 made in 17 on its second barrel with over 4K rounds through it. Now
the main issue with the rifle (older ones at least) was that the firing pin hole in the bolt
was large and if it pierced a primer the gas would push the firing pin into the back
of the bolt shroud and break it.

My particular rifle would crater CCI450 primers so I had the bolt bushed and now it is
good.

The fact that Bergara is aware of the problem and apparently has done nothing to alert owners of the rifle or do a recall is the reason I decided to start this topic.

 

[heli_av8tor]

When starting this topic I incorrectly identified the rifle as a Bergana. It is a Bergara.
I've fixed the error where I could.
Sorry if this caused any confusion.

 

[whatsupdoc]

The fact that Bergara is aware of the problem and apparently has done nothing to alert owners of the rifle or do a recall is the reason I decided to start this topic.

I do understand that and agree but unless I am missing something the bolt shroud is not the cause of
the damage to that rifle.

 

[heli_av8tor]

Though not the root cause it apparently became the shrapnel causing the injuries.

 

[DGP4]

Here's a Bergara press release from May 2018

https://m.facebook.com/bergarariflesuk/posts/i-want-to-share-with-you-the-press-release-we-issued-on-facebook-concerning-the-/1921591091244615/

 

[heli_av8tor]

Here's a Bergara press release from May 2018

https://m.facebook.com/bergarariflesuk/posts/i-want-to-share-with-you-the-press-release-we-issued-on-facebook-concerning-the-/1921591091244615/

I'd not seen Bergara's press release. Thanks for sharing.
I'd read that they have always blamed the problem on hot reloads. This press release confirms that.
The shooter said that he was shooting factory ammo when I asked him. I have no way to verify this, but also no reason to doubt him.

 

[Tokay444]

Well maybe, but the barrel in 4th pic is marked 6.5.

I've had a 6 Creed barrel sent to me marked 6.5...

 

[0.1 Aggregate]

I've had a 6 Creed barrel sent to me marked 6.5...

If the shooter fired one round with the correct headstamp it’s doubtful that he fired the wrong ammo on the second try. If you look at the specs for the 6 CM and 6.5 CM you’ll see that it is impossible for a 6.5 CM to fit in a 6 CM chamber, the former’s neck is 0.02” too large.



.

 

[Tokay444]

If the shooter fired one round with the correct headstamp it’s doubtful that he fired the wrong ammo on the second try. If you look at the specs for the 6 CM and 6.5 CM you’ll see that it is impossible for a 6.5 CM to fit in a 6 CM chamber, the former’s neck is 0.02” too large.



.

I think you quoted the wrong person.

 

[Djfergus]

I didn't look into the mag well, so no photo.

An empty case believed to be from the first round was found on the bench. It had a Winchester headstamp in the correct caliber. I didn't notice any abnormalities but didn't specifically look for primer cratering. I wasn't aware of the history of problems with this model at the time.

Lots of things I wish I'd done or observed in hindsight. I was preoccupied with casualties, making the 911 call, coordinating with EMT and the Sheriff Deputy.

I've ran Winchester deer season ammo in three different 6.5 Creedmoor rifles. It was very hot for factory ammo. Significantly hot in one rifle. I have set that ammo aside with no intentions of using it.