Split 30-06 cases what's the cause likely to be?!

[Yorkie]

I am not a Gunsmith nor expert in any way shape or form but the way i see it is this.
If a Minimum spec cartridge working at maximum spec pressure is fired in a maximum spec chamber then all should still be ok with no dramas. This is why SAAMI and CIP have those specs, to keep us all safe.
A simple no go gauge will rule out any chamber issues, this leaves only the Cartridges to blame.
Am i oversimplifying things?

Yorkie.

 

[Uncle Norm]

Once you have consulted the ammunition retailer, if you wish to get the rifle checked out for chamber dimensions, headspace etc. the nearest person to you is Peter Frenette, who lives near St. Neots. Peter is no longer an RFD in his own right but has all the necessary equipment and is an expert rifle smith. Something like this would probably interest him enough to have a look at it for you.

If you decide to consult him. then send me a PM and I will give you his contact details.

As others have said, some of those primers are very flat. My experience of reloading is that flat primers mean too much pressure but there may well be other causes that I have not personally experienced.

 

[Brithunter]

I wonder how many would be so quick to condemn the rifle if it was say a Sako, Tikka or Remington?

​I expect many would be blaming the ammunition then ...................................... but it's an old BSA so the rifle must be at fault.

Sadly the only head space gauges I have are for 303 British and 280 Remington so are of no use to check this. However I am sure we can check it out and test it to find out if it is the brass or not.

 

[User00014]

Brit ,

when you mentioned that you could not re-load for stratts , could you not invite him over and let his use your equipment ?

i have a couple of friends who "borrow mine to load .270 and 243" !
​

 

[stratts]

He's already offered and it's been taken up matey but I aint touching no special tool!!!

 

[lister]

my money is faulty ammo
anyone with a 30-06 want to give it a go

 

[finnbear270]

Faulty ammunition can come from those regarded as the best, I had serious issues with lots of .223 from Lapua, with an independent witness, I know the donor of the rifle too, & my money is also on the consumables!

 

[Brithunter]

I DON'T know the rifles former owner or current owner. Although I am going to meet up with the current owner at some time it seems. We can go through it and check it as best we can using other cases and even try another load. Am currently trying to arrange a test shooting session.

Even though I have never met the former owner I have heard of his sterling reputation and so am fairly confident this is not a rifle issue.

 

[sikadog]

Kevin
I have posted Stratts 2 cases fired through this rifle one is a Winchester 3 times fired and the other a Remington once fired and probably the last case I fired through the BSA and it is as near perfect as a once fired case could be.

 

[stratts]

Thanks for everyones help and advice on this we'll get it sorted!

 

[Whitebeard]

Stratts you must rule out any headspace issues with your rifle first, before you condemn any ammo you are using.
Find a smith who will check the headspace for you or even buy a set of Go and No-Go gauges and check it yourself, its very simple.

Ian.

 

[Sharpie]

Stratts you must rule out any headspace issues with your rifle first, before you condemn any ammo you are using.
Find a smith who will check the headspace for you or even buy a set of Go and No-Go gauges and check it yourself, its very simple.

Ian.

+1

Cases don't let go at the case-head junction on first firing unless there is some fundamental problem.

Pressure or over-pressure matters not. Like I said, there are possible reasons why the primers may have backed out and flattened, no disrespect to the ammo.

Get it looked at by someone with the correct tools and gauges.

 

[sikadog]

Why do people keep insisting there is something wrong with the rifle, it was MY rifle and before I gave it away it shot perfectly, and unless between me dropping it off at the gunsmith and Stratts picking it up the chamber has expanded it has got to be the ammunition.

Do you no read all the posts before commenting if not put your brains in gear and read.

I have sent 2 fired cases to Stratts one which is probable the last case fired from this rifle its perfect, I still have 14 rounds left in the box it came out of, and I can tell you where it was fired.

So think before you post, I know you are only trying to help, but lets wait until there is some concrete proof before condemming the rifle and ME.

Anyone who knows me would know I would not sell or give anything away that was not in useable condition

 

[jcampbellsmith]

Stopping is the right thing to do. Take your rifle and ammunition to a professional and let them investigate the issue. Regards JCS

Nothing I have read in this post alters what I stated earlier. If you have any doubts over the safety of any firearm, seek out an acknowledged professional and get the firearm inspected and tested. Do not use it until it is deemed fit for purpose by a professional. Do not pay any attention to anonymous Internet posters.

Regards John Campbell-Smith

 

[Tom D]

While talking to Calum Ferguson at the Kelso show he had a 22-243 barrel on display that had been scrapped because of pressure problems, it was still shooting accurately. The bore scope showed it was excessively pitted and worn. It seems a worn bore induces much more friction on the bullet and therefore higher pressure, couple this with some "hot" ammo and maybe that was enough...

 

[sikadog]

I am not saying he should not get the rifle checked out but dont condem the rifle before it is checked

 

[sikadog]

John Cambell Smith
I am only anonymous to people who dont know me and there are a lot of people on here that know me. I would just prefer that some people on here dont.

 

[Sharpie]

I suggest measuring the case head expansion of the fired rounds and compare with that of the remaining unfired ones. Measure at the extractor groove and average them. If the rounds are severely over-pressure this might show as a significant expansion, of several 1/1000".

If you wanted to take a risk, measure an unfired round, then shoot it and measure again to get a precise measurement.

It is likely that these "superformance" loads are at the top of allowable pressure levels, and perhaps may be revealing problems which have not been discovered with more mainstream loads.

Some rifles do gradually wear even with modestly loaded ammo, I know of one Parker Hale .270 which eventually had to be scrapped due to excessive headspace which gradually developed, even though it was only ever used with downloaded ammo just meeting 1700 fpe.

I am not familiar with the rifle model, does it have a "strong" action design, or does it have e.g. rear locking lugs ?

The rifle has to be checked out. Until this is done there is little point in approaching the ammo supplier as the first thing they will need to know is whether the rifle was in good condition.

 

[stratts]

Righto chaps I appreciate everyones input but please if you're going to post, read through the thread 1st.

I have been fortunate to have been gifted a rifle in good faith and I have absolutely no reason to think there is anything wrong with it, but as has been stated a few times I WILL get it checked out and WILL be trying some different ammo after if it's ok and I'll post the findings.

I'm beginning to wish I'd never posted as I feel that Sikadog is being given a hard time for doing something really good for me!! Sorry about that matey!

Stratts

 

[finnbear270]

Stratts, don't fret, Keith's back is way too broad for anything on here to give him stress!