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Seeking advice from Savage SMEs/tinkerers!

FEENIX
P7200025.jpg

A week ago I was shooting my Savage 111F in .300WM (above pix) with some load developments of .208gr Hornady A-Max and H1000. I fired 9 rounds, 75.5 gr of H1000 being the hottest. As I let the barrel cool off (3 to 5 minutes each shot), I inspected my rifle and found out that my safety is broken.

PA100347.jpg

When I pulled the bolt to investigate for any obstruction, esp. in the barrel, I also found that the bolt retaining pin snapped in half.

PA100348.jpg

I was using a Caldwell lead sled weighted with a set of tire chains as seen below (except with a different rifle). The set up still have plenty of give that the rifle/stock does not absorb all the recoil.

PA110130.jpg

Anyways, I have it fixed up now and cost me $14 for the safety and $4 for the pin. I was just wondering if anyone have any idea of possible cause(s) so I can watch for or avoid in the future.

I didn't really see anything other than the rifle is almost 20 years old and I was thinking more of metal fatigue or something like that.

Thank you in advance for your insight.

Ed
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ADDED: 13 Oct 10

denkraus,

I heard about stock damages but not what I've experienced.

ADDED1: 13 Oct 10

Mike Wiskey,

Thank you for confirming my suspicion, considering I have a couple of Savage LAs, it's a good idea to have spare parts handy. Thanks again.
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2 comments

Date Votes
  • denkraus
    quote:Originally posted by FEENIX
    P7200025.jpg

    A week ago I was shooting my Savage 111F in .300WM (above pix) with some load developments of .208gr Hornady A-Max and H1000. I fired 9 rounds, 75.5 gr of H1000 being the hottest. As I let the barrel cool off (3 to 5 minutes each shot), I inspected my rifle and found out that my safety is broken.

    PA100347.jpg

    When I pulled the bolt to investigate for any obstruction, esp. in the barrel, I also found that the bolt retaining pin snapped in half.

    PA100348.jpg

    I was using a Caldwell lead sled weighted with a set of tire chains as seen below (except with a different rifle). The set up still have plenty of give that the rifle/stock does not absorb all the recoil.

    PA110130.jpg

    Anyways, I have it fixed up now and cost me $14 for the safety and $4 for the pin. I was just wondering if anyone have any idea of possible cause(s) so I can watch for or avoid in the future.

    I didn't really see anything other than the rifle is almost 20 years old and I was thinking more of metal fatigue or something like that.

    Thank you in advance for your insight.

    Ed
    _______
    I use a weighted lead sled also when shooting my 300 win mag and noticed I had my scope slip on the rings. I weigh it with a block of 25-lb. lead and now seeing your problem think I will weight it less so the gun won't have to absorb so much shock. I never have had any trouble bench shooting before and think the lead sled is a great think for shooting the magnums but think I must be overdoing it.
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  • MIKE WISKEY
    your problems are common metal fatique, the safty is 'cast steel' and i have had several rifles from that time period with broken cross pins (I keep several on hand now).
    0

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