The barrel fracture edges appear to show some evidence of brittleness, but I can't figure why the receiver split like that. I'm wondering if either the bullet from the last Hornady round or a cleaning rod was still in the barrel. Yikes! Talk about developing a flinch!
Like Kevin, it seems to me to be a defective barrel, and then it pried apart the receiver. I would also tend to think it is bad material, for it to be so symmetrical, whereas if it was bad machining I don't think it would be so even unless the flutes were cut too deeply.
Posts: 7776 | Location: Between 2 rivers, Middle USA | Registered: 19 August 2000
If a bullet was stuck in the barrel, there would be a significant mark in the bore where the second bullet struck it.
I can imagine a few things that would cause a barrel to split or a receiver to split, but both at the same time is a mystery to me.
I think it's more likely the receiver let go first and then allowed the fluted barrel to give way. The barrel giving way first and thus "prying apart" the receiver doesn't sound as likely. The pressure would have been released too rapidly I think.
Did the last bullet hit the target?
It's all interesting conjecture on my part.
Posts: 5052 | Location: Muletown | Registered: 07 September 2001
If the barrel let go first, would the brass be split like that? What about a Federal .300 Win Mag round loaded accidentally with pistol powder, with a bullet that happens to be touching the lands?
One thing is almost for certain.....the shooter HAS GOT to be in the market for a new pair of shorts.
MKane aka BigDogMK
P.S.: Any bets on Leupold replacing the scope under warranty?
Posts: 488 | Location: TN | Registered: 03 January 2004
Take a long hard look at things. I have ran destruction tests on guns and I can just about guarantee from what I have experienced/witnessed and judging by what the pictures show, the barrel was fluted too deeply and that is where the sepration began. The 300 mag. using a slow propellent is still developing high pressures as the progressive burn contnues down the barrel, even thought the volumn area is increasing as the bullet progreses down the tube. About the time the bullet reached the thin fuluted area, the steel yielded. Note how the barrel came apart in three pieces in the flutes...this progressed rearward and as stated the three pieces became pry bars that seperated the receiver in half. The cases split like a petal along the three barrel seperation lines. There was no bullet in the bore, or a bulge would be present. High pressure and a thin barrel is the culprit. Damn shame to lose a rifle this way.
Posts: 288 | Location: Kentucky | Registered: 23 August 2003
