Help! Can't believe this happened

[smokin502]

Rifle is a 300wm and was shooting at the range just an hour ago. Groups were wider than normal. Then really opened up about 3" left. The last shot was a ragged hole like it was sideways. Anyone seen this before and if so what the heck causes it? Have less than 300 rounds down this pipe and brake. The brake is Ultradyne Apollo Max. Thanks for any help.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Needs to go to a gunsmith to check bore alignment to threads or possibly a faulty brake. Brake could also be threaded wrong? Just spitballin here.

 

[436]

It could have also come loose while you were shooting, in any case, Sierracharlie33 is correct, head for the gunsmith.

 

[milo-2]

More pics would be nice, but spitballin, I cannot see out of alignment being the cause, the first port is washed out. If it was a baffle strike, the parts past that would be wiped out, doubt bullet would have impacted the target either.
Looks like too soft of material and a chunk broke loose.

 

[smokin502]

Some additional pics

 

[26Reload]

Sure looks like the top baffle in second pic is getting ready to blow apart also...

 

[smokin502]

I sent a message off to the company but haven't heard anything yet.

 

[436]

I sent a message off to the company but haven't heard anything yet.

Is it a bullet strike or just pressure that blew the piece away?

 

[Reelamin]

Looks like a clear bullet strike. Only one I ever had was because I failed to check it. I don't wrench them down. Just loosen and snug like I do my shotgun chokes several times a day.

 

[WildRose]

Some additional pics

The short explanation is "it blew up".

The cause would be either it was struck by a bullet or multiple bullets until it failed or there was a flaw in the metal itself causing it to self destruct under pressure.

Either way, the MFG needs to be notified and your rifle really needs a trip to the gunsmith.

My guess assuming this isn't a new install would be that it came loose and in that event your threads may be ruined.

If it was a new install, there's a good chance it was not properly aligned with the bore.

 

[smokin502]

Looks like a clear bullet strike. Only one I ever had was because I failed to check it. I don't wrench them down. Just loosen and snug like I do my shotgun chokes several times a day.

Wasn't loose, it took 2 wrenches to break it loose. I was thinking it was pressure because I didn't see any bullet markings in it and all the shots were pretty straight. I was also thinking if it did hit the brake then the bullet would bounce like a pin ball machine and blow the whole thing off. I also was checking on their website and my caliber is not listed as an approved round for that brake. So maybe it was pressure that caused it. Who knows at this point

 

[smokin502]

The short explanation is "it blew up".

The cause would be either it was struck by a bullet or multiple bullets until it failed or there was a flaw in the metal itself causing it to self destruct under pressure.

Either way, the MFG needs to be notified and your rifle really needs a trip to the gunsmith.

My guess assuming this isn't a new install would be that it came loose and in that event your threads may be ruined.

If it was a new install, there's a good chance it was not properly aligned with the bore.

The brake was installed by a gunsmith when I replaced the barrel. About 300 rds through both.

 

[WildRose]

The brake was installed by a gunsmith when I replaced the barrel. About 300 rds through both.

My bet then is that it either worked loose enough to get cockeyed or it was cut from a really bad piece of steel, likely with air bubbles nobody could see.

That kind of damage can only happen either through contact with the bullet or through material failure.

 

[milo-2]

Wasn't loose, it took 2 wrenches to break it loose. I was thinking it was pressure because I didn't see any bullet markings in it and all the shots were pretty straight. I was also thinking if it did hit the brake then the bullet would bounce like a pin ball machine and blow the whole thing off. I also was checking on their website and my caliber is not listed as an approved round for that brake. So maybe it was pressure that caused it. Who knows at this point

Your answer may be on your target, you said the last shot keyholed, was it the whole bullet, or just the jacket of the bullet?
Getting 300 rds through it before the meltdown says it was aligned properly, I cannot wait for the explanation!