Well. I destroyed my 300 RUM today.
Yesterday I was testing some load development on my 300 RUM with Berger 230 with Retumbo.
Everything went well and found a load that appeared to group well. 86.8 gr. COL of 3.600" Federal 215 primers on Hornady Brass.
The temps were 3 degrees and a slight breeze bringing the windchill temps down to -15.
I went home and loaded a few more rounds at that charge and try a couple other loads.
Today it was -10 with a 20mph wind. For some reason no one else was at the range. I fired 20 rounds of 190gr Nosler Accubonds to make sure that everything was working well and to warm myself up a bit. I am getting about 3100 fps out of the 190s with Retumbo at 91.5gr
20 rounds fired and not a single issue. I was firing a 2 rounds then I would let it sit for few minutes and fire other rifles.
About an hour into it I then switched over to the 230 grain rounds. I fired the first round. 3129fps and I couldn't lift the bolt. Something was seriously wrong. I broke off the bolt handle trying to open it at the range hitting it with my hand trying to open the action.
I took the rifle to my local smith and I attempted to get the bolt out. After three hours f trying everything under the sun, No luck. There is a picture of the results:
It was very difficult to put the gun on a band saw and cut it apart.
To say the least I am not happy. A perfectly good rifle is now a pile of scrap.
I went home and pulled all the bullets to check the powder charges. I used a two different scales and I was within .1 grain of what I loaded.
I don't know what happened. Obviously over pressured. It was 3 degrees out when I tested the rounds and it was only -10 today. There were no pressure sings, no cratered primers, nothing that would indicate that there were any issues on that same load the day before.
What a great way to end the year. I guess I will be looking for a new rifle in the new year.
Yesterday I was testing some load development on my 300 RUM with Berger 230 with Retumbo.
Everything went well and found a load that appeared to group well. 86.8 gr. COL of 3.600" Federal 215 primers on Hornady Brass.
The temps were 3 degrees and a slight breeze bringing the windchill temps down to -15.
I went home and loaded a few more rounds at that charge and try a couple other loads.
Today it was -10 with a 20mph wind. For some reason no one else was at the range. I fired 20 rounds of 190gr Nosler Accubonds to make sure that everything was working well and to warm myself up a bit. I am getting about 3100 fps out of the 190s with Retumbo at 91.5gr
20 rounds fired and not a single issue. I was firing a 2 rounds then I would let it sit for few minutes and fire other rifles.
About an hour into it I then switched over to the 230 grain rounds. I fired the first round. 3129fps and I couldn't lift the bolt. Something was seriously wrong. I broke off the bolt handle trying to open it at the range hitting it with my hand trying to open the action.
I took the rifle to my local smith and I attempted to get the bolt out. After three hours f trying everything under the sun, No luck. There is a picture of the results:
It was very difficult to put the gun on a band saw and cut it apart.
To say the least I am not happy. A perfectly good rifle is now a pile of scrap.
I went home and pulled all the bullets to check the powder charges. I used a two different scales and I was within .1 grain of what I loaded.
I don't know what happened. Obviously over pressured. It was 3 degrees out when I tested the rounds and it was only -10 today. There were no pressure sings, no cratered primers, nothing that would indicate that there were any issues on that same load the day before.
What a great way to end the year. I guess I will be looking for a new rifle in the new year.
