no marks on the stock....

[Chunga]

So, it's been restocked and refinished...hmmmm...maybe $450 wasnt the world's greatest price after all...

Chunga, your bolt is straight-handled, for an early '03. Almost all of these had the same heat treatment as low numbered receivers, and not considered good to use for shooting. Are there any stamps on the bolt? (top/bottom of the bolt handle, top/bottom of the safety lug)

This concerns me. What do you mean by straight-handled? The 2nd shot I fired was an overcharge or something, as the primer blew out of the brass. Also, there are little bits and a fairly clear impression of the brass around the firing pin area. Seems like if the reciever was weak, this would have blew me out along with the primer. The only markings on the bolt that I can see are an "R", a mispressed symbol that I cant make out and a simple punchmark under the bolt handle.



Thanks for all the replies, everyone

-Chunga

[Mike D]

For $450, you did very well. You have a fine shooter.

If there is an impression on the boltface, you could have a headspace issue. Some of the more experienced shooters here could tell more about that and the primer blowout.

Can you take a pic of the impression on the boltface?

Here is a pic of an 03A3 bolt. Notice the handle is slightly swept back. Straight handles like yours are not recommended for shooting.

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[ut1seabee]

You could have done a hell of a lot worse,looks to be a nice shooter.Finding the correct bolt body for that weapon is no problem, 03A3 bolts are everywhere. Check headspace,fill 'er with M2 ball and let 'er rip. Congrats, have fun.

[Chunga]

Best I can do with my camera. Can definitely see the impression, though. That shot kicked like a mule...

[Mike D]

Some of the more experienced shooters could probably tell you more, but I'll bet you need a new bolt body. Sending PM.

[JGaynor]

"old remington hunting rounds. First shot was at 11 o'clock 3 inches...the second down an inch from that(the primer blew out of the back of the shell on that one o.0)...for my last shot, I aimed off a bit and caught the bottom edge of the black bullseye. WOW"

For a primer to blow out the pressure is excessive or there is some other defect in the ammunition. Is it possible these are reloads? maybe put back in a factory box?
In any case:
1. Have a competent gunsmith check the headspace.
2. Discard the remaining ammo or if you reload, break it down to components and discard the propellant and primers. Inspect the cases closely. Do they have Remington headstamps or something else?
3. If you still have any of the fired cases from your trip to the range you might want to take them along when you go to the gunsmith. Excessive pressure usually leaves certain signs.

Regards,

Jim