RPR BOLT BLOWN OUT

[Dusty Stevens]

Ive shot brass so old the primers fall out and you cant even size it without cracking the necks. Never has old brass destroyed an action

 

[Rocketvapor]

What went first? The brass or the front of the weak lug?
Was this the first indication of something wrong or did fatigue take out the lug and allow the brass to flow?

 

[DaveTooley]

What went first? The brass or the front of the weak lug?
Was this the first indication of something wrong or did fatigue take out the lug and allow the brass to flow?

The lug wasn't damaged. The extractor and the lips that hold it in place were pulled off. I've done that once myself.

 

[tobnpr]

The question really isn't if it was over pressure, but what caused the high pressure.

Actually, it is a question of overpressure now- as the OP just let us know he had another piece of this brass almost separate after the 1st reload. See post #37.

If that's the case- it's defective brass, not an obstruction, not some sort of one-time overcharge, etc.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Actually, it is a question of overpressure now- as the OP just let us know he had another piece of this brass almost separate after the 1st reload. See post #37.

If that's the case- it's defective brass, not an obstruction, not some sort of one-time overcharge, etc.

Wonder if it was overloaded on the first reload? Brass doesnt melt and flow just because it may be a bad case. Usually the neck or base liberates itself on a bad case

 

[DaveTooley]

Case head separations and case head ruptures are completely different. Separation is survivable. Case head ruptures not so much.

 

[Pres100]

Actually, it is a question of overpressure now- as the OP just let us know he had another piece of this brass almost separate after the 1st reload. See post #37.

If that's the case- it's defective brass, not an obstruction, not some sort of one-time overcharge, etc.

I think you might have misunderstood what I was trying to say ( or I didn't say it very well). We know it was too much pressure that deformed the brass, therefore the question isn't whether it was over pressured ... it's a fact. The real question is what caused the overpressure to occur... semantics, I suppose.

How would defective brass cause it to rupture like it did?

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Primer was intact. A little flattened and no piercing. I’m suspecting a failed case head. I had another piece of brass almost separate after the second firing.

Can you please elaborate on how you knew that it "almost" separated? A pic of that case may help, too.

 

[tobnpr]

Section one of the Starline brass cases.

 

[Mike99-123]

Can you please elaborate on how you knew that it "almost" separated? A pic of that case may help, too.

Can you please elaborate on how you knew that it "almost" separated? A pic of that case may help, too.

Yea, disregard my comment. Went to take a pic and it was a piece of 223 Lapua brass that has a ring around it about 1/2” above the head.

 

[SBLH10]

I have seen brass flow from over annealing. 219 zipper fire forming to Ackley Improve. He annealed the brass tipped them over in water (the old way) then put it in a oven too dry out the cases and forgot them they got way to hot. This was over thirty years ago. (No IT WAS NOT ME)
Chet

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I have seen brass flow from over annealing. 219 zipper fire forming to Ackley Improve. He annealed the brass tipped them over in water (the old way) then put it in a oven too dry out the cases and forgot them they got way to hot. This was over thirty years ago. (No IT WAS NOT ME)
Chet

Id bet something else went on. I wouldnt think brass would anneal at the temp an oven can get. I usually dry mine at 150 or so- maybe he was in a hurry!

 

[whatsupdoc]

Id bet something else went on. I wouldnt think brass would anneal at the temp an oven can get. I usually dry mine at 150 or so- maybe he was in a hurry!

No way are you annealing brass in a home oven.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

No way are you annealing brass in a home oven.

No but i dry them in a toaster oven.

 

[Fast14riot]

Initially I was thinking maybe lube on the case or in chamber, but that pic of the brass flowing into the extractor cut means over pressure, not increased bolt thrust. I wonder if maybe a short charge was the cause.

 

[boltfluter]

My vote is a defective piece of brass. Things get ugly fast when the ass end let's go. Just my .02.

Paul

 

[Sniper338]

Without more pictures and more info its hard to monday morning quarterback it all and go down a right path. Everyones stated a multitude of factors that could have been an issue. Or a combination of issues.

 

[whatsupdoc]

What happened here is simple, overpressure.
Pressure caused the brass to flow and fail at its unsupported section, the extractor cut on the bolt.
This is where you would expect the brass to flow.

What caused the overpressure is another story.

 

[Greg Y]

I've pierced primers and separated case heads myself. I've stuck bolts so tight I was lucky to even budge them.

I started with Lee loaders and powder scoops back in the 80's....luckily I lived through those and can share those experiences.

There's no shame in saying it was over pressure. Could be detonation from a light charge. I've had my ac duct blow on my scale and nearly blow my face off. I've had multiple powders on the bench, bumped the scale.....I've screwed up dang close to every way possible over the years.

Ripping case heads off is either a one in a million.....or over pressure. Destroying hard parts is the same.....but take it out a few more zeros.

I'd pull some bullets and see what was up. There have been powder recalls in the past....I'd look.

If you find nothing, assume human error and look for holes in your program. This is an expensive learning lesson from the outside, but there's lost of guys who were not so lucky.

Congratulations you won.