OK, I have gotten into a fine mess this time........

[vincewarde]

It appears that for whatever reason, while working up a load (.5gr at a time) pressure got to high.  The action popped open and is now loose.

The barrel in question is a .243 Ultra (the original barrel for the frame).  All other barrels fit tight.  My 45/70 barrel shot fine on the same trip - the frame appears to be fine.

So, what about this barrel.  Can it be fixed?  Where is the damage likely to be?  Has anyone out there ever had this problem?

Thanks!

[blind ear]

Did you get the gun new? Was the barrel original to the gun? Do you know if the pivot pin had been shimmed? The problem would most likely be at the pivot pin unless you had a pretty bad overload. Some experts will have more questions if the answers to these questions doesn't give them all they need.  Good luck, ear

[cwlongshot]

Its impossible for any of us to say with 100% certainty...
If this barrel is the ONLY one that's loose, I am guessing it was not fit properly to begin with. Meaning there was a burr or debris in the hinge or action that gave a "false" fit and with your stiff load it was corrected.
 
About the only way to know for certain would be to have the barrel scanned for cracks, but I'll bet its fine. Give it a real good look with good magnifiers and plenty of light. Try shimming and see what its gonna need to bring it back to tight and decide if its excessive.
 
I had a 223 blow on me last year for an unknown reason. (likely overcharge) But the extractor was blown out and action popped open, I replaced parts, looked it over and now it shoots .5MOA at 100!!!!
 
I am not even sure the factory is gonna be able to help you on this one...
 
BE safe, Merry Christmas
 CW

[jeepmann1948]

While you are looking check the latch shelf engagement as well. I agree with CW about the pivot pin fit.If it is loose there a shim will fix it just fine. Good Luck

[Jimbo47]

I second or thirds the advise given above.
 
It most likely wasn't fit correctly or evenly to begin with and the stout load made it set, so a very fine shim will most likely tighten it back up.
 
Be sure to check it carefully for cracks on the underlug though and again, as it's worth repeating, so go over it carefully though just to make sure.

[tom548]

What was the load the you feel was to hot. It would have to  be over the max. by quite a bit to cause  the action or barrel to stretch or change shape. I would agree on a high spot on the hing that has gotten beaten flat.

[quickdtoo]

I'd send it in and have H&R inspect and fix it, that's always an option to be considered, they've done repairs like this many times over the years. 

Tim

http://www.hr1871.com/support/repairs.asp

[ibgp3]

+1 to quick.
That sounds like a job for the factory.

[Jimbo47]

+1 to quick.
That sounds like a job for the factory.

That would be an option, but be advised there is a WARNING stamped into each and every barrel on the right side that most of us probably don't bother to read, and it would be up to them to determine if they will fix it or not, and they can probably tell if it were overly stressed.
 
The factory has been just about bending over backwards for their customers, but don't be dissappointed should they refuse!     Food for thought!

[cwlongshot]

+1 to quick.
That sounds like a job for the factory.

That would be an option, but be advised there is a WARNING stamped into each and every barrel on the right side that most of us probably don't bother to read, and it would be up to them to determine if they will fix it or not, and they can probably tell if it were overly stressed.
 
The factory has been just about bending over backwards for their customers, but don't be dissappointed should they refuse!     Food for thought!

Exactly correct.

This would be classified as abuse and quite likely not covered or even looked at.

That's why I said what I did in my post.

CW

[vincewarde]

Did you get the gun new? Was the barrel original to the gun? Do you know if the pivot pin had been shimmed? The problem would most likely be at the pivot pin unless you had a pretty bad overload. Some experts will have more questions if the answers to these questions doesn't give them all they need.  Good luck, ear

Yes, however it was back to the factory for a locking block replacement.  I gave direction to fit block to barrel because I have several other barrels, and it appears that they did exactly that.

Yes, this is the original barrel.

[vincewarde]

Its impossible for any of us to say with 100% certainty...
If this barrel is the ONLY one that's loose, I am guessing it was not fit properly to begin with. Meaning there was a burr or debris in the hinge or action that gave a "false" fit and with your stiff load it was corrected.

