Well, this was a first for me!

[cwtebay]

Took my sons out shooting today. Had finished with some new loads for the oldest's 300WSM and started on my 11 years old's Model 7 243. He wanted to try some new Hornady factory shells that he'd bought - 95 grain SST. The first 2 were dead on, the third was also - but sounded odd and my boy said that recoil was "different". Neither of us could prise the bolt open, so we went home. A healthy dose of CLP and a dead blow hammer got it open. The brass was beyond expanded into the bolt face. I placed a dowel and got it wiggling and got it out. I definitely would love to know what the heck happened here!!! Any and all suggestions are welcome!!

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[Walks]

Wow, was it a .243 cartridge before it went into the chamber.

Where did it print on the paper ?

Bought a box of .270Win once, had a .280Rem in it.

[cwtebay]

It's definitely a 243 Win (I can make out the headstamp under harsh light mostly). It was 3" high at 300 yards compared to the previous shots.

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[Bazoo]

Looks like the primer blew to me.

[Texas by God]

Call Hornady and report it. Send the rest of that box back to them. Check the bolt face for damage.

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[dverna]

Call Hornady and report it. Send the rest of that box back to them. Check the bolt face for damage.

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Excellent advice.

[largom]

Call Hornady and report it. Send the rest of that box back to them. Check the bolt face for damage.

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Check locking lugs, recoil lug and headspace as well as bolt face before shooting gun again. Hornady might owe you a new gun.

[pietro]

.

+4 - Send the entire box back to Hornady, including the damaged brass.

It looks like a factory overload or wrong powder to me.

I'm glad that nobody was hurt, just startled.

.

[Petrol & Powder]

I agree with all of the others.

Send that box, with the spent casings back to Horandy.

[rockrat]

Take plenty of pics before you send it back. Might be headstamped 243, but I wonder if a 6.5 bullet made its way into the 243 production line? Don't know if it would even fit though

[Tokarev]

I see lots of melted but unburnt powder around the primer hole. Was that a detonation instead of burning? I would stay away from the entire lot of that ammo.

[cwtebay]

All good points! I had already fired off an email to Hornady when I got home last night, and taken a few dozen pictures of the brass, bolt, box, other 2 fired shells, etc. I just always appreciate how everyone here puts in things that I seem to overlook or forget. I'll keep you posted as to the outcome! But I do have a very sad 11 year old because his rifle is off limits for the time being.

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[Texas by God]

Does the bolt face have flame cuts around the firing pin hole? I have two rifles that got that way from primers leaking out the side of the pocket. From loose pockets from hot loads( ah, youth.)

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[dverna]

Highly unlikely it was caused by the wrong powder in one case or a stray 6.5 mm bullet.

Where did you buy the ammunition? How was it controlled in the store?. One cartridge in the box makes me lean to deliberate sabotage.

Glad no one was hurt.

[brass410]

Agree probably a detonation issue, would send back to manuf with documentation. Would'nt hurt to pick up a lottery ticket while your luck is on a run.

[John Taylor]

Saw this happen many years back with a 308. The ammo was in a display case that had direct sun light on it . Winchester rifle with Winchester ammo and the gun came apart. All was sent back to Winchester and the owner got a new rifle.

[waksupi]

Did he buy these at a gunshow or yard sale? Someones reloads, maybe?

[Texas by God]

Shooting unknown reloads is a stupid gamble.

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[Petrol & Powder]

Texas by God,
That cartridge might have been a tad over pressure ....

[cwtebay]

Spoke with someone from Hornady today. The serial number shows the ammo is 5 years old. It was purchased from a sporting goods store. I have a call tag to send ammo to Hornady and the rifle to Remington.

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