Weekend Inland Mishap

[American Patrol]

I took my mixmaster inland out to the desert last Saturday. After shooting the gun about 30 times the oprod-side bolt lug sheared off spilling the extractor and ejector w/spring stayed in the mag. well. The receiver and stock was not damaged at all. My son who was shooting at the time was not injured.

We were using CMP Aguilla (sp?) ammo and the gun was in really nice condition and I have shot it many times before without mishap.

Has this ever happened to anyone else? Is aguilla ammo very high pressure? I am looking for a nice condition bolt to replace the destroyed one. Anyone know of a good source? What should I look for or consider when buying a replacement bolt.

Regards

RSM

Information

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[Minnesota Joe]

Wow! I hope it's not the ammo -- just ordered a bunch from CMP two weeks ago. Glad your son is alright.

[BrianQ]

It's not the ammo. The likely cause is a burr on the left receiver rail that impedes the smooth rotation of the bolt. It is also possible the bolt was damaged while it was in a different receiver and finally let go.

[M1Cghost]

Way too tight of head space caused those bolt destructions, thats all there is to it, barrel or bolt change on the receiver without head space guage used!! Plain and simple.

It's not the ammo. The likely cause is a burr on the left receiver rail that impedes the smooth rotation of the bolt. It is also possible the bolt was damaged while it was in a different receiver and finally let go.

[M1Cghost]

Too much powder in reloads could also cause the problem, but it looks like head space for sure!!

Way too tight of head space caused those bolt destructions, thats all there is to it, barrel or bolt change on the receiver without head space guage used!! Plain and simple.

[BrianQ]

Way too tight of head space caused those bolt destructions, thats all there is to it, barrel or bolt change on the receiver without head space guage used!! Plain and simple.

So I guess you know that because you were there when they broke? Which fly on the wall were you?

[frankderrico]

BrianQ, your examples look to be all flat bolts. Is this more common in flat bolts? Thanks....Frank

[American Patrol]

The bolt that came apart on me was a flat bolt as well. It had great original finish and appears(used to appear) almost new.

Regards

RSM

[BrianQ]

The single bolt pictured is a round bolt and it is very close to completely separating.

One of the design changes incorporated into the round bolt was done to make them less susceptible to breaking but they can and still fail in the same spot.

[frankderrico]

Brian thanks,
American Patrol, so glad your son was not hurt. Did you have a round or flat bolt in the rifle?....Frank