What happened 22-250!

[stewart3]

punched a primer today. I'm a hand loading rookie but, I've read a lot and have a mentor. My charge is no where near max, brass is middle of the road and only fired twice. I've been methodical about prep and measurements. Bolt stuck, primer gone, case stuck what the f*** happened!

[foxx]

Have you used that same bottle of powder before? Maybe it has been tampered with?

Is there a chance you had some other powder mixed into that load somehow?

Was the bullet seated long and therefore jammed into the lands? (not likely to cause it, but grasping at straws, anyways).

[stewart3]

I only keep one keg of powder on the bench at once. Also, all I have is 5lbs of powder all unopened except the one I've been working with. The federal brass I switched to seems to have slightly large primer pockets for the Winchester primers I have.

[foxx]

I may be wrong, but a blown primer due to loose pockets will not cause a stuck bolt. The bolt would only stick if the load was too hot. ???

Varget? I have some that seems to be much hotter than what others report to have used in the past.

[foxx]

Do you weigh each load or rely on accurate measure from your measurer/dispenser? I'm guessing most people don't weigh every load, but I do.

[stewart3]

This factory tube likes 38.5 of cfe max is 39.2 and I've worked up to max with no pressure signs. Would have gone hotter but, had best groupings with aforementioned charge. This one likes a little jump so, I had 20rnds of different lengths trying to dial it in and then failure.

[stewart3]

I measure each load on a rcbs 10/10.

[foxx]

I don't know... Forget about it.

[RyanG]

I had the exact same thing happen with my Stevens 200 in 22-250 when I used CFE 223.... I pulled all mine after that one round and went back to H380....

[scope eye]

I am surprised to hear you had problems with CFE223, I use it in all my Varmint application now.

Dean

[foxx]

When I first started handloading I had the same thing happen... I don't remember the powder or even which gun/caliber. I never figured out whether it was me or a particular component or even a problem with the rifle. In any event, I eventually decided all I could do about it was to rededicate myself to being diligent about what I do and it hasn't happened again. Whether it was my fault or not, I'm glad it happened because it sure got my attention and forced me to respect the hazards of reloading.

Who knows? Maybe it was divine intervention! :)

[cranebird]

This factory tube likes 38.5 of cfe max is 39.2 and I've worked up to max with no pressure signs. Would have gone hotter but, had best groupings with aforementioned charge. This one likes a little jump so, I had 20rnds of different lengths trying to dial it in and then failure.how much does all effect pressures ? Does longer oal decrease or increase pressure ?

[stewart3]

thanx guys. I pulled bullet from next round charge weighed exactly what it was supposed to. although, I did read that loose primers can cause this and these are pretty easy to prime and the pocket is deep. Lucky, seems to be no damage to bolt face. I'll soot a fired round and see if the shoulders need a bump but, these have only been fired a couple times. The powder has been working great, maybe to clean takes a bunch of foulers to start grouping after cleaning. I'll take 'em apart and start over. Yes foxx it got my attention!

[foxx]

Cranebird:

If the bullet is jammed into the lands, pressure is increased b/c the bullet must overcome the initial "hold" the lands have on the bullet before "breaking free". Kinda like if you try to drive your car over a curb when you start-out against the curb. On the other hand, if you allow for a jump (gap ahead of the lands) the bullet has a "running start".

[foxx]

Maybe check to be sure the chamber is clean and not gummed up. That could also cause a pressure spike, just like jamming the lands.

[stewart3]

Bullet was 15th off lands and I just cleaned my chamber recently. This is clean powder. Crane I started at 10th off lands and when shorter from there. I will completely clean my rifle including the bolt and start all over. Primers at 38.5 charge are a little flat but no cratering to speak of. I would send some pics but this computer is new and I'm struggling with photobucket.

[foxx]

Bullet was 15th off lands and I just cleaned my chamber recently. This is clean powder. Crane I started at 10th off lands and when shorter from there. I will completely clean my rifle including the bolt and start all over. Primers at 38.5 charge are a little flat but no cratering to speak of. I would send some pics but this computer is new and I'm struggling with photobucket.

That's why I said forget about it... You are paying attention to all that can be done and that's about all you can do. If it continues, I'd say get new and different brass (maybe Lapua). The rifle my not like what you have.

And keep in mind cleaning the chamber takes more attention and different tools than the bore. Might need a big chamber brush. I sometimes have my chambers polished by a smith. (maybe I did that with the one I had this happen to)

[stewart3]

I wrap a patch around one size larger brush and use paste or solvent and scrub thirty revolutions or so repeat till patches are clean for my chamber. Then I do the bore. I do this every time I clean but I like the way it shoots fouled. Maybe I'll pull the barrel and polish the chamber just in case?

[scope eye]

I would ease off on the lands, and give the round some breathing room to start with, lets say 50 thou then ease in to 40, 30, ect, until you you start seeing sighs of pressure, when ever I run into pressure I don't take them apart, I just run them though the seating die again, and set the bullets deeper usually 20 thou does the trick.

Dean

[GaryB]

I only keep one keg of powder on the bench at once. Also, all I have is 5lbs of powder all unopened except the one I've been working with. The federal brass I switched to seems to have slightly large primer pockets for the Winchester primers I have.

Did you start over with a minimum charge and work up after switching brass. Brass varies greatly in capacity and can cause problems.

Just a thought.
Gary B.