Alternative 7.62 brass

I narrowed the cause of the pressure excursion soon after the event took place.
It was commercial .308 brass. The cause, as best determined, was a moderate loading of 4198 powder behind a 170 gr 30WCF FP bullet with gas check.Used many times with jacketed 150 gr bullets)
I had sworn off GC lead cast bullets in ALL bottle neck cases. In violating
the rule....these bullets were commercial over 20 years old so both the lube and
GC crimping were ancient. Member-never again club.

Years ago, a gunsmith explained to me his close calls with bottleneck cases and supposed "crimped" gas checks. If the GC separates and lands on the powder or is stuck in the cartridge neck, it is an obstacle...

Numrich offers a stripped Ishapore bolt head. While it may be a possible headspace question, Goosic is correct in that the bolt/bolt head was exposed to
excessive pressure. I am going to replace the bolt head. Reasonably priced.

I also think the Ishapore 2A1 Indian rifles with their steel history may rank below the 1898 Krag with one locking bolt, which would let go if pushed by
excess pressure.

450 Fuller wrote: I narrowed the cause of the pressure excursion soon after the event took place. It was commercial .308 brass.  I also think the Ishapore 2A1 Indian rifles with their steel history may rank below the 1898 Krag with one locking bolt, which would let go if pushed by excess pressure.

All of these factors have been considered. 7.62 brass is stronger than commercial .308 indeed.
This $40 -original cost- rifle will be relegated to wall-hanger status.

Back to my Garands and pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters, which saw service in WWII
and Korea-Vietnam. Life is too short.
As a Vietnam combat veteran, and former Federal agent- I have had enough close calls for 3 people.