Savage Rifle 17 B-mag Explodes

[62131]

Had scary experience last week. I went to Colorado to do some prairie dog shooting. While shooting my 17 B-mag it exploded scared the heck out of me. I was using Winchester ammunition, after all the excitement, we looked closer into what happened, on the bolt of the rifle it only covers about 80 percent of the rim of the cartridge, it looks like I got a shell that had a thin spot around the rim and when I fired the rifle it blew out and the pressure of the shell came out of the 20 percent opening on the bolt and exited down thru the magazine and blew it out and took off the trigger guard, not sure what else has been damaged. I've contacted Savage Arms and will be sending it back for repair or replacement.

[sixball]

That should not happen for any reason with factory loads of the right caliber in a a factory rifle made for them. Make sure you save that case, any more you have fired, and the rest of that box. I'd contact the ammo manufacturer too.

I bought a Savage 110 in 243 for my son when he started deer hunting with me. While working up loads for it I accidentally over charged a case. I don't know if it was double charge or not, the easiest mistake to make. It was an obviously heavy load when it went off. I can not recall exactly but some of the bolt internals fell out when I opened the bolt. Nothing else was damaged. I gathered the parts and headed for my friend's gun shop. We inspected it and put the bolt back together. No new parts needed. It has taken several nice mule deer since with no problem at all. What happened to you is definitely something bot companies need to be aware of. You were lucky.

This guy was not as lucky I think he was shooting a Wetherby 7mm mag.

[62131]

I was not hurt at all luckily, after it happened and I realized what just happened  I immediately picked up the pieces and my spent cartridges opened the bolt and inspected that piece of brass. It clearly shows the case is separated from the rim and there was no obstruction in the barrel. All parts and ammunition was put back into the gun case and put back in the truck. I will be contacting Savage and Winchester Monday morning. 

[EDNY]

Glad that no one was hurt...

[sixball]

This is serious shi#!! We all have to be able to trust the industry both firearms and ammunition. Otherwise we are sticking our faces behind a bomb. I've been reloading since the '50s and have not always done it the right way. I blew up a 22 when I was 11 because I wanted to be like Davy Crockett. I knew nothing and there was next to nothing out there about what I was tryin to do. Evidently you were totally within the scope of rifle/ammo choices. As you can probably tell this really concerns me. I have guns that have owned/fired for decades that have never had a factory round through them. The basis for reloading is being able to depend on the industry standards.
I have a couple of and handguns that display a loaded chambered round with the bolt closed. I have wondered if this weakens the overall system. Handguns usually work at lower pressures that rifles. Savage is a quality brand both old and new. I've had a bunch of them and trust them.

[EDNY]

Some odds/ends:

https://www.savageshooters.com/showthread.php?69281-B-Mag-17-Firing-Problem


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0RBnbx2Ve0

[62131]

I've contacted Savage about my experience this past week. The first question they asked was if i was OK. Then asked me for the information off my rifle and my contact information and promptly sent me a questionnaire form and a UPS return label. They also wanted some spent cases and the one that separated. I told them I was saving that one for the ammunition manufacture but I would send them some pictures of it. 

[sixball]

I doesn't sound like you are the first one to have this happen. This load must have some serious pressure. From the history of the cartridge I'd say it should be a real tack driver. 

[Rattiac]

Scary stuff .  Glad your ok.

I watched this guys near death video. Amazing he lived.  Shed's some light on this older ammo people come accross and what to do in this type of emergency. 
https://youtu.be/1449kJKxlMQ

[chopper526]

Looks like it could be nasty stuff, and glad you are ok.
On a lighter note.................https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRK-xfInJk4

[EDNY]

Looks like it could be nasty stuff, and glad you are ok.
On a lighter note.................https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRK-xfInJk4

Music was great...really fit the ending!

[sixball]

Too stupid to have a match. Not enough magnesium! It needed some nails & ball bearings. What did he pan to use this on Halloween? Around other peoples kids? If he had killed himself we'd be looking at government approval to buy aluminum foil.