That didn't last long.

[TheOtherZilla]

Long story short. I have wanted a 22 Hornet for years. Finally last week I found a new one at the LGS for $600. A Ruger 77/22. Yes there were a few on here who told me to get a CZ, but the Ruger felt so nice, etc, and the price seemed right. Today less than 15 rounds down the tube and the bolt freezes up and won't open.. A google search reveals a slight problem with the safety.. Seems I now have to send my brand new rifle back in to the factory.. Of course the factory s closed and they have no e-mail.. I do believe have bought my first and last Ruger.. I have several CZ's and shoulda stuck with em.

On the bright side it did seem to be grouping ok so far, using Hornaday 35 gr factory fodder..

 

[pacificman]

Well I'm sure Ruger will make things right. I have bought a rifle or two that gave me fits trying to find a good load that would shoot in them. Part of the fun for me was the challenge to get them to shoot straight. I'll bet things will fall into place once you get it back from the factory.

 

[stacy]

I TOLD U, SHOULD GOT U A MODEL 40 SAVAGE AS I POSTED MY RUGERS BOTH OF THEM WERE JUNK!!!!!!!!!!!! PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I knew I was gonna get a few " I told you so's".

 

[jonbearman]

Its funny,I had one with no problems what so ever.

 

[VaniB]

I knew I was gonna get a few " I told you so's".

No, you got an I told u so.

 

[BigDMT]

Long story short. I have wanted a 22 Hornet for years. Finally last week I found a new one at the LGS for $600. A Ruger 77/22. Yes there were a few on here who told me to get a CZ, but the Ruger felt so nice, etc, and the price seemed right. Today less than 15 rounds down the tube and the bolt freezes up and won't open.. A google search reveals a slight problem with the safety.. Seems I now have to send my brand new rifle back in to the factory.. Of course the factory s closed and they have no e-mail.. I do believe have bought my first and last Ruger.. I have several CZ's and shoulda stuck with em.

On the bright side it did seem to be grouping ok so far, using Hornaday 35 gr factory fodder..

Usually that symptom is due to a hot load. Not uncommon for factory loads to overpressure, especially with weak 22 Hornet brass and possibly loaded with pistol primers. So I wouldnt be so quick to judge the rifle. Especially not Ruger in general.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I checked for pressure signs on the few that I fired. Not the issue. I did find a post on the interweb that stated there are a few cases of a spring in the safety mechanism that gets out of kilter and stops the bolt from opening. I am pretty sure this is what happened to mine..

 

[BigDMT]

I suppose a guy will have to get it open to tell what the problem is. Could be the safety spring. Bu just because the other rounds don't show pressure doesn't mean the one stuck in the chamber didn't overpressure. Good Luck.

 

[jonbearman]

How do you think a gunsmith or even ruger will open it up to see what happened.

 

[Dos XX]

I sent Ruger a 10+ year old .454 Casull that I bought second hand at a LGS. It was kind of rough. Had drag marks on the hammer, play in the cylinder, etc. They rebuilt the gun to perfect condition including new grips. The gun was gone less than 3 weeks including shipping time. They didn't charge me. Nada.

I bet they make it right.

 

[BigDMT]

How do you think a gunsmith or even ruger will open it up to see what happened.

If it is the safety, it would have to be taken out of the stock and have the trigger disassembled. Not too hard.

If it is a blown case in the chamber...Hammer time!

 

[KevinL]

I have 2 ruger 77/22 hornets 1 factory my wife shoots 1 rebarroled to a 20 akl hornet and I love them both. Dont give up on it. When repaired should shoot vary well. Ruger has a good rep for their product as far as I am concerned. Good luck Kevin

 

[TheOtherZilla]

Update fro any interested parties: I did get the case out finally, and found a crack in it. The crack is in the shoulder, maybe 5/8" running into a bout mid neck. Primer has a weird crater look to it. I examined the other cases I fired [10] and a few also had similarly cratered primers, and one was missing the primer completely..



I contacted both Ruger and Hornaday about this, but today is some kinda holiday.. We'll what they say about this..

 

[BigDMT]

Update fro any interested parties: I did get the case out finally, and found a crack in it. The crack is in the shoulder, maybe 5/8" running into a bout mid neck. Primer has a weird crater look to it. I examined the other cases I fired [10] and a few also had similarly cratered primers, and one was missing the primer completely..



I contacted both Ruger and Hornaday about this, but today is some kinda holiday.. We'll what they say about this..

Ahhhh! Like I was saying, weak hornet brass If Hornady ammo is what you were using, then they are the ones you need to talk to. Ruger can't compensate you for bad ammo.

The 22 Hornet is a very pressure sensitive round and I don't personally think major manufacturers have any business loading ammo for because their quality control is not tight enough.

The primer problems you are seeing are probably due to the fact that they used Small Pistol primers in the ammo. That's ok if pressures are not pushed very hard. But when hand loading for the 22 Hornet;
As pressures step up in the 22 Hornet, it will require a Small Pistol Magnum primer, and when higher yet, a Small Rifle primer. If you get the point where you NEED a Small Rifle primer, well then your brass is not going to last very long at all or will crack within a firing or two.

So my guess is that Hornady had it's pressure too high and using a Small Pistol primer.

 

[NateHaler]

How do you think a gunsmith or even ruger will open it up to see what happened.

If it is a blown case in the chamber...Hammer time!

Even though that's not an ideal situation, it's almost worth it to see the gunsmith wearing parachute pants -- which is traditional during this procedure.

 

[BigDMT]

LOL ;D

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I have some other ammo on the way. Federal 30 grain TNT I believe. I'll try a few and see if I get the same result or? As I stated I have sent messages to both Ruger and Hornaday. I'll be callin tomorrow since they should be off holiday.