RPR BOLT BLOWN OUT

[Mike99-123]

Is there any economical way to save a RPR with a damaged bolt lug?

Ruger will repair but would have to replace any aftermarket parts with factory parts at the cost of a new gun almost. They won’t sell me a bolt but I’m wondering if a gunsmith would be able to get a bolt from them.

My thoughts now are to tear down the rifle, sell the serviceable parts, and mutilate the receiver.

Any other options??? Thanks!

 

[rijndael]

I'd probably reach out to LRI. They do a lot of RPR parts and have done bolts for other guns.

 

[whatsupdoc]

Curious how did that happen? Case got stuck and you tried to bang the bolt open?

Another thing is why not just put the oem parts back and send it in?

 

[46and2]

Curious how did that happen? Case got stuck and you tried to bang the bolt open?

+1
Things like this should be told so others learn from it.

 

[CA_Shooter]

Curious how did that happen? Case got stuck and you tried to bang the bolt open?

Another thing is why not just put the oem parts back and send it in?

+1
Things like this should be told so others learn from it.

+2 I have a RPR and don't want to break it

 

[Mike99-123]

I'd probably reach out to LRI. They do a lot of RPR parts and have done bolts for other guns.

Thanks! I’ll call them tomorrow.

 

[Mike99-123]

Curious how did that happen? Case got stuck and you tried to bang the bolt open?

Another thing is why not just put the oem parts back and send it in?

Cause is unknown. 40.2 grains of H4350 under a 147 grain ELD-M. Shots were stout but not scary stout. Temp 45 degrees.

1st generation RPR. Factory barrel, stock, and handguard were sold off long time ago.

 

[Mike99-123]

+1
Things like this should be told so others learn from it.

Wish I had more details but I think that the bolt was flawed somehow. No evidence of an over charge, primer was flattened but intact and not punctured. I pulled the remaining bullets and weighed the charges and all weighed at 40.2. Whole rifle had maybe 600 rounds through it.

 

[Mike99-123]

I'd probably reach out to LRI. They do a lot of RPR parts and have done bolts for other guns.

Thanks!

 

[46and2]

There may not be evidence of overcharge but there sure the hell is evidence of overpressure.
The brass flowed under the extractor.

Was this Hornady brass? How many firings on the brass?

 

[Pres100]

I had something very similar happen last week but with a 300 BLK.... but no bolt damage. Case looked very similar. Over charge was the only thing that came to my mind, but no way to double charge it because the case is almost at full capacity.

My case was still stuck in by bolt and the brass formed around the extractor (which was also undamaged). I had to stick a pair of needle nose pliers in the case to remove it.

 

[tobnpr]

Don't own an RPR...
But that sure looks to me like the casehead blew out and took the extractor with it.
The rim at the bolthead is just designed to encircle the casehead- it's not capable of containing any pressures and the usual clearance from the casehead would prevent it from doing so anyway- the brass would blow out before that could happen.

Faulty brass (how many reloads?) or overpressure. Has nothing to do with the bolt itself that I can see. The case blew first- and took out the extractor.

 

[Mike99-123]

There may not be evidence of overcharge but there sure the hell is evidence of overpressure.
The brass flowed under the extractor.

Was this Hornady brass? How many firings on the brass?

Starline brass with 4 firings.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Thats severe overpressure like a bore obstruction or a bridged charge in your powder measure. You may not feel like it was hot but most guns dont even survive an explosion like that. Consider yourself lucky to not be injured on this one- when brass melts into the extractor like that it was trying to get out

 

[msilbernagel]

I'd concur re: over-pressure. See how the brass flowed into the ejector - about 2:30-3:00 on the base?

If you had a stout load and the bullet got seated a little farther out and touched the lands.. might account for the pressure spike.

Glad you're OK!

 

[Walt Schmidlin]

Was this the 1st time you used the 147 ELD-Ms? Had a pressure issue when I changed from 142 SMKs to a longer 140gr bullet. Needed increase the freebore (throated it)and all was good.

 

[rijndael]

If you had a stout load and the bullet got seated a little farther out and touched the lands.. might account for the pressure spike.

Or, if it had insufficient neck tension and was loaded from a mag.

 

[Mike99-123]

Was this the 1st time you used the 147 ELD-Ms? Had a pressure issue when I changed from 142 SMKs to a longer 140gr bullet. Needed increase the freebore (throated it)and all was good.

Got about 75 rounds of 147/ELDM bullets through it, but what you’re saying makes sense. These were loaded to 2.800” with no indications of a compressed load. I had my LabRadar all hooked up but forgot to arm it before I took the shot. MV would’ve answered a lot of questions.

 

[DaveTooley]

Here's a way to save some headaches. "Do no harm" is paramount here.
First put the hammer down for awhile and engage your brain.
The problem is too much bolt thrust which increases friction and probably brass flow into and under any unsupported area. First you have to reduce the bolt thrust.
First find two blocks of wood.
Now's the time to get your hammer.
Place the muzzle on one wood block on a solid surface.
Take the other block and place it on the back of the bolt shroud.
Knock the every living crap out of it a few times. I mean hard. This pushed the fired case ever so slightly into the chamber thus relieving bolt thrust. If you can't move the handle with just hand pressure repeat the process.
Put the hammer down.
Now you can go to the bolt handle and try to raise it. If it moves stop when it makes contact with extraction cam surfaces.
Insert a cleaning rod sans jag from the muzzle. While applying pressure with the bolt handle and at the same time tap on the cleaning rod which is bottomed out on the case head. This works the majority of the time without doing further damage. Beating on the bolt handle just breaks Sh_t.
YMMV

 

[DaveTooley]

Cause is unknown. 40.2 grains of H4350 under a 147 grain ELD-M. Shots were stout but not scary stout. Temp 45 degrees.

1st generation RPR. Factory barrel, stock, and handguard were sold off long time ago.

The bolt wasn't flawed. Just too much pressure. I'd say upwards of 80-90K PSI