Savage Impulse Jammed

[Danny8July]

Brand new; never fired.
Went to shooting range today with my newly purchased rifle (Savage Impulse, 6.5 Creedmoor). Loaded the magazine and chambered 1 cartridge (Hornady 140gr, BTHP). The bolt would not close all the way (will attempted to atch photos). I was finally able clear it (did not shoot it). Looking at the the shell casing it has a big gouge in it, with a curled-up 'tang'. So, I tried a 2nd...and a 3rd.... each one the bolt would not close fully and the shells were difficult to extract. Lastly, I switched bullets (another Hornday 95 gr V-Max). For that one, I managed to get the bolt closed and locked (a bit more force than should be needed). I did fire that round-----but now the bolt won't open. I tried to force it (hard) but still the bolt is seized. Since the gun is brand new (and registered with Savage) I called them. They were kind/polite, and gave me free FEDEX shipping return label.
NOTE: I followed Savage's instructions and cleaned the gun first (thought that was odd instructions, but to my surprise, the barrel did have shot-residue in it). I used a 'vinyl-coated' snake and plastic tip and cleaning kit pads. Took 10-15 pads (one-pull, extracting) before the pads came out with no noticeable residue. After cleaning I examined the barrel (by sunlight) and didn't notice any nicks or tags...just a clean shiny barrel.

Dropped the rifle at FEDEX...but just wondering if anyone has ideas what could've cause the NEW rifle to do that?

Dan; USAF, Ret'd

 

[Gargoyle]

I imagine there is a protrusion (burr) of metal in the chamber that is gouging the cases. F'N Savage quality control.

 

[itchyTF]

That’s where a borescope would be helpful.

 

[Danny8July]

I imagine there is a protrusion (burr) of metal in the chamber that is gouging the cases. F'N Savage quality control.

Burr!!! ... that's the word I was trying to think of (tag, tang, nick, ....etc)

 

[Adam in WI]

I see 3 signs telling you not to continue trying to use the rifle...

Actually, if you'd have been able to look into the chamber and see the defect you could've very likely been able to file and polish it out. Quite possibly all Savage is going to do with it.

 

[Gargoyle]

I see 3 signs telling you not to continue trying to use the rifle...

Actually, if you'd have been able to look into the chamber and see the defect you could've very likely been able to file and polish it out. Quite possibly all Savage is going to do with it.

Yup, I would have used a rubber mallet to get the bolt open, bore scoped the chamber, or sharpie on an empty case to identify on the clock position where the burr was, and gone from there. Getting something down into the chamber to remove burr would be a PITA. Let Savage deal with it.

 

[DLT]

As big as that is I can assure you that it would be easy seen.

 

[Danny8July]

All--appreciate your comments. My intend here was to tee-up the issue and solicit your thoughts about it. I also wanted to codify this issue in writing in case some poor soul in the future experiences something similar.
As mentioned, I have returned this to Savage for their gunsmiths to examine and repair; for now, I am confident they'll fix it.
Regarding bore scoping, true that would likely have provided an upclose view of the "burr" or flaw. True also, if i had a bore-file and a special smoothing tool, I might've attempted to fix it myself.
Oddly enough, I do own a rubber mallet and several sharpies in the drawer-- didn't think of that, but I'll retain that idea for possible future applications-- and some poor soul in the future may find it a useful idea.
I wonder what the odds are that Savage will tell me what they discovered and fixed...
Much appreciated y'all!!

 

[Hoot]

Makes you wonder how in the heck they managed to shoot one or more test rounds through it before sending it on to the next step in the process.

Hoot

 

[AlNyhus]

You did the right thing by returning it in as-is condition.

 

[justinp61]

Did you single feed it without using the magazine? One of my Savage magazines had sharp rolled edges that scarred the brass, not as bad as the OP's though.

 

[Danny8July]

Did you single feed it without using the magazine? One of my Savage magazines had sharp rolled edges that scarred the brass, not as bad as the OP's though.

I put 7 or 8 rds into the mag, then inserted the mag. Fed the rds from the mag. When I sent the rifle back to Savage, I included the mag with the rifle.

 

[Gargoyle]

I put 7 or 8 rds into the mag, then inserted the mag. Fed the rds from the mag. When I sent the rifle back to Savage, I included the mag with the rifle.

I would think if something was obstructing the case to that degree of damage you would have noticed it prior to the round entry into the chamber.

 

[Gargoyle]

I wonder what the odds are that Savage will tell me what they discovered and fixed...

Probably come back with a note saying they fixed the sling swivel...I have zero faith, trust, confidence in Savage customer service and "gunsmiths".

 

[Dgd6mm]

I wonder how that past the test fire test. It could be a mag issue. Please report back on your findings.

 

[Danny8July]

For what it's worth... I purchased the rifle online via Smokey Mountains Guns and Ammo (smga.com). ... they had the lowest price I could find ($933.). +tax was total $1011. Free shipping. Their processing/shipping time took 2wks.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I've owned about 30 Savage rifles, never had an issue with any of them. I have changed a lot of barrels, boltheads and other parts. I know I'll never own a push bolt or whatever they call it, it's just not in my preference. I'm sure Savage will take care of you.

 

[Bill K]

Now the wait for your answer from Savage on what they found as too what caused this issue. Please keep us advised. I am sure Savage to tell you and make it right, with this new rifle line being sold.

 

[Danny8July]

Sorry, I'm find to be offline for a bit... Doing breakfast with bride (..married 1980)... cooked up some S.O.S. with ground venison 'n scrambled eggs 'n biscuits. (Venison taken last week). Sorry, didn't make not enough to share...

 

[justinp61]

Probably come back with a note saying they fixed the sling swivel...I have zero faith, trust, confidence in Savage customer service and "gunsmiths".

I have no complaints with their customer service. They replaced a magazine that had feeding issues and replaced a barrel on a gun that was well over a year out of warranty.