I am not sure what happened

[chubcobear]

I was shooting today at my local range and shooting a Handi 22-250 with my reload of 37.2 grains CFE223 under 55 grain Sierra SP when the bullet fired (3rd of same load) and rifle popped open and lower third of the shell popped out with the remainder of the case still stuck in chamber.  Bullet never hit target that I could determine.  Weak case? Jammed case/too long?  I check and trim every time, but I guess I could have missed it?  Ever happen to any other Handi user?

[quickdtoo]

How's the headspace after you resize, case flush with the chamber face, or recessed some? You may be pushing the shoulder back too far creating excess headspace which will cause case head separations sooner or later.  How many times have the brass been reloaded? Could be the brass is worn out too. Pop opens can be caused by not closing the action firmly, a round that's not sized properly, or the most common, oil or solvent on the latch and/or locking shelf, happens a lot after cleaning at the range, been there myself!   

Tim

[44 Man]

Clubcobear, I just had a simular situation but without the pop-open part.  (thankfully!)  I have just received a new 7-08 barrel and took it to the range yesterday.  I had two different reloads; one loaded quite a while ago and some others carefully crafted to fit the chamber of my old barrel.  The old loads shot well but when I tried the new ones, I had great difficulty getting the action locked.  The were not sized enough for this barrel and the shoulder was preventing complete lockup.  This slight lack of engagement of the barrel caused the bullet strikes to be about 8" low but the barrel did not open.  The loads were  the same, just a grain less powder.  I shot the few I had so now I need to bump the shoulder back on the remaining brass that was sized for the old gun.  I don't know if your situation might be close to mine but it could be what caused your action to open.  As Quick said, check your cases in your chamber carefully.  Me?  I'm headed back to the reloading bench to re-adjust my dies as soon as I'm off here.  44 Man

[twoshooter]

The only pop open I ever experienced came after a blown primer. I was fireforming cases with about 14 gr of a shotgun powder topped off with cream'o wheat. I was using whatever left over primer was handy, and some were large pistol I guess. The primers just crumbled and the action popped open, ejecting the case. After about 3 of those out of 20 I went back in and dropped the charge to 10 gr and have never had the problem again. I think when the primer failed the gas pushed the latch off the shelf, the pressure was already released, and it is an ejector barrel, so it ejected. It never had a problem with regular loads.

[trotterlg]

The pop open and case head seperation are likely un-related, just happened at the same time.  Three or 4 reloadings with a hot 22-250 with a little extra head space will likey give you the results you have experienced.  Noting much to worry about, just limit the reloading numbers to ones that do not fail.  Larry

[chubcobear]

Gentlemen,women, thank you for the input.  I checked dies, sizing, chamber, and all and found everything OK.  There may have been solvent (Hoppes) on the latch and popped it open  I have had to check that in the past and did not check that day ( I store it in an upright rack).  Pop open was a surprise, but I will be careful latching up in future.  CFE223 may not be so good for 22-250 and I will go back to using H380, Varget and IMR4895.  I have been getting MOA with 50 and 55 grain and want this gun to be happy.  It is my best Handi shooter.  Thanks.

[gcrank1]

Make sure you snap it closed with some 'authority', it isnt a finely hand fitted rifle and needs some break in in this regard too. I is pretty easy to get on with the shooting part and be focused on that and close it up kinda soft.