Can you guess what caused this failure?

[Slick8]

Dang man, assuming you're okay since you were able to post. What's your thoughts as to what happened?

That's bad, the split goes to the recoil lug.

Looks like a custom barrel. Is it new?

 

[xsn10s]

In the 2nd picture I was trying to see what cartridge this rifle was built for. 300 something or other. Was a 325 wsm nearby? Possible mix up of ammo, obstruction, or wrong powder charge.

 

[xsn10s]

I looked closer that's a piece of the stock. David

Could be. But I think it's part of the front rest bean bag. The black vinyl section that blew off.

 

[PlumberEd]

Bore obstruction or wrong powder. Are you ok?

 

[wasskeet]

Once saw a Sendero 7 Rem mag that a less than wise fellow said he put the muzzle end against a stray dog and pulled the trigger. It looked very similar to this. The dog and him lived.

 

[Bob Wright]

Hope you're OK if you were behind or nearby.
The last photo of one I have seen a few years back was a cleaning rod left in the barrel. The shooter had a stuck case, popped it out, fired another round, and it looked similar to this.
We don't know yet, in this event. Could be literally anything....

 

[WeekendWarrior]

View attachment 283122

That is wicked. Fingers, eyes, and body in general intact?

Id put my money on over pressure. Looks like you used a fast burning powder and the deep flutes on the barrel split all the way to the firing chamber.

 

[lancetkenyon]

My opinion, 99% a bore obstruction.

Laser bore sight left in? I know 3 guys that have done this.
Cleaning rod? Patch? I know one guy that did this.
Squib load prior?

 

[BallisticsGuy]

Bore obstruction bore obstruction bore obstruction. Pressure in the chamber from a wrong powder would have opened up the part behind the barrel.

 

[257 STW]

Bore obstruction. Hope all involved are ok.

 

[257 STW]

In the 2nd picture I was trying to see what cartridge this rifle was built for. 300 something or other. Was a 325 wsm nearby? Possible mix up of ammo, obstruction, or wrong powder charge.

Looks like 300 WSM

 

[Korhil78]

Hope no one is hurt. My guess would be bore obstruction as well.

Good news is that you don't need to spend money on a bore scope to see if you got all the copper out now.

 

[sturner]

Dang

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

View attachment 283122

***! I sure hope that the shooter as well as bystanders are OK. Never seen something like this, but looks like a squib in the barrel and then a second shot.