Firearms Section

[Mr_Draco]

Originally Posted by Mr Twisty

Yeah something caused that round to bind the bolt closed. I mic'd other rounds from that batch, they're in spec but tight in the chamber.

During firing, it was like a magic trick, the bullet just disappeared! Checked for squib, nope, barrel clear.

After firing, the bolt is bound up. I've never had an excessive pressure problem before, but some say that's a sign. BUT, the primer appeared normal and the brass wasn't distorted.

.... I dunno

Primers are unreliable when it comes to signs of high pressure. Just because it doesn't show anything doesn't mean you wasn't over pressure. The bolt sticking normally is a sign but other things can cause it. If the brass wasn't resized properly and fits tight like you said, the normal expansion of the casing will cause the bolt to stick. If the guy didn't clean the lube off the brass, the heat from firing can also cause the casing to gum up and cause the bolt to stick.

Combined with the sweet smell of old gun powder and the lack of resizing, I would not shoot any more of these reloads. I would pull them and redo them myself or take them to someone else.

Buying reloads is always risky. A couple years ago we bought 200 rounds of reloaded 9mm from a local gun store for the brass because 200 rounds reloaded was the same price as 200 rounds of brass. Over half of them wasn't resized and wouldn't chamber, a dozen or so of what did, was hot. The only good thing that came out of the ordeal was after complaining to the owner and showing him, he reimbursed us the cost of the rounds that wouldn't chamber and allowed us to keep the rounds for us to use in our reloads.

[Mr Twisty]

Originally Posted by Mr_Draco

Primers are unreliable when it comes to signs of high pressure. Just because it doesn't show anything doesn't mean you wasn't over pressure. The bolt sticking normally is a sign but other things can cause it. If the brass wasn't resized properly and fits tight like you said, the normal expansion of the casing will cause the bolt to stick. If the guy didn't clean the lube off the brass, the heat from firing can also cause the casing to gum up and cause the bolt to stick.

Combined with the sweet smell of old gun powder and the lack of resizing, I would not shoot any more of these reloads. I would pull them and redo them myself or take them to someone else.

Buying reloads is always risky. A couple years ago we bought 200 rounds of reloaded 9mm from a local gun store for the brass because 200 rounds reloaded was the same price as 200 rounds of brass. Over half of them wasn't resized and wouldn't chamber, a dozen or so of what did, was hot. The only good thing that came out of the ordeal was after complaining to the owner and showing him, he reimbursed us the cost of the rounds that wouldn't chamber and allowed us to keep the rounds for us to use in our reloads.

These were cheap enough that I can justify the cost just for the AP projectiles and the brass.... but still... I learned my lesson on OPR (other peoples reloads)

Next weekend I'll probably get it out and warm it up with the new LC stuff, make sure it's 100% but I'm not too worried, the bolt is built like a tank! The barrel and the rest of the rifle is pretty solid too @ 32 pounds. It's time to make shooting fun again!

I'll probably burn through some of my older pistol reloads as well, gotta keep those rounds fresh!

[Frank237]

Mr_Draco is 100% correct...primers are a very poor indicator of pressure. Sticky bolt lift certainly IS. Used to shoot LR rifle with a guy who routinely placed a rubber mallet on his shooting pad. To say his .338 Lapua loads were on the "edge of safety" was an understatement. He'd fire, then try the bolt...then tap or eventually POUND on it to get it open. NO ONE shot within 20 feet of him.

I could go on and on with stories regarding other peoples reloads...unless You REALLY trust the guy...DON'T buy them

Speaking of fifty ammo....Had I EVER thought we would have quality, affordable rifles in .50 BMG back when I was in the Natl Guard....I could have been set on GI ammo for life. I saw so much belted ammo left on hilltops, buried or even dropped into a lake near our Range. Thousands of fifty rds at times. A guy could have had all he wanted. All they wanted back where the cans.

FN in MT

[FenwickHockey65]

Thinking range day tomorrow. 100 rounds of .45 GAP practice ammo for firearms qualification next Saturday.

[Yippee38]

I am hoping to make a range day of either Tuesday or Wednesday. Got a new toy yesterday. Very

[Tenring]

Yippee!

Nice rifle, congrats.

[Yippee38]

Originally Posted by Tenring

Yippee!

Nice rifle, congrats.

I got the Special Field grade. It's got a very small amount of pitting. All-in-all, it's a freaking gorgeous rifle with a new Criterion barrel. It will outlast me, that's for sure.

[Mr Twisty]

Originally Posted by Frank237

Mr_Draco is 100% correct...primers are a very poor indicator of pressure. Sticky bolt lift certainly IS. Used to shoot LR rifle with a guy who routinely placed a rubber mallet on his shooting pad. To say his .338 Lapua loads were on the "edge of safety" was an understatement. He'd fire, then try the bolt...then tap or eventually POUND on it to get it open. NO ONE shot within 20 feet of him.

I could go on and on with stories regarding other peoples reloads...unless You REALLY trust the guy...DON'T buy them

Speaking of fifty ammo....Had I EVER thought we would have quality, affordable rifles in .50 BMG back when I was in the Natl Guard....I could have been set on GI ammo for life. I saw so much belted ammo left on hilltops, buried or even dropped into a lake near our Range. Thousands of fifty rds at times. A guy could have had all he wanted. All they wanted back where the cans.

FN in MT

Early variants of the Noreen were shipped with dead blow hammers

I was raised on ft sills doorstep. EOD crews got good experience cleaning up messes left by adventurous children. What kind of stupid kid goes treasure hunting on a bomb range? Yeah I don't doubt the abandoned ammo one bit. What a waste.

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Thinking range day tomorrow. 100 rounds of .45 GAP practice ammo for firearms qualification next Saturday.

Shoot the gun out of his hand. (From a conversation with tagurit)
We still firmly believe in "two in the chest one in the cpu"

Originally Posted by Yippee38

I am hoping to make a range day of either Tuesday or Wednesday. Got a new toy yesterday. Very

Beautiful rifle! Range photos and vids are always nice to see

[Mr Twisty]

An invention made from necessity, that shouldn't be necessary. Looks like a great speedloader for our California friends

[bpang1234]

Originally Posted by Mr Twisty

An invention made from necessity, that shouldn't be necessary. Looks like a great speedloader for our California friends

Oh gross, something to consider if I were to ever move to CA...

[Mr Twisty]

Originally Posted by bpang1234

Oh gross, something to consider if I were to ever move to CA...

If you ever find me living in Ca... it's because the job pays $200k + a year. The people (most) are awesome, the gub'ment... skewed.

[ZED SLED]

Originally Posted by bpang1234

Oh gross, something to consider if I were to ever move to CA...

Unfortunately same crock of $*#@ here in NY. Fixed 10 rd mag. I'd buy a few but not at $40 a pop. I found the better alternative to be a drill bit and a $6.29 Stoner eject button kit.

[Mr Twisty]

Originally Posted by ZED SLED

Unfortunately same crock of $*#@ here in NY. Fixed 10 rd mag. I'd buy a few but not at $40 a pop. I found the better alternative to be a drill bit and a $6.29 Stoner eject button kit.

I guess it's fortunate that I have no idea what the Stoner eject button kit is....

It's too windy to pull out the rifles here. Gusts to 50mph, that's no fun. I did burn thru some 9mm ammo, practicing some Jerry Miculeck and Rob Leatham stuff from vids... Wouldn't it be nice to get free supplies and shoot all day... those guys are good!

[FenwickHockey65]

Firearms qualification tomorrow. All day at OPD's very nice indoor range.