Wallhanger ..... :(

[Bob S]

Well, my Winchester-Lee M1895 Navy rifle is now a wall hanger. I managed a short trip to the local range, and fired exactly two rounds from this rifle. The first was Sierra 95 Grain MK, 25 grains 4895, Rem 9-1/2 primer, reformed 25-06 cases form Buffalo arms. Nice mild load, the fired case and primer looked perfectly normal. Second round, everything exactly the same except the bullet was Winchester 100 grain PP. Blew the primer, case stuck fast in the chamber. The only difference would be the length of bearing surface.

After knocking the case out of the chamber (with a steel rod and mallet), I checked headspace and found that it had not changed. But careful examination revealed two cracks in the feed ramp of the receiver. Very sad ....

Pictures will follow.

Resp'y,
Bob S.

[Dollar Bill]

Very sad indeed, Bob. No way to repair/restore it?

[JBinIll]

Heartbreaking for sure.Doesn't happen to be one of these on this list does it-

[dave]

I would complain to Bufflao Arms. My son and I have gotten overloaded 22 ammo from Winchester even! No damage 'cause we noticed load report and quite using it. Win. made good after we complained and sent back ammo.
But I believe you take a chance when you shoot old and valueble arms, such as that Lee!

[CJCulpeper]

Want to sell it? I know of two that could use a new friend even if it is a wall hanger. ...for the right price of course

Culpeper

[Rick the Librarian]

I'd be interested as well.

[Bob S]

The rifle is not for sale.

Buffalo Arms did not load the ammunition, only provided the empty cases.

All of the modern 6mm 100 and 105 grain spitzers that are on my shelf have over .500" of parallel midbody at .244". I miked an orignal UMC bullet and it is strongly tapered outside the case mouth; full groove diameter (.244) only in the case neck, substantially less than the 100 grain bullet that caused the failure. Hindsight is always 20/20.

For what it's worth ....

Resp'y,
Bob S.

[Griff Murphey]

Very sorry for your loss. I have a friend who is a top vintage rifle competitor. He was shooting cast bullets in his best Krag and dented a chamber, ruined a fine shooting original but it can be rebarreled. Never fully explained, loose gas check or a metallurgic defect in the barrel seem the most likely explanations....

Again, sorry.

[madsenshooter]

Bummer Bob, hope you hadn't ordered any molds for it yet.

[Bob S]

Yeah, I purchased a few moulds ... but I have several 6mm rifles to work with, so they will all see plenty of use irregardless.

Resp'y,
Bob S.

P.S. The rifle is not on the MAINE list ... it's actually a very early "civilian musket" And I do have a plan .....

[Bob S]

. I have a friend who is a top vintage rifle competitor. He was shooting cast bullets in it and dented a chamber, ruined a fine shooting original but it can be rebarreled. Never fully explained, loose gas check or a metallurgic defect in the barrel seem the most likely explanations....

You mean he "ringed" the chamber? Fairly common occurance if he was using Dacron filler or "wads" in a bottleneck case. That's also Numba Ten.

Resp'y,
Bob S.

[jon_norstog]

Bob,

That truly bites. Better luck next time.

jn

[Bob S]

Post mortem.

First pic, fired cases, bases. Left, Sierra 95 grain MK, right Winchester 100 grain PP. Both with 25 grains 4895. Note that the primer in the 95 SMK case isn't even flattened. Primer from 100 PP case is gone.




Fired cases, side. Top, 95 SMK, bottom 100 PP. base of 100 PP case is .050" larger than unfired cases.



Note cracks in the feed ramp:



Bad ju-ju.

Resp'y,
Bob S.

[psteinmayer]

It's enough to make a grown man cry Bob!

[madsenshooter]

Bob, at that charge level, it just shouldn't have done that! 34gr was a COW suggested load for 2680fps/w100gr. But I've followed discussions on what was causing some blow ups with Swedish mausers. It was fellows trying to take it easy on the old iron. Seems it's happened to several of them. Smaller than normal charge, even of a medium burning powder, long throat, in some cases one that's rough, jacketed bullets, and at least once a thick jacketed bullet was involved (Swift). Things go ok until the bullet stops for just a millisecond upon hitting the throat and acts like a bore obstruction, then pressures skyrocket. In some cases the rifle is wrecked, a classic blowup. I believe there was even some factory ammo recalled because of the phenomena. What kinda shape was the throat of your rifle in? Looks to me like that thing was all too close to letting go. I'd call that escaping by a hair's breadth! Sure glad it went no further.