.257 Wheatherby problem?

R

rugerfreak

New member
I took my rifles out to the range today for the first deer hunting sight-in. While I was shooting my .257---after one shot I couldn't get the bolt open---then after REALLY forcing it-I got the bolt open--the primer had come completely out of the pocket and would just plop in and out after I found it---the indentation looked normal.

The case head had a gouge in it from the ejector pin and in the bolt face you could see the writing from the case head.

This was the 5th shot out of a new box of 100 gn FACTORY ammunition. The rangemaster and myself looked the rifle real closely and chambered and ejected a fresh round with no problems. Everything seemed ok --and I shot 10 or so more rounds with no other problems---and I managed the get a 1.5" to 2" group at 200 yds.

Has anybody had this problem also? And should I send the gun back to Weatherby?

BECAUSE COME TUESDAY----THEY ARE GOING TO GET A GOOD PIECE OF MY MIND-----CAUSE I'M OPENING A CAN OF WHOOP A--.
 
Don't lose that empty case !!!

Save all the empties from that box with the box. Might be needed for checkin a batch.

Did the round before the hot one impact as expected or was it a flyer. Thinkin of remote possibility that the preceeding round shed it's jacket in the bore.

Be calm collected and factual when initally contacting Weatherby. Probably get you a lot further than if you are irate. Save the irate for later if they start a "snotty" war.

Sam
 
When I fired the shot---it seemed pretty much the same as all the others I had fired. The only variance in accuracy was due to the shooter. There were no flyers.
 
Rugerfreak,

You just "blew a primer" as the result of a pressure excursion. I've had that happen working up loads on wildcats, but NOT with factory ammo. To my tiny mind, what's scary is the nearly locked up bolt. A little spike can blow a primer, but it takes a bit more to affect the bolt.
Was I you, I'd either take that to a skilled and trusted 'smith for evaluation, or send it back to Weatherby to have it checked over.
Be sure to have the lot # from the factory ammo, as well as the other identifying data when you call.
Pressure excursions don't just appear out of thin air, something was wrong with either the rifle or the ammo for this to happen.
Given the data you supplied, and no barrel bulges, etc., I'd suspect the ammo, but there's no way to tell unless they've had other problems with that lot of ammo...

Another good reason to load your own ammo! :D
Good luck!

Tom
 
"REALLY forcing it" I take to mean by hand? Not by hammer? If by hand, or bumping on a table, I doubt anything got hurt. If the shooting you did later was okay, I imagine the gun is okay. Some careful measuring of the brass with vernier calipers sure wouldn't hurt, of course.

Sounds to me like Swifter is correct. The Weatherby folks oughta be notified, but while I'd be firm I wouldn't dump all over them...I don't know if they do their own loading or contract it out--but they need to be aware that there is some sort of problem and get it on record.

FWIW, Art
 
It was forced by hand----the box said made in Sweden--so I'm assuming it was Norma manufacture for Weatherby. And I paid $35 for this box of ammo--and that's the cheap stuff.
 
.257 Wby

RugerFreak:

I worked for Weatherby a few years back.

The advice of not dumping on them is good. The ammo is made by Norma. Let Weatherby know and they will contact Norma.

Save the box!! It will have the lot number, that
is of VITAL importance! They will need that to trace back on quality control and possibly do a recall of that lot.

Anyway, just present youself as a concerned shooter who wants to help, they will be most appreciative.

By the way, the Mark V action will take just about any overload, up to and I think including dynamite
but, still have it checked by a competent 'smith as was suggested. The .257 Wby was Roy's favorite cartridge. He took damn near everything with it on the North American continent and a lot of African plains game, too. Enjoy!

Shootist45



Do not only train, also teach.
 
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