Checking Receiver for Cracks

[Bravo]

First, let me say that my experience with gun smithing is very very limited...like zero.

I bought a M1903 30-06 rifle last fall. It's parts come from different companies, and it was thrown in a sports stock.

After shooting a few rounds of M2 Ball ammo, I noticed that the base of the brass has a ring that is about 1/8" thick on the very bottom of the casing. This ring is more shiny than the rest of the brass.

The ring doesn't exist on the brass before firing, only after.

Also, there occasionally is some black residue on the neck of the brass after firing. I'm guessing this is because some gas is slipping back?

I was wondering the best way to check and make sure that the rifle is safe to continue shooting. I know that I could bring it to a gunsmith, (I bought it from one, and he said that it is ready to go), but is there a way to do it on my own first?

Also, would any of you consider the black residue or shiny ring a problem?

[toolman]

Without pics it's hard to say, but you may have a headspace problem. The deposits on the neck indicate that the case isn't sealing against the chamber walls properly and could indicate an eroded chamber. Is the ring on the side of the case, just above the base, or actually on the flat part of the base? If it's on the base itself, looking at the bolt face should show what's causing it. A ring around the case above the base indicates excess headspace. Moose or lefty can probably expound a bit more than I.

[Mooseman684]

we would like to see pictures of the brass (ring) ...
A lot of 30/06 will leave a little black around the case neck from wear in the chamber.
Rich

[Bravo]

I'll get some pictures up in a couple of hours. The shiny ring wraps around the case at the very bottom, on the body just above the notch used to extract the bullet.

[Bravo]

Ok, here are 2 pictures for now. Sorry for them being blurry, I will try to get better ones later on.

Here are the basic points..

1. There is black residue that is left at the neck of the case after every shot. I've tried to clean the chamber that they sit in, and it still leaves it.

2. There is a shiny ring at the bottom of the case after every shot. Almost as if this is the only part of the case that isn't expanding. It could also be because of the next point ...

3. For about 1" above the shiny ring, there are fine rings etched into the brass. If I run my nail across them, you can feel texture. They taper off as you go, and are more pronounced along that shiny ring. It's almost like an abrasive is being applied to the whole case except for the part at the base where it remains shiny.

So let me know what you guys think. This gun is old, and all of the parts aren't original. I just don't want it to blow up in my face...

The dealer that I purchased it from told me to bring it back right away if it doesn't work. Would you guys consider this a big enough issue to return the gun over?

I'll post better quality pictures later.

Thanks for the help guys.

[toolman]

I'm thinking that you've got a rough chamber and a bit of excess headspace. The ring at the base is caused by the case stretching back to meet the bolt face. The chamber can be polished up but, it may create even more headspace. I'm not real sure what to consider excessive, so maybe Moose can give you a better idea. If it's too much, you can remove the barrel, have the shoulder set back, and a new chamber cut, it just depends on how in love you are with this gun. You might want to see if the dealer will work with you on it.

[Bravo]

I don't love the gun enough to spend over $100 to make repairs, but I do like how it operates.

I wanted it to be a rifle that I could pink with with mil-surp ammo, shoot deer at 200 yards, and take down moose.

Now I'm thinking that I shouldn't use it as a moose gun, because maybe modern ammo might push it beyond it's breaking point?

What do you guys think?

EDIT: On a side note, it's really too bad that the rifle has this flaw, because the barrel is in very good cosmetic condition. I have yet to put it on a bench and see how it will perform at 100 yards, but plan to do so soon. I have only been firing Remington 150-grain Core-Lokt and M2 Ball Greek Surplus ammo.