Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: seth30 on December 31, 2011, 04:46:06 PM

Title: Expanding too far?
Post by: seth30 on December 31, 2011, 04:46:06 PM: I was duck hunting this morning, and had a flock of mallards fly in. I shot the first one, and as I racked my shotgun I noticed the second shell didnt load but stove piped. I pull it out with my fingers and see that my retractor didnt grab the empty shell. Turns out the shell expanded so much that it was stuck. It took any chance I had of shooting antoher bird away for today. I was shooting a mix of kent #4's which cylce fine, and a handful of Winchester xpert HV steel shot #2. Well I only shot one and had that happen, so I dont plan on using the rest of them. When I got home I used my cleaning rod to push the shell backwards in order to get it out of the barrell. I had to use a lot of force to move it, and have never had that happen before. I checked my barrel, and it looks good, my retractor looks good and doesnt have any damage or buildup on it. Do you think it was a ammo issue, or a sign of things to come on my gun?
Title: Re: Expanding too far?
Post by: CP on December 31, 2011, 04:56:28 PM: I suspect that it is your gun Seth. The base of the shell is sticking in the chamber, maybe it’s hanging on something like a pit or a burr or maybe it’s just getting rough. Try cleaning and polishing the chamber.
Title: Re: Expanding too far?
Post by: seth30 on December 31, 2011, 04:57:41 PM: Tomorrow morning I will try that out before my afternoon hunt. How far back should I isnpect for a burr?
Title: Re: Expanding too far?
Post by: CP on December 31, 2011, 05:01:19 PM: At least the length of the "brass" but better to check the whole chamber (3" ?)
Title: Re: Expanding too far?
Post by: seth30 on December 31, 2011, 05:01:49 PM: Yes I only shoot 3"
Title: Re: Expanding too far?
Post by: singleshot12 on December 31, 2011, 05:07:49 PM: I usually shoot the same 3" brand through my 870 and Mossberg, only the 870 does that on occasion
Title: Re: Expanding too far?
Post by: iusmc2002 on December 31, 2011, 07:54:53 PM: Quote from: CP on December 31, 2011, 04:56:28 PM
I suspect that it is your gun Seth. The base of the shell is sticking in the chamber, maybe it’s hanging on something like a pit or a burr or maybe it’s just getting rough. Try cleaning and polishing the chamber.

x2 on that. Possibly rusty from being in the weather? (I know we always have nice weather in WA, but check anyway :chuckle: ) It wouldn't take much rust for it to effect the soft brass of the shotty shells
Title: Re: Expanding too far?
Post by: bloodhound on December 31, 2011, 08:00:37 PM: i bought some pmc shells one time for shooting clays, and every single one jammed in the chamber. if i put in a different brand shell it would work fine. i would say some guns dont like certain shells.
Title: Re: Expanding too far?
Post by: elkslayer069 on January 01, 2012, 08:36:57 PM: what the model and make of gun?
Title: Re: Expanding too far?
Post by: Quackin_Archer on January 01, 2012, 09:01:31 PM: I get that with kents from time to time. Actually just had it happen two days ago. I keep a knife in my blind bag and just use it to get the shell out. Takes knife and needlenose. Happens. Guns prob fine.
Title: Re: Expanding too far?
Post by: ICEMAN on January 01, 2012, 09:34:32 PM: The stakes I use for my duck blind are plastic coated and could be used to tap a sticky shell out.... Hope you figure out what the problem was Seth!
Title: Re: Expanding too far?
Post by: seth30 on January 02, 2012, 03:09:34 PM: Quote from: elkslayer069 on January 01, 2012, 08:36:57 PM
what the model and make of gun?
Mossberg model 500
Title: Re: Expanding too far?
Post by: seth30 on January 02, 2012, 03:10:13 PM: I inpected my gun and found nothing wrong. It must have been that shell? Or possible the wet weather :dunno: