Problem with Ruger Hawkeye 308, bought used, had barrel shortened by reputable smith in BC canada.

Problem, fired four rounds of factory 147 gr loads and had to force the bolt to open.
Hopefully I can send photos of cartridge.
Any thoughts, thanks from Whitehorse Yukon Canada.

Need photos of the primers

Looks like the marks on the cases may indicate a problem with the chamber of the rifle. Unfortunately it may need to go back to Ruger. Unless you're willing to possibly pay for a replacement barrel yourself.

[email protected] said:

Problem, fired four rounds of factory 147 gr loads and had to force the bolt to open.
Hopefully I can send photos of cartridge.
Any thoughts, thanks from Whitehorse Yukon Canada.

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What brand of factory ammo were you using? I remember having a similar issue, with one type of ammo, when I owned an FAL.

If you used 147 gr FMJ, box probably said 7.62x51 (NATO), not .308. I think there really is a difference in the rounds, enough to cause problems in a tight-chambered rifle.
My opinion

Problem: zero diagnostic information.

Try giving us some details.

[email protected] said:

Problem, fired four rounds of factory 147 gr loads and had to force the bolt to open.

Click to expand...

So let me get this straight....you tried only one type of ammunition and it possibly isn't even the correct ammunition for a 308 and you are questioning the fitness of the firearm?

…. Rough crowd this morning ….

kjack said:

If you used 147 gr FMJ, box probably said 7.62x51 (NATO), not .308. I think there really is a difference in the rounds, enough to cause problems in a tight-chambered rifle.
My opinion

Click to expand...

This is very likely,. I once had some Venezuelan 147 gr FMJ 7.62 NATO, worked in my FAL, sticky bolt lift in my Ruger 77 mark II in .308 Winchester.

The range officer, a retired British SAS soldier, told me its the ammo, external dimensions may be close, but the brass and the load is different.

One thing for sure had nothing to do with sticking cases in chamber was the shortening of the barrel at the other end.

Just looking at the brass, it sure looks like there are ridges in the chamber that the brass fireformed to, causing difficult extraction.

7.62x51 is lower pressure, so unless it was made in a facility with questionable QC, that's probably not the issue.