Catostrophic failure saturday afternoon

miktri

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6.5 Grendel failure.jpg Sighting in my 6.5 Grendel 24" barrel. I have shot over 300 rounds through this rifle, AR platform both factory and my reloads. Loaded magazine, inserted in mag well, chambered a round, sighted it in, squeezed the trigger. Next thing I know the magazine is on table follower and base plate nowhere to be found, bolt locked back. Brass still in chamber. It got everyone's attention.
After clearing it the best I could I called it a day headed home. Didn't even realize my hand had been cut till my wife saw it.
Used a cleaning rod to knock out the brass. Checked the function, seemed to be ok. The case appears to have separated at the base.
Disassembled weapon cleaned, lubed, back to the range the next day.
Functions fine. Some factory rounds then my hand loads. I pulled apart 20 ramdom rounds from that batch and all where within .1 grain of weight.
I'll try and post a pic of the case later.
It scared the living bejesus out of me.
 
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Might have been 3rd use, max, I don't do full power reloads usually stay in the middle of range
 
Google Case Head Separation.... might want to check your brass with a bent paper clip.
 
How many loadings on that brass? I'll second the paperclip trick on your brass.

Then again, there's a possibility that it was just a bad piece of brass. I had that happen once using Greek HXP M2 ball in a 1903 Springfield. Fresh out of the spam can, no corrosion on the case, no issues with the ammo lot, etc. Loaded the rifle, pulled the trigger and WHOOM! you could see where the case let go, but there were no other signs of trouble.

Just to re-affirm... always be sure to wear eyepro!
 
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