Yes, this is the only barrel that is loose.

About the only way to know for certain would be to have the barrel scanned for cracks, but I'll bet its fine. Give it a real good look with good magnifiers and plenty of light. Try shimming and see what its gonna need to bring it back to tight and decide if its excessive.

Sounds like a good idea.  My wife is an CA Extended Function Dental Assistant.  She does fillings, crowns, etc. and has a very good set of magnifiers (loopes) for doing that.  I'll have her bring them home.
 

I had a 223 blow on me last year for an unknown reason. (likely overcharge) But the extractor was blown out and action popped open, I replaced parts, looked it over and now it shoots .5MOA at 100!!!!

That's encouraging!

I am not even sure the factory is gonna be able to help you on this one...

 Yeah, it was my fault.  I am sure the rounds were just too hot. 

[vincewarde]

I'd send it in and have H&R inspect and fix it, that's always an option to be considered, they've done repairs like this many times over the years. 

I know that the factory has been generous in the past, but in reviewing additional loading manuals it appears that the round that popped the action was clearly 1-2 grains over maximum.  Frankly, since the gun went back to the factory to have the latch shelf repair done, it has been a long time since I loaded the test rounds.  I don't remember where I got the load info.

This was 100% my fault and I can't in good conscience ask the factory to fix it.  If I can't safely fix it, I'll have to junk it.

Learn from my experience everyone:

1) Wear shooting glasses
2) There is a reason we work loads up carefully - had I not done so, the result would have been very, very bad.
3) It's a good idea to check multiple sources for load data.

[Jimbo47]

It's like CW has posted in the past that he doesn't give out specific load information, and also like he has said in the past his barrel may handle one of his loads just fine, but the next guy using the exact load may not.
 
I'm guilty of posting information with that being said, although I'm usually always on the low end of the load data, and I do check with other sources and load manuals before trying anything different from my norm, but just taking someone's posted information is risky.
 
It won't hurt to call CS and explain exactly what happened to you up front, and let them tell you no, since it won't cost you a thing but a little time.
 
Stay safe!

[cjrjck]

I am not sure what powder or bullet you were using with your .243 handloads but it seems unusual to me that a load with say 45 grains of powder worked up 1/2 grains at a time would cause such possible damage even if it ended up one or two grains over the max published load in the manual without showing some significant pressure signs with the "workup" loads. Know what I mean? Maybe it is something else?

[cwlongshot]

As I have said a hundred times every gun barrel is different. So as much as I want to say 2 Gr's over should not be a problem I cannot say that... I had a Rem 788 in 22-250 that I could not shoot factory loads in!!  The bolt was extremely hard to lift and the primer was smeared across the face of the brass!!
 
If you worked up to this loading in .5 gr increments and only at the last did you have a problem or hint of hi pressure. I bet your just fine and simply reached the limit for the "false" fitting.
 
Again impossible to say with certainty but this is my guess form the facts provided..
 
Look it over and the chances are favorable that you will be just fine.
 
CW

[keith44]

This was 100% my fault and I can't in good conscience ask the factory to fix it.  If I can't safely fix it, I'll have to junk it.

Learn from my experience everyone:

1) Wear shooting glasses
2) There is a reason we work loads up carefully - had I not done so, the result would have been very, very bad.
3) It's a good idea to check multiple sources for load data.

+1 We all get lax at one time or another.  Most of my reloads run about the middle or upper 2/3 of max. 

I would call the factory, I am sure they determine what happened and inspect everything for you.  At least it would give you peace of mind.

[quickdtoo]

I still think it would be best send it to H&R at least for inspection, they can magnaflux it and make sure there's no hidden damage particularly on the underlug. They may be able to tighten the barrel up with a longer barrel catch depending on where it's setback, either the pivot or the shelf, but that would require all of the barrels to be refitted. 

Tim

[ratdog]

send it to h&r get it checked out .you like your face and hands the way they are right now don't you.