[Picher]

The kind of destruction discussed here for both the 597 and Ruger had to be the result of very high pressures. Perhaps caused by having a dud round (or two) lodged in the barrel when the damaging round was fired. A plugged bore from dirt is unlikely to have caused the problem, but it's possible. Usually that results in a burst barrel near the muzzle.

It's highly unlikely that a double charge of powder could have been put in a case, since the loads are probably close to full-case. It's also unlikely that a FTF going off would have done that much damage, but I suppose it could have if the round went sideways in the breech and fired by catching the rim between the bolt and barrel face.

If you still have the rifle, check the bore to see if there is a slight bulge a few inches ahead of the chamber. If so, a bullet was lodged in the barrel near that point when the next one was touched off.

Bad metallurgy can also happen, as we've seen from recent Sako centerfire fluted barrel incidents where the barrels tore apart. However, these rimfire rounds don't normally generate as high pressures, so I wouldn't think it to be a metallurgy problem until checking out other things mentioned above.

Picher

 

[Picher]

Before you send the rifle away, take lots of good pictures of the rifle and all of the parts. Send some ammo with the rifle, but keep some as well.

Sometimes manufacturers will just say that it was the ammo and they don't bear any responsibilty, and they won't send the rifle back, so you won't win a court settlement.

I suspect that the ammo is to blame, but go ahead and send the rifle. You should at least get a new rifle out of either Remington or CCI.

Picher