Rim-fire Blow Out

[Johnnu2]

I was shooting my 10/22 Target (heavy bbl) recently (ammo is Federal Auto Match); it was shooting well and then suddenly something happened and the magazine blew-out of the gun with a loud noise and some smoke. I checked the gun out, checked the bore and checked the mag to see if it was intact and if the roller-thingie was still functioning with spring resistance. Once I was sure that everything was "OK", I fired a few rounds "one at a time" and then loaded 5 in the mag and kept shooting for the afternoon. When I got home, I disassembled the gun/stock, then the bolt (took out the firing pin and cleaned it) and the magazine. I found no unusual crud, dirt or damage anywhere other than the one portion of the mag roller that apparently was facing 'up' at the time of the incident. I'm thinking it was a case separation! I was NOT firing fast; was taking deliberate slow -action target shots.
ANY THOUGHTS/COMMENTS?
J.

 

[contender]

Did you happen to look for or find any empty brass to see if you had any bad ones?

 

[kmoore]

You should have looked over that brass right after you ejected it and know if your right.
My guess is the round was fired without bolt being fully in firing position. How? several ways. we won't know how. Firing pin stuck in firing position, crud on bolt face, maybe something prevented the round from fully chambering. Just a few possible ways. Unless it happens again and if it does have Ruger or a gunsmith check the gun. The smoke in action and blowing the mag out is a classic fired round when bolt not in full battery.

 

[TheTexasRAT]

Sounds as if one went off out of battery.

 

[Johnnu2]

Did you happen to look for or find any empty brass to see if you had any bad ones?

I did look around, but wasn't able to find it. I have to admit that it shook me and I probably wasn't at my best when looking for the brass. I did fire about another 25 rounds (after checking the gun carefully). No problems after that... will try it out again next week.
THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR THOUGHTS on this ..

J.

 

[Mobuck]

Most likely a one time occurrence. I shoot quite a bit of Federal AutoMatch through a 10/22 and haven't had any issues. I've not had (or seen) an OOB discharge but obviously it's possible.

 

[Johnnu2]

Update.... everything is still working well.... must have been a freak accident.

J.

 

[omt223]

Theyre blowback guns so they dont have to lock up perfectly and will still strike the case well enough to fire. I have had it happen with my PPK22 a couple of times. Clean out the chamber well and try some cleaner stuff that is less waxy has been my fix.