Kaboom, Ruger Model 96 in 17HMR

[Mikee Loxxer]

Today on a facebook gun trader group a gentleman posted pictures of what is left of what he is calling a Ruger lever action model 94 in 17HMR. Doing an online search for a model 94 yielded no results but instead I found reference to a model 96. I am assuming the facebook poster is really referring to a model 96 and not a model 94.

Anyways the rifle was subject to a kaboom. The gentleman’s post was as follows:

“Here is what's left of my dads Ruger 94 lever action 17. Ruger told him the Remington shells are at fault and won't do nothing . So to all of you with a 17 and are shooting Remington ammo beware. I've heard of another incident with this ammo. Just glad my 8 year old wasn't shooting it.”







To me it looks like he had an out of battery. I’ve heard that magnum rimfire autloaders are frequently subject to kabooms. I’ve never heard of it on a lever action before. What do you guys think happened here?

 

[SilentScream]

Probably an ammo failure over pressure most likely. Though it could have been an out of battery failure to. If it were indeed an ammo failure the first place to call is the ammo manufacturer and go from there.

 

[NCsmitty]

One manufacturer makes all the different brands of 17 HMR using the v-max bullets.
Here's a reply from CCI to a query.

Thank you for you'r query Bob,
CCI, Federal, Winchester, Remington and Hornady all loaded here at CCI in Lewiston, Idaho with a V-max bullet are identical, with the exception of tip color. Manufactured on the same equip, to the same ballistic specs, using the same components other than color of the tip of the bullets. Obviously the shellcase 'head stamp' and packaging would be different on the various products.

Linda Olin
CCI/Speer Technical Services
2299 Snake River Ave.
Lewiston, ID 83501

Remington's 597 semi in 17 HMR was recalled and bought back by remington, but no recall on ammo itself that I know of having an issue. They just bought back the Remington ammo if you didn't have a rifle for its use.

Possibly a barrel obstruction was the culprit. Hard for me to see the pics.


NCsmitty

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Could have been the ammo although I have not heard about a recall or any problems with this ammo. Most likely a bore obstruction.

 

[Edarnold]

Another example of why a bottleneck rim fire is such a very bad idea. Get an accumulation of fouling or a fragment from the case neck stuck in the chamber, slam the cartridge in fast and hard, and guaranteed Kaboom. The priming in the case head doesn't care what hits it, as long as it's hit hard enough. One hopes that Winchesters new .17 SuperMag is chambered only in bolt actions, where you'd really have to work at it to get an AD.
Nice confirmation from Olin that the name on the box often doesn't mean anything about who actually made the ammunition. With the current tight supply situation, I imagine a lot of components, and even complete rounds, are coming from overseas suppliers and sold under U.S. trade names.

 

[TimboKhan]

If it was a bore obstruction, that moves it out of the realm of gun or ammo, and firmly into user error.

sent from my Galaxy Note II.

 

[Fast Frank]

I'm going to need a whole lot more information than what I can gather from those little bitty pictures to form any kind of opinion.

It would be interesting to hear the story from the shooter. Did this happen on loading, or at the trigger pull, first shot, what?

 

[itsa pain]

how could a modern lever fire out of battery? everything must be locked up tight before trigger can be pulled

 

[adelbridge]

probably a Ruger 96/17 with a rotary magazine. The only way this could happen is if the bullet went off before it was fully chambered or a case head seperation.

 

[BSA1]

I have a hard time believing that Ruger will not do anything.

Years ago a friend purchased a new Ruger Vaquero and a box of factory Remington ammunition. He immediately went to the range and somewhere in the first 50 rounds one of the chambers bulged. He sent the gun to Remington and in return received a new gun directly from Ruger. Neither company admitted responsibility but his gun was replaced with no hassles.

My vote is the shooter screwed up and wants to blame someone else.

 

[OilyPablo]

Please post larger pictures.