Ruger Mini-14 .223 Series 185, S/S, (Yeah, I know, but please overlook that, I need to know
First time ever for me, after thousands of rounds shot in my lifetime (not this gun, tho!), case separation, happened this morning. Have no broken case extractor, had to disassemble gun down to removal of barrel from receiver (easy, surprisingly), made up a narrow sharp chisel and slit broken case down towards the neck, within the chamber, then folded inward, cleaning rod from muzzle easily pushed out broken case. Looked over the ammo, it was reloads several years old, maybe many times reloaded, figgered cases were thinned, but went ahead and fired 10-15 more, second time, case separates. Got it out, brought out some different ammo, once-fired reloads, same thing again. Did not have enough factory new to waste 10 or 20 rounds, so not positive it's the fault of the ammo, but beginning to suspect the rifle. I've used it several years, maybe 200 rnds. fired, first time this has happened.
Not experienced with this sort of thing, would appreciate help, ideas. What I see is they all separated, 5 of them now (getting sick of disassembling this gun!), just forward of the unsupported part of the case, maybe 3/8-inch into the chamber. Now, same ammo lots fired in AR-15 have always worked perfectly, including today. Should mention: one round which did NOT separate, but failed to extract, the "claw" ripped the edge of the case groove off, and the case came out of the chamber with mild tapping on the cleaning rod.
What have I got here? Headspace excessive? How do you check it on Mini-14? Chamber oversize/wrong dimension at head end? The rounds drop into the chamber with no binding. What would you-all's recommendation be?
Appreciate it, in advance! Massair
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First time ever for me, after thousands of rounds shot in my lifetime (not this gun, tho!), case separation, happened this morning. Have no broken case extractor, had to disassemble gun down to removal of barrel from receiver (easy, surprisingly), made up a narrow sharp chisel and slit broken case down towards the neck, within the chamber, then folded inward, cleaning rod from muzzle easily pushed out broken case. Looked over the ammo, it was reloads several years old, maybe many times reloaded, figgered cases were thinned, but went ahead and fired 10-15 more, second time, case separates. Got it out, brought out some different ammo, once-fired reloads, same thing again. Did not have enough factory new to waste 10 or 20 rounds, so not positive it's the fault of the ammo, but beginning to suspect the rifle. I've used it several years, maybe 200 rnds. fired, first time this has happened.Not experienced with this sort of thing, would appreciate help, ideas. What I see is they all separated, 5 of them now (getting sick of disassembling this gun!), just forward of the unsupported part of the case, maybe 3/8-inch into the chamber. Now, same ammo lots fired in AR-15 have always worked perfectly, including today. Should mention: one round which did NOT separate, but failed to extract, the "claw" ripped the edge of the case groove off, and the case came out of the chamber with mild tapping on the cleaning rod.
What have I got here? Headspace excessive? How do you check it on Mini-14? Chamber oversize/wrong dimension at head end? The rounds drop into the chamber with no binding. What would you-all's recommendation be?
Appreciate it, in advance! Massair
