Lapua Once Fired Cracks

[Old Navy]

i must say, this is one of the more interesting threads that I've seen around here recently. Makes me wonder how those other 3-shot groups managed to escape unfazed. Not to get off into the weeds but I'm curious how the three groups performed? IE, was the 4350 group a lot different than it's predecessors? Inquiring minds want to know...

Hoot

The first two with 4831 were both low .7". The 4350 went into .356". I was happy with the last because the wind was gusting 5 to 7 on a 45 degree. All nine cases are cracked Hoot. I know what powder I am starting with when the new barrel gets here.

 

[Old Navy]

I found a loaded round today that I had for the barrel when I was shooting it before. I pulled the bullet and found it had been reloaded at least one. It was a 142 SMK over 51.4 grains of H4832SC. No mark what so ever. I know my house has at least one ghost living here. Maybe she is messing with me. Is it possible that my new lot of brass has not been properly annealed? It looked the same as as my new 6BR and 6 CM. My new Redding sizer has not arrived yet. I want to see what that neck looks like after resizing.

 

[rijndael]

Is it possible that my new lot of brass has not been properly annealed?

Wouldn't properly annealed brass be more prone to fully conforming to the chamber's neck, and imprinting the line, than a harder neck?

 

[Evan]

Just a WAG: has a uni-throater been used poorly to extend the freebore on this barrel at some point? I could imagine how badly fit or damaged bushings could potentially cut a neck like that.

 

[Old Navy]

Wouldn't properly annealed brass be more prone to fully conforming to the chamber's neck, and imprinting the line, than a harder neck?

New brass should be softer and would conform to the chamber is what I am thinking.

 

[Bill K]

That is interesting that you never saw this before, with firing 300 rounds prior to firing this time and with Lapua brass. That cast sure does not look good. Never saw a neck look like that in a chamber reaming,
If it is not too late, with the time period, I sure would see if the maker of your barrel would replace it.

 

[Old Navy]

I kept getting flyers when I had it on the first time. Someone here recommended sending it back to Savage. Contacted Savage to get return info. Pulled the barrel and sent it to them. A moth later I got it back with a letter explaining the throat was to long ( not ). Told me if I sent the complete gun to them they would replace the barrel. I decided to cut my losses. I ordered a 6.5X47L from Northland and never looked back until a week ago. I am a slow learner. The 6.5X47 is on another Model 12 Benchrest and shooting great.

 

[Dave in WI]

So that was a factory Savage barrel that you sent in and they returned looking like that?

 

[Stan Taylor]

I can tell you exactly what’s wrong with it two different chamber Reamers stuck in it been set back about a couple hundred thousand another words two different size necks on reamer.

 

[HandgunHTR]

I can tell you exactly what’s wrong with it two different chamber Reamers stuck in it been set back about a couple hundred thousand another words two different size necks on reamer.

Based on what the OP posted above about Savage saying the throat was too long, I bet you are exactly right. They "fixed" it and sent it back.

 

[SeabeeKen]

The freebore on the chamber cast looks long to me but maybe its just my old eyes. Ive had 1 bad barrel from Savage. A 223 that coppered out in 2 rounds. Looked as if the button chattered the full length of the barrel. A 22" washboard look. It sat in my safe for years before I shot it so I didnt even bother to try and send it back.

 

[Deleted Dewey]

I made two chamber cast this morning. The cast shows a .007 to .0075" sharp step down. I let it cool an hour and got .3045" at the bottom and .2975" at the top. These are + - .0005" of course. I still can't believe I put 300 + rounds through this barrel the first time and never saw this. I have always cleaned my brass after every firing just to catch little problems before they turn into big problems. I did check some of the things you guys mentioned. Thanks for all the help. James at Northland Shooters is shipping me a new barrel today.

You've got a step in the neck AND the shoulder, about a third of the way down from the neck juncture.

 

[timeout]

I kept getting flyers when I had it on the first time. Someone here recommended sending it back to Savage. Contacted Savage to get return info. Pulled the barrel and sent it to them. A moth later I got it back with a letter explaining the throat was to long ( not ). Told me if I sent the complete gun to them they would replace the barrel. I decided to cut my losses. I ordered a 6.5X47L from Northland and never looked back until a week ago. I am a slow learner. The 6.5X47 is on another Model 12 Benchrest and shooting great.

Glad you figured it out. The only thing that made any sense to me is that you picked the barrel up from someone years ago and forgot who, when, and where. That is something that would happen to me. I couldn't imagine that you had fired it before and never noticed that.

 

[Old Navy]

You've got a step in the neck AND the shoulder, about a third of the way down from the neck juncture.

Dewey, you have excellent eyesight and I take great photos. I had to get my magnifier out to see that one. There are also raised faint vertical lines all the way around the shoulder. I am an old retired Millwright but I am going to guess the reamer was chattering when he cut the chamber.

 

[Stan Taylor]

It frigging mesmerizing how even the OP didn’t pay a bit of attention to my post an you guy’s are gunsmiths I’m done here.

 

[Old Navy]

The freebore on the chamber cast looks long to me but maybe its just my old eyes. Ive had 1 bad barrel from Savage. A 223 that coppered out in 2 rounds. Looked as if the button chattered the full length of the barrel. A 22" washboard look. It sat in my safe for years before I shot it so I didnt even bother to try and send it back.

It does have a long free bore. The heal of the 142 SMK is about the middle of the neck to just kiss the lands. I hope the new barrel is the same way. I started this project to be able to shoot the heavier bullets out to a mile and stay supersonic.

 

[SKWERLZ]

I didn’t even notice the bodies looks wonky as well

 

[Old Navy]

It frigging mesmerizing how even the OP didn’t pay a bit of attention to my post an you guy’s are gunsmiths I’m done here.

I am sorry Stan. I did not see your first post or get notified that you had posted. I was hopping someone that hung out in the gunsmith forum would post here. I have been on and off this site all day mostly off. I never ever ignore one of your post even when I am not interested in the topic.

 

[pdog2225]

I have a savage barrel that has the same identical mark. It was a .243 for several hundred rounds and then I had a 6mm ackley reamer ran into it. The front part is smaller in diameter than the rear. Its just the difference in length of the two reamers. I think it helps to keep the bullet centered in the chamber as this thing is a hammer.

 

[Stan Taylor]

I am sorry Stan. I did not see your first post or get notified that you had posted. I was hopping someone that hung out in the gunsmith forum would post here. I have been on and off this site all day mostly off. I never ever ignore one of your post even when I am not interested in the topic.

Here’s what happens when a different reamer is used primary reamer was 30/06 second plunge was a 280 Remington look at the results.