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While shooting my 1982 version of Remington 700 BDL Varmint Special in 25-06Rem with loads exceeding 3800 fps accompanied with the Good Doctor, and finishing up shooting 50 special loadings in my RPR 338LM recording all data of 250 grain loads exceeding 3000 fps, we heard a loud Kaboom.

The shooter several benches over was shooting his Dad's beautiful Ruger M77 Mark II in 25-06 using Remington Core-Lock 100 grain cartridges. Factory loadings !!!!!! The 9th shot out of a box of 20 blew up hard. Bolt was locked, spring on extractor was broken, magazine well was expanded breaking beautiful walnut stock with full lengthwise split, magazine follower and spring were blown out of rifle, lower steel floorplate was severely bent. Bolt was locked solid.

Rifle destroyed but the shooter was safe with minor wood chips peppering his face. His shooting glasses, ear protection, and shooting glove saved him from any serious injury other than a possible change of underwear.

This occurred at GRRC on the MP range at about 4:00 PM this afternoon. Luckily just for of us shooting with wide spread of benches.

After leaving the range and over halfway home, I realized I had my borescope on dash of my truck. It would have been interesting to look down barrel into cartridge body itself, But alas too late.

Be safe out there everyone.

Theories? Hard to blow one of those up.

Holland&Holland wrote:Theories? Hard to blow one of those up.

I suspect, but don't know, that the previous shot left a projectile in the bore. A fellow shooter asked if previous shot felt properly to which he answered "yes, I think so" . ???????????????????

I feel bad that I didn't use my borescope to further evaluate the rifle's condition. I have the exact same rifle except in SS Varmint and a longer barrel.

Damn, lucky and unlucky all in one

Glad to hear no major injuries except to the rifle.
Good reminder that just because it's factory ammo, doesn't mean it's perfect. All the safety rules still apply.

Have seen a shotgun self destruct. My hunting partner fell in the snow and failed to check the barrel well enough. His next shot split the barrel an inch back from the muzzle all the way to the magazine cap.

Used to help out weekends at a local gun smith. He had a Remington in 25-06 come in that had been blown up. When he got it apart, he found they had managed to chamber a 30-06 round.
He would bring that rifle and my friend's blown shotgun barrel to the Hunter Safety class as object lessons.

A KB with factory ammo is a major lawsuit waiting to happen. If I had to guess, I'd say his "factory ammo" wasn't.

Rip Van Winkle wrote:A KB with factory ammo is a major lawsuit waiting to happen. If I had to guess, I'd say his "factory ammo" wasn't.

I looked at his ammo - it was definitely Remington Core-Lock ammo, all head-stamped R-P 25-06REM. There were no other cases marked otherwise and marks on fired cases did not indicate an different caliber cartridge. It definitely was not "hand loads", IMHO.

KB's with factory ammo are as rare as hens teeth as they say.

From your description of what was left of the rifle, I'd say there was a case head separation. If there was no visible bulges or splits in the barrel, that would indicate an overloaded cartridge, or out of spec bullet or brass.

First thought- Remington’s QC hasn’t been that good lately.

Secondly, if the gun didn’t go off right, I thought part of MN’s gun safety class covered that you should check things out.

Third, what is a kid doing on a gun range during school hours?

Thank goodness he is OK. Good there was medical help there.

Rugers are pretty tank-like. That it wasn’t worse is probably a testimonial to their engineering.

crbutler wrote:First thought- Remington’s QC hasn’t been that good lately.

Secondly, if the gun didn’t go off right, I thought part of MN’s gun safety class covered that you should check things out.

Third, what is a kid doing on a gun range during school hours?

Thank goodness he is OK. Good there was medical help there.

Rugers are pretty tank-like. That it wasn’t worse is probably a testimonial to their engineering.

Kid?

Kid ???

KID was in his 30-40's, his Dad' is dying in a hospital with cancer.



I have 2 identical rifles, one in 25-06 like his, other in 243. I've shot some pretty heavy loads in my 25-06. Makes one think.


Sure wish I had used my borescope to further evaluate the condition of the bore and/or case. I suspect an obstructed bore.

It appears this one will remain a mystery.

I'm going with Russian interference.....

yukonjasper wrote:I'm going with Russian interference.....

Not bullet-stuffing?

OldmanFCSA wrote:Kid ???

KID was in his 30-40's, his Dad' is dying in a hospital with cancer.



I have 2 identical rifles, one in 25-06 like his, other in 243. I've shot some pretty heavy loads in my 25-06. Makes one think.


Sure wish I had used my borescope to further evaluate the condition of the bore and/or case. I suspect an obstructed bore.

I think I'm going to keep my borescope in my range bag now.

FINAL ANSWER.

The cartridge chambered in the 25-06 rifle was a 7mm-08 , Don't know why the shooter didn't notice the difficulty of chambering this cartridge.

I may make a 7MM-08 dummy with no primer or powder to try to chamber in my Ruger 25-06.

Will let everyone know what I find out.