01-17-2017, 05:21 PM
In looking at picture 3 it appears that the cartridge case is visible and in picture 1 the bolt handle appears to be in the full forward position, if that is the case, then the bolt face is missing. The only real way to determine the cause of the catastrophic failure is to examine the grain structure of the steel under an electron microscope which is beyond the capabilities of the vast majority. I would suggest you contact Savage and arrange to send it to them for a full analysis.
Having said that:
1. Is the powder that you loaded with new or old? If it is new, have you loaded this load with the same lot number before. A given powder can change 10% within range and still be considered to be the same powder, so if one lot is on the low end of the spectrum and the other is on the high end of the spectrum, the effective difference between lots in this case could be as much as 8.0 gr.
2, Catastrophic failures can be the results of an increase in micro-fractures to the point that they finally give way. A micro-fracture could be caused by an overload at some point and the continual stressing will finally cause it to give way, again this can be determined by micro-structure analysis.
3. In picture 3 there appears to be some brass flowing which would be indicative of an overloaded case. There are also what appear to be heat striations on the front of the visible bolt, it may be powder residue, but it does appear to be blue in color. This was probably not the result of this single incident but may be cumulative.
Please send the rifle to Savage for analysis and let us know their findings
Having said that:
1. Is the powder that you loaded with new or old? If it is new, have you loaded this load with the same lot number before. A given powder can change 10% within range and still be considered to be the same powder, so if one lot is on the low end of the spectrum and the other is on the high end of the spectrum, the effective difference between lots in this case could be as much as 8.0 gr.
2, Catastrophic failures can be the results of an increase in micro-fractures to the point that they finally give way. A micro-fracture could be caused by an overload at some point and the continual stressing will finally cause it to give way, again this can be determined by micro-structure analysis.
3. In picture 3 there appears to be some brass flowing which would be indicative of an overloaded case. There are also what appear to be heat striations on the front of the visible bolt, it may be powder residue, but it does appear to be blue in color. This was probably not the result of this single incident but may be cumulative.
Please send the rifle to Savage for analysis and let us know their findings