This week I decided to work up a load for my .243 Win barrel (the actual factory barrel for this frame) - so I loaded up some test rounds starting at 10% below the listed maximum. When I fired the lightest load the action remained shut - but I had to use a lot of force on the release to open it. After getting it open, the latch shelf remained in the open position. Something was very wrong. So for the first time I pulled the innards out of the frame. Nothing is obviously bent, which causes me to wonder if the frame itself is damaged.
The round ejected fine and the primer as not cratered - so it may have not been a pressure issue.
Has anyone else ever encountered this problem? Any thoughts from all of you handi experts?
BTW - I am VERY glad I started at 10% below maximum!