A couple months ago I was pretty much given a Savage 10 youth model .243. I gave it to my my girlfreind for her first rifle. Last Friday I mounted a new scope and Saturday we hit the range to get it dialed in. I zeroed it using Factory ammo.
After it was zeroed we started putting some of my hand loads for my Model 70 through it. It loved the 95 gr, Nos BT's in front of 40 grains of H414. They grouped decent enough, about 3/4" at 100 yards. I then tried some 85 gr. Sierra Game Kings pushed by 44 grains of H414. These loads shoot great in my Model 70. Well, The Savage couldn't handle them. After I sot the first one the bolt was a little sticky. I assumed it was sticky because I just neck sized the brass after firing them through the Model 70. I didnt look at the brass after I shot it. I put in another round and touched it off. The bolt was sticky again. This time I looked at the brass, No primer! And there was the ejector mark on the brass. Oops!
No damage to the rifle except for a broken ejector. The rifle is going to a smith to have the ejector repaired and the head space checked.
Lessons learned? Yes. Never assume what works in one rifle will work in another. And if something doesnt seem right, Stop. And check everything over to see if there is a problem.
I know most of you guys are long time reloaders and know all this stuff already. Hopefully a newbie (like me) will read this and learn from my mistakes.
Pics of brass, You can clearly see the ejector marks and blown out primers.
Be safe!
After it was zeroed we started putting some of my hand loads for my Model 70 through it. It loved the 95 gr, Nos BT's in front of 40 grains of H414. They grouped decent enough, about 3/4" at 100 yards. I then tried some 85 gr. Sierra Game Kings pushed by 44 grains of H414. These loads shoot great in my Model 70. Well, The Savage couldn't handle them. After I sot the first one the bolt was a little sticky. I assumed it was sticky because I just neck sized the brass after firing them through the Model 70. I didnt look at the brass after I shot it. I put in another round and touched it off. The bolt was sticky again. This time I looked at the brass, No primer! And there was the ejector mark on the brass. Oops!
No damage to the rifle except for a broken ejector. The rifle is going to a smith to have the ejector repaired and the head space checked.
Lessons learned? Yes. Never assume what works in one rifle will work in another. And if something doesnt seem right, Stop. And check everything over to see if there is a problem.
I know most of you guys are long time reloaders and know all this stuff already. Hopefully a newbie (like me) will read this and learn from my mistakes.
Pics of brass, You can clearly see the ejector marks and blown out primers.
Be safe!
