Bolt stuck closed, live cartridge on chamber

I swear I've seen this asked here, search foo is weak this evening. I have already removed both pins, separated receivers, then gently pried the bolt loose. Problem corrected. My question is how do I stop it from happening again?

Its a newer bushmaster xm15 factory gun. The cartridge I removed was dirty and greasy, but fits the chamber fine. It was a 55 grain soft point and the point was not mashed or sheared. Am I getting too much lube in the chamber when I clean? I have had only one other malfunction with this rifle, I blew out a primer and it got into the feed ramps.

On another note. Before this it made my first sub moa five shot group with barnes 53 grain xls.

Yes, no , maybe.
IF it happens again. POINT THE MUZZLE UP AND AWAY FROM YOU. Preferable in a safe area. Take one of your feet and use your heel against the charging handle to cycle. OR a sharp rap of the butt stock on something firm, with muzzle away from your head and safe direction.

Thanks Jim. Your a help. Too many variables? I was at an indoor range, they wouldn't take kindly to the hammer method, they don't give your fee back if you get kicked out for violating da rules.

Brass case?

Yes, brass.

readjust the sizing die, based on our pm.

Lube?

Lube in the chamber or sizing lube left on the brass is not nice for your gun.

You shouldn't have oil in the barrel for that matter. It can create too much pressure. If you use excessive oil after cleaning, run a couple dry patches down the bore before you shoot it.

I have to ask about the range rules issue. How exactly is performing a safe and properly executed clearing drill (mortar - up and downrange) more unsafe than walking around with a hot round?

One is really obvious. Casing the rifle and maintaining muzzle control can be done safely and discreetly. Shouldn't be any lube left on the ammo, could be some CLP running down the bore during storage, if the answer is as easy as cleaning the chamber and assuring a dry tube, I'll be happy.

Was there not the option of simply firing the round safely down range? That's typically how I deal with a live round in the chamber.

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Originally Posted by ray1970

Was there not the option of simply firing the round safely down range? That's typically how I deal with a live round in the chamber.

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^^ Thinking the same thing

That would have been nice, it was my plan, and the reason I was there, but when the trigger pull made a click instead of a bang plans changed. [facepalm]I

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Originally Posted by Jamnanc

That would have been nice, it was my plan, and the reason I was there, but when the trigger pull made a click instead of a bang plans changed. [facepalm]I

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Hmmm, I wonder what caused that?

How new is this firearm and how many rounds do you have through it?

If this is a relatively new firearm then my guess is to shoot it more to break it in. On a new firearm, I wont even think about anything until I have at least 200 rounds through it, and really not concerned until I have over 500 rounds through a new firearm. I will agree that leaving EXTRA lube in a barrel is not a great idea when shooting, I definitely disagree with folks when they say dont lube your barrel at all. I clean and lube every barrel on every firearm, if I'm concerned about the oil in the barrel I might take a patch and run it through when I get to the range before shooting, but keeping your firearms lubed during storage is only a great idea, and not at all dangerous so dont let folks scare you about lubing your barrels.

If this happens again and you are at the range, use the pogo stick method and it will come right out. Grab the charging handle with your thumb and forefinger and smack the butt stock on the ground or bench while pulling back on the charging handle.

If you ever want to see it or you have other questions hit me up and I would be happy to explain it better or help you out.

Did you recock the hammer and try it again?

How could I do that? The bcg was stuck closed.

Pull the rear Take-down pin, separate the upper & lower, then manually pull the hammer back. *** Warning*** Make sure the safety is engaged & working properly before re-assembling the rifle.

If it didn't go Bang the first time; not sure it would after trying this; YMMV

Hate to talk trash
but
I have hadthe same problem numerous times on my AR SBR with ammo from the group buys on the board.

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Originally Posted by electronman1729

Hate to talk trash
but
I have hadthe same problem numerous times on my AR SBR with ammo from the group buys on the board.

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Sorry goofed my post-^

This happened to me with Wolf ammo. I think the lacquer turned into JB Weld and fused the case to the chamber when it got hot. I was able to pull the charging handle pretty hard to get it released but the case was still in the chamber. After doing some research I found out I was pretty lucky that the extractor didn't break. I had to pour some cleaning solvent down the barrel and let it sit for a while. I then gently tapped it out with a steel rod. Not sure if the lubricant is adhesing to the barrel or not but if it happens in the future it may be worth a try to dump some solvent in and let it work before Pogoing it.

I think I have identified a magazine that this happens with. I'm going to mark it and see if it repeats with any others. The last time it happenned I was able to lever it out two hands on the charging handle thumbs on the upper.
So, for the experts. Is it possible to be a mag problem?

no

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Originally Posted by Jamnanc

Is it possible to be a mag problem?

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Not a chance.

The ammo is the problem. Chances are really good that the FL resize die is not pushing the shoulder back enough.

After the last failure, I reloaded the same cartridge into the mag and it fired fine. I'll get pics if it happens again.


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Originally Posted by Jamnanc

After the last failure, I reloaded the same cartridge into the mag and it fired fine. I'll get pics if it happens again.

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Most likely when the bolt slammed home, the chamber became the resize die and allowed the locking lugs to close.

You do realize that you just sentenced me to about three hours of chamber drop testing don't you? And if that doesn't go well, more hours of pulling on a kinetic puller.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jamnanc

After the last failure, I reloaded the same cartridge into the mag and it fired fine. I'll get pics if it happens again.



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Risky proposition. You stand a good chance of cramming the round deeper into the case and that can have bad JuJu

Cannelure was still showing. Any chance it has to do with soft points hanging up on the way in?