atblis
Member
So let's suppose that one has a round that was clearly over-pressure. At what point should you be worried that the action could be compromised? This is all in the context of a modern bolt-action.
My thoughts (not statements of facts)
When, I say "no big deal", I don't mean that you should continue loading like that, just that the action itself if subjected to one round of said loading is most likely fine.
1) Primers flattened and or flowing into the firing pin hole. Probably no big deal.
2) Primer compromised, but otherwise the case isn't too bad. Case head lettering may be affected. Possibly some flow into extractor cutout, probably no big deal.
3) Plastic deformation of the case head. Getting interested. Possibly problematic.
4) Case failure. Problem. and quite possibly catastrophic anyways making it a moot point.
If headspace has opened up, that's indicative of something. What about perhaps cracks in the bolt lugs, that eventually lead to failure? Does that happen?
Case 3 above is the one I am interested in because...
This should have chronoed at 3050 fps. It chronoed at 3350 fps and the case look like this. I had to use a 2x4 on the bolt handle. I have a good idea of what happened, and have revised my loading procedures to prevent it from happening in the future. Basically, I had charged some cases but decided to start over. I think when dumping out the powder from the cases, some bridged and...
My thoughts (not statements of facts)
When, I say "no big deal", I don't mean that you should continue loading like that, just that the action itself if subjected to one round of said loading is most likely fine.
1) Primers flattened and or flowing into the firing pin hole. Probably no big deal.
2) Primer compromised, but otherwise the case isn't too bad. Case head lettering may be affected. Possibly some flow into extractor cutout, probably no big deal.
3) Plastic deformation of the case head. Getting interested. Possibly problematic.
4) Case failure. Problem. and quite possibly catastrophic anyways making it a moot point.
If headspace has opened up, that's indicative of something. What about perhaps cracks in the bolt lugs, that eventually lead to failure? Does that happen?
Case 3 above is the one I am interested in because...
This should have chronoed at 3050 fps. It chronoed at 3350 fps and the case look like this. I had to use a 2x4 on the bolt handle. I have a good idea of what happened, and have revised my loading procedures to prevent it from happening in the future. Basically, I had charged some cases but decided to start over. I think when dumping out the powder from the cases, some bridged and...