.223 bolt action rifle bolt damage after case head failure

sirgilligan · Aug 14, 2013

Since I am the author of the Gun Log SPC iOS app I have a lot of friends that email me their shot groups, info on new firearms, and info on failures. I just got this info the other day concerning a CZ 527 .223 REM shooting Federal .223 ammunition.

My friend and myself are curious to hear opinions on this failure. Cartridge's fault? Rifle's fault? Both?

Here is the info I have received at this time.

The bolt stayed in place.
The bolt had to be hammered out by a gun smith.
The extractor was badly damaged and a piece of the bolt head is cracked and missing.
No bulges in the barrel that are visible.
Ammo was factory Federal loads, no reloads / handloads in the mix. The ammo is .223 REM and is NOT 5.56 NATO.
Ammo was fed from the magazine.

It looks like the slot where the extractor fits next to the bolt face cracked.
The extractor collar is missing, I do not know at this time what happened to it.

rcmodel · Aug 14, 2013

Cartridge's fault.

It is a classic case head failure, due probably to an over-load, or a squib load before it sticking another bullet right in front of the chamber.

The rifle did what it is supposed to do.

That is fail-safe in such a manner I assume the shooter was not injured.

rc

wally · Aug 14, 2013

I'd suggest the owner contact Federal with the ammo lot number and these photos.

If there was a squib the shot before, the shooter shares the blame for not noticing the lack of recoil, in this case there would likely be a "ring" in the barrel if not a noticeable bulge. But Federal shouldn't be packaging squibs either.

sirgilligan · Aug 14, 2013

The shooter is uninjured, but according to my friend that is because he was wearing the proper protection, otherwise there would have been an eye injury.

sirgilligan · Aug 14, 2013

As far as I know there was no squib load. I asked that specifically and also asked to check the barrel for a bulge or damage.

adelbridge · Aug 14, 2013

what is the sliver moon shape around the primer pockets?

sirgilligan · Aug 14, 2013

adelbridge said:
what is the sliver moon shape around the primer pockets?

I think that is an artifact of the photograph itself. I do not think the primers are some how not centered or seated.

rcmodel · Aug 14, 2013

The rings around the primers are from the mil-spec primer crimp.

That is perfectly normal on all mil-spec ammo, and has nothing to do with the case failure.

rc

wally · Aug 14, 2013

Anyone else think it curious that .223 ammo would have 5.56 mil-spec crimped primers? I thought Power Shock was a hunting ammo product line.

W.E.G. · Aug 14, 2013

What weight bullet?

sirgilligan · Aug 14, 2013

W.E.G. said:
What weight bullet?

He didn't say.

W.E.G. · Aug 14, 2013

I'm just wondering if a heavy bullet found its way into some varmint loads.

If we assume the factory loading machine was dumping powder charges appropriate for varmint loads, you might get enough fast-burning powder into a .223 case that you could blow up an otherwise sound case from "too much powder."

If the components were otherwise "correct" and there was no bore obstruction, it would have to be a defect in the brass.

Either way, I think Federal eats this one, and issues a recall for the ammo lot in question.

Assuming the shooter was not seriously injured, take lots of pics, and send the ammo and the rifle to Federal.
Let them pay for the mess.

If the shooter was permanently injured, keep custody of all evidence, and engage the services of an attorney who handles personal-injury matters.

carbine85 · Aug 14, 2013

That's a case failure. I would send the gun to CZ for their opinion and repairs and send the ammo back to Federal and ask them to make good.

stubbicatt · Aug 14, 2013

Factory ammo you say? I have had factory ammo with no flash holes in my pistol carry ammunition. I only happened to find it due to changing to a new box. That whole year I carried that round it was a dud.

Now?

I load my own for CCW.

I am sorry to OP that his rifle detonated.

Chief 101 · Aug 15, 2013

I would not be so sure that thisis factory ammo, looks to me like the crimped primer pockets were beveled for reloading...jus'sayin'

30 dirty 30's · Aug 15, 2013

Mil spec crimp on .223 ammo

Wally,
I think it's logical to assume that anything made as a .223 may likely find its way into an AR or similar weapon. With free floating firing pins, high bolt velocity, etc, it makes sense from a liability and perceived quality standpoint to put in harder primers and crimp them in place.

W.E.G. · Aug 15, 2013

Crimped primers are commonplace, although not yet ubiquitous, in commercial .223/5.56 ammo in today's market.

sirgilligan · Aug 15, 2013

I sent some more questions to my friend and he responded last night and sent some more photos, many of which are in better focus.

These were the first eight rounds through the gun. It hadn't fired anything else. It was a brand new rifle.

Lot # V49T502
55 Grain Soft Point Ammo.

There was no squib load, the previous shot punched the paper target.

sirgilligan · Aug 15, 2013

sirgilligan · Aug 15, 2013

sirgilligan · Aug 15, 2013

sirgilligan · Aug 15, 2013

I have a new unfired CZ 527 .223. For reference I have taken some pictures of the bolt.

HOOfan_1 · Aug 15, 2013

Brand new and beautiful gun...I hope Federal replaces it for him 100%...not just repairs, but a full replacement

sirgilligan · Aug 15, 2013

Look at this image... I can see the letters R E M on the bolt face.

243winxb · Aug 15, 2013

The color of the ruptured brass just does not look right to me. Does not seem to belong to that box of ammo.

.223 bolt action rifle bolt damage after case head failure

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