I have a Tikka T3 Lite Stainless in .243 Winchester. Was at the range today working up some loads. was watching the case and primer pockets closely for signs of pressure and all looked good. continuing, i loaded a cartridge, fired, and it went off as normal, followed by some blue smoke leaking out from the bolt face. when the smoke cleared, i tried to eject the shell, and it was stuck. pulled a little harder on the bolt and it came out, leaving the shell in the chamber. the primer pocket was empty, so the primer must have blown out. used my cleaning rod from the muzzle end and pushed out the empty brass fairly easily, only to see the extractor and a little pin fall on the floor with it.
it seems obvious there was too much pressure, but i had no telltale signs.
i have read some posts on here about federal brass having soft primer pockets, so maybe one was a bit loose....this was the 1st reload in a factory shell though. or more likely i just made a load error....dunno.
anyway, can the bolt extractor be repaired, or do i need to replace the entire bolt? and if it can be repaired, can you suggest a good gunsmith in the Vancouver area who can do this.
thx in advance.
it seems obvious there was too much pressure, but i had no telltale signs.
i have read some posts on here about federal brass having soft primer pockets, so maybe one was a bit loose....this was the 1st reload in a factory shell though. or more likely i just made a load error....dunno.
anyway, can the bolt extractor be repaired, or do i need to replace the entire bolt? and if it can be repaired, can you suggest a good gunsmith in the Vancouver area who can do this.
thx in advance.
