Can problem or load problem?

[Rancid Coolaid]

I am posting this in reloading and in suppressors, because I don't I don't know WTF.


I took my YHM .308 Phantom to the range for the first time today.

Round 1 and 2 down range looked great (shift in POI about 2 MOA.)

When i squeezed off round 3, I got powder from the action (bolt action 40X, tack-driver) and pulled away from the gun to see smoke coming from the action and trigger well. Not good! the sound the round made was "off."

I checked the target and the round hit where I was aiming (therefore projectile was not stuck in bore.) When I tried to run the bolt, there was more resistance than usual turning the bolt handle, but the round extracted fine, but failed to eject - it was stuck to the bolt face.

I pulled the bolt and checked the case and this is what I found. The primer was no longer seated, the brass shows no presure signs, but there is obvious sign of powder burn on the head stamp (haven't seen that before.)

I stopped shooting that gun, pending a break down and pulled the can to inspect for any problems (baffle strike, anything.) No can problems.

I moved the can over to a 6.8 AR upper and kept firing, no issues with that gun, everything worked as it should.

SO, is this a rifle problem, an ammo problem, or a can problem?

The Ammo is Hornady TAP, brand new.

Anyone seen this before?

Notice the flame-kissed head stamp and the burnt edge of the primer. Did Hornady screw up?

 

[BLAWTON]

Re: Can problem or load problem?

Yea it looks like it. I would check one of the loaded ones for head stamp size and compair it to that one. If it grew more then .002" yes the f-up somewhere.

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: Can problem or load problem?

That load was a HOT one, huh!! Yes, it screams of over pressure. There is a sign of pressure on the case head. On the opposite side of the burnt section on the case head, there is a real shinny spot. That is the ejector mark. Plus, the entire case head is flattened and shinny. I don't think it was the gun or can, but a hot load. I was shooting with a buddy on Monday, and one of his 22-250 Hornady loads blew the primer. I was surprised.

 

[Rancid Coolaid]

Re: Can problem or load problem?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That load was a HOT one, huh!! Yes, it screams of over pressure. There is a sign of pressure on the case head. On the opposite side of the burnt section on the case head, there is a real shinny spot. That is the ejector mark. Plus, the entire case head is flattened and shinny. I don't think it was the gun or can, but a hot load. I was shooting with a buddy on Monday, and one of his 22-250 Hornady loads blew the primer. I was surprised. </div></div>


I have 5 more boxes of the stuff, dump it or send it back to Hornady?

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: Can problem or load problem?

I would definitly call Hornady and let them know about it. See what they tell you. They may want you to send it to them, and refund your money or send you more ammo.
Personally, I'm not comfortable shooting ammo that this has happened with. But, that's up to you. I haven't shot a factory load in years.