.300wm bolt stuck after firing Barnes VOR-TX 180 TTSX BT

[fmyth]

I am preparing to head to WY on Nov 2nd for my elk unit 124 hunt. I mounted a new scope and took my rifle to the range to sight it in. I shot a box of cheap Remington Core Lokt 180s through it and got sighted in at 200 yards. I then fired 3 rounds each of Hornady Precision Hunter 180 AB's, Nosler Trophy Grade 180 AB's and Federal Premium 180 AB's. I then shot one Barnes Vor-TX 180 TTSX BT and the bolt stuck and I could not eject the case. The range master helped me get it unstuck with a small rubber mallet and then used a rod to get the stuck case out. The primer had blown out and the area around the primer looked "burnt". I am looking for advice on what to do next. I did fire a few more rounds of Hornady after and everything seemed ok. Should I pitch the Barnes and take the rifle on my hunt? Or drop it off at a gun smith and take my back up rifle on my trip. With only a week before I leave for my hunt I doubt I'll find a smith to work on it before I go.

Rifle is a Thompson Center Compass in .300 WM with about 100 rounds fired. First time ever using the Barnes ammo.

I have a equally cheap Savage Axis in 7mm-08 with a Leupold 3x9-40 (shoots well at 200yds but stays in the truck as a backup) and a Tikka 6.5c with a SWFA 6x40.

 

[Conrad101st]

Call Barnes. They may want you to send the box of ammo back to Barnes so they can analyze it. I’m sure they will compensate you.

Assuming no other brands are showing signs if case failure or primers backing out, find another load and go hunt.

Just my opinion.

 

[Fatcamp]

You know what we think.

 

[fmyth]

You know what we think.

Hit it with my purse and send it?

 

[fmyth]

Call Barnes. They may want you to send the box of ammo back to Barnes so they can analyze it. I’m sure they will compensate you.

Assuming no other brands are showing signs if case failure or primers backing out, find another load and go hunt.

Just my opinion.

Good suggestion. I'll call Barnes on Monday. Heading to a range on Tues where I can shoot out past 200 yds and will see what happens. Thank you.

 

[Fatcamp]

Hit it with my purse and send it?

The Tikka, bud. This is Rokslide.

 

[fmyth]

The Tikka, bud. This is Rokslide.

That was my original plan but my WY friend who is helping me insists that my 6.5cm is not enough for unit 124. It's a pretty open windy area and he thinks I'll likely have a 400+ yard shot.

 

[fraz01]

First thing is check your bolt face for pitting and give it a good cleaning. Have the lot number for the cartridges when you call Barnes. If the bolt is pitted I would be letting them know this as well. Rifle should be fine, Take it to a smith if your not comfortable inspecting it. The ejector needs inspected to make sure there is no brass that flowed into the ejector bore as well. Let us know if Sierra is fielding calls at Barnes as they bought the company a while back.

 

[WCB]

Honestly...check your bolt for damage....if nothing then grab a different brand and go hunting.

 

[fmyth]

Honestly...check your bolt for damage....if nothing then grab a different brand and go hunting.

Bolt looks fine to me but I'm no gun smith. I'll try to get a good pic and post it up.

 

[fmyth]

Called and emailed Barnes. Here are some pics of the bolt face.

 

[JFK]

Is that primer sized ring on the bolt face just carbon or is it pitted?

 

[WCB]

Bolt looks fine to me but I'm no gun smith. I'll try to get a good pic and post it up.

Look for damage to your lugs on your bolt. pitting on the bolt face is not a huge issue. If you shot more rounds and the brass looked normal and everything functioned fine, I wouldn't worry about it.

If the bolt is pitted or etched from the Barnes round I would let them know and try to get compensated but it really will have no effect on the firearms performance.

 

[Doc Holliday]

If any of the ABs grouped well, take those and toss the Barnes in the trash.

 

[Dhbwa]

Call Barnes. They may want you to send the box of ammo back to Barnes so they can analyze it. I’m sure they will compensate you.

Assuming no other brands are showing signs if case failure or primers backing out, find another load and go hunt.

Just my opinion.

Just to double down... This ^^

The Vor-Tex ammo I have shot is far from hot. Barnes needs to know.....

 

[fmyth]

Barnes is sending me a call tag to ship the ammo back to them,

 

[Crowmangler]

Just curious if you had any follow up info on this issue. I had considered trying the Barnes ammo but I'm reading a lot of negative stuff about their QC, etc.

 

[fmyth]

Just curious if you had any follow up info on this issue. I had considered trying the Barnes ammo but I'm reading a lot of negative stuff about their QC, etc.

Sent the ammo to Barnes. Turns out I was sold unknown ammo in a Barnes box at the local gunshow.

 

[11boo]

Gun show reloads. This was a learning experience OP. Damn lucky you didnt blow the gun up.

 

[Wapiti1]

Sent the ammo to Barnes. Turns out I was sold unknown ammo in a Barnes box at the local gunshow.

That was going to be my comment. Barnes doesn't use PMC brass, they use their own Barnes head stamped brass.

Glad nothing more severe happened.

Jeremy