Case Separation

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AzShooter1

AzShooter1

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Had a strange shot today while shooting our monthly Steel Challenge Match. I was doing real well until the last stage. Got three decent runs in and then on my 4th run I had a case explode from the back.

Looked like a double feed but it exploded out of battery and the rear of the case completely shattered. I just got some burned oil on my hands but the guy with the timer got some gas to his face. Good thing we all wear safety glasses.

On investigation, the extractor was missing. Cases were staying in the chamber and fortunately someone with a Ruger Mark IV let me shoot their gun for my last run so I didn't have to each a 30 second run.

I normally keep an extra bolt in my bag but just swapped to a new bag and didn't have the bolt with me.
 
Terminology.

Its a SEPARATION if the case separates such that the front half of the case remains in the chamber, and the back half extracts without a big plume of smoke. Also includes when the entire case comes out but looks substantially like this.
case separation.jpg



Its a RUPTURE if the rim, or the base, blows out. Usually accompanied with some sort of big cloud of smoke and distress/injury to shooter.

case rupture.jpg
 
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Was the problem round a reload? Case separation doesn't happen very much in factory ammo. When it does, big names like Federal like getting the details from shooters to know if there is a problem they should look at.
 
I thought so, that detail should change directions a bit.

I have seen it happen with out of battery firing. Bolt not fully closing and some cases where I suspected bounce.

Your pistol is also a Ruger Mark IV?
 
jmorris said:
I thought so, that detail should change directions a bit.

I have seen it happen with out of battery firing. Bolt not fully closing and some cases where I suspected bounce.

Your pistol is also a Ruger Mark IV?
Click to expand...

Yes, it's a glorified Mark IV 22/45. I really like it. Too bad I didn't bring my backup with me. I like the LLV upper. It's a 6 inch which really doesn't matter since I shoot with a red dot but I like the feel of it. It's just a tad heavier than my Lite
 
Have U contacted CCI about this yet? I'm sure they will want to know.
Hopefully you can find the required parts to get your gun up & running again:thumbup:
 
AzShooter1 said:
Yes, it's a glorified Mark IV 22/45. I really like it. Too bad I didn't bring my backup with me. I like the LLV upper.
Click to expand...

It would probably help everyone guess what your problem is, if they had as much information as possible. No need to see who is the best detective, you can feed us all the information up front.

A solid 100% were taking you down a rabbit hole for centerfire, reloaded ammunition before you clarified we were talking about factory rimfire ammunition.

What does “glorified” mean? What all have you changed on it? When was the last time it was cleaned before the malfunction?

Is this the upper you have on it?

C58EF6D7-F5BB-4F58-BACC-D8B9BDAE0775.jpeg
 
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It has all the Volquarsten enhancements. The LLV - 4 is for the Mark IV 22/45. It's basically a 22/45 but shoots a lot better and is more reliable than my stock Lite.

It could have been from the extractor because that's no where to be found. Perhaps it broke on the previous shot. I have a backup and will be installing it today.

The barrel was brushed only 200 rounds prior so it was nice and clean. I also cleaned the bolt at the same time but didn't notice anything wrong.
 
index.php
i have had buldged case head, never this. To much priming compound got in the case?
index.php


Walkalong photo, never fully chambered.
 
Never fully chambered, looks similar to ones I have set off with heat, that were not in a chamber at all.

8EA48C37-3758-4CFA-9485-7CC24F993258.jpeg
 
My Ruger 10/.22 had a cartridge case rupture that blew the extractor off the bolt. Never found the cartridge case.

Model 1917 Enfield rifles, model 1903 rifles and original model 70 Winchesters leave about 1/8" of the cartridge unsupported. Although it is extremely rare, a cartridge case separation in these rifles can be dramatic.

i was present on a firing range when the gentleman at the next bench had a case separation in his pre WWII Model 70 Winchester. The round was a handload. The magazine contents were blown out, the extractor was blown off, the receiver was cracked and the stock broken.
 
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Using feeler gauges between the breechface and bolt face, at what point will the hammer no longer fall, in thousandths. For example will it fall up to a .050 inch gap but not if it’s open more than that?
 
That’s never fun, I’m glad you and the range official are both ok. :thumbup:

My son was shooting my Henry .22 Mag lever when the head of a CCI Maxi Mag let go. He got peppered with burning powder like you guys did, and also like you two his glasses kept his eyes from getting hit.

DF182BC8-2CA9-4D3D-91DC-2F8AB79F0A9D.png

Here’s an image from the clip I shot of him shooting that shows the shower of burning bits that blew out of the action. I bet your blowout had the same kind of blast pattern :what:.

Always wear your eyes and ears!

Stay safe.
 
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