winchester case jam
in my remington model 700 7mm rem mag i was shooting some winchester super-x cartriges and came across a problem. the cases jammed as i tried to eject to reload. the entire bolt would seize and not budge and i would have to wait till the gun cooled and muscled the bolt back. this happened with all 20, which was frustrating. i purchased a box of federal powershocks and no problems, no jams, no seizes. the brass on the two cartiges look idenical in shape and size. so whats happening? is winchester using cheaper metals that take longer to contract after the shot?
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I'd wager it was the load. Any signs of excessive pressure? 0 -
i inspected the cases for cracks and deformation.... but found nothing 0 -
Pressure is most notable by inspecting the primer. Is the primer normal looking with just the firing pin hit in the center (the primer still looks rounded on the edges)? Or is the primer flattened (the edges of the primer are flat except for the piring pin hit? This could indicate excessive pressure.
I guess it could be that the brass is thinner walled. I will be interested to see what the primers look like.0 -
ammo been sitting in the hot sun for a few years?? 0 -
the primers look like the way they should and are identicle to the federals....i bought both boxes of ammo from cabelas and stored them in my gun safe 0 -
alexdolhyj,
Given the massive amount of ammunition that is manufactured here in the U.S., events relating to any form of failure are very rare. But that isn't to say that failure can't or don't occur because they do.
Without trying to analyze your particular event in minute detail, the big pieces of information suggest that you should have stopped shooting after one or two cartridges. This is more than enough to indicate that there is something wrong somewhere and it needs to be investigated. Firing all twenty is a little overboard and pushing a bad point in my opinion. Besides, if there is or was something wrong with that box of ammunition, there is nothing left for Winchester to test to see what might have caused the problem. Obviously, Winchester will have or should have data on that lot of ammunition.
I suggest calling or writing Winchester to offer them your observations about this box of ammunition. You will need the box flap or portion of the box that has the lot number on it for their reference. They might want you to ship the empty cases and box back to them for testing reasons. If they request this, be sure to document the box and the empty cartridge cases with pictures.
I don't rely on just looking at cartridge cases for a comparison since small details and measurements that your eyes don't pick up can make a difference in the way a cartridge performs. I would use a micrometer and calipers to measure the brass, write these measurements down and keep them with the photographs. If you don't do this documentation, you lose all recourse with Winchester if they fail to get back with you.
Let Winchester handle this but be sure to tell them that you expect an answer.
Best.0 -
Are you sure that they were factory loads? Or did you buy them at a gun show and you assumed they were factory because they were in a factory box. The reason I ask this is because if the cases were "stretched" meaning the shoulders were out of specs. this would coause the bolt to jam up as you have described. 0 -
As has been stated prior you definitely have a pressure problem there. You need to get the factory specs for that cartridge, use a new cartridge, and micrometer the area just ahead of the extractor groove for one to see if there it has expanded beyond factory specs. Also check the shoulder area, etc. If you can't locate the problem I would highly recommend that you take it to a gunsmith and have them check the gun over as far as the chamber area and freebore,etc. are concerned. You have subjected the rifle to alot of pressure and I, for safety sake, would have it checked. After shooting all the ammo I don't think sending empty casings back to winchester is an option, but I would contact them with the production information, if your absolutely sure it is factory ammo, and inform them about the problem you experienced. 0 -
i purchased the rounds from Cabelas so i know for a fact they are factory rounds. im going to call winchester and see what they say 0 -
alexdolhyj,
I really think that's the best place to start. I've had personal experience with situations like this on several occasions with Winchester and they have always stood behind their products.
Please let us know how this gets resolved.
Best.0
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