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597 magazine blew apart!

1.2K views 22 replies 10 participants last post by  Chris597  
#1 ·
I recently picked up a NIB, 597 in 22 magnum for a truck gun. I sighted it in with approximately 20 rounds of Winchester Super X 40 JHP's. I believe they are 1,810 FPS. The rifle shot a decent group but I wanted to try some Hornady 30 grain V-max @ 2,200 FPS, which I have plenty of. Upon firing the second round the bottom of the magazine blew apart breaking off the plastic bottom. As you may be able to see there is also a hole in the bottom of the rim. I know there was a recall with the 17 HMR but thought the 22 mag was okay to use. Is this an inherent problem with the 597 design or just a fluke? Maybe the extra 400 FPS is too much? Your thoughts? I'll try to post a photo.
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#7 ·
They came with plastic magazines when they first came out with the .22 mag. I purchased mine new soon after but It came with metal magazines. My friend bought his first then a few months later my wife bought me mine. I think also his would jam a little and looking back I think his came with one guide rail and mine came with 2 guide rails. So there were some very early changes at least for the .22 mag. Both of ours are the laminate wood heavy barrel models. I have shot mostly Remington 33gr v max and Winchester supreme 34gr.. no issues so I really think you just need the pot metal mags and only load em 5 rds. Yea I know says 8. Hope this helps.
 
#11 ·
Just checked this website, they have 597 wmr mags listed in stock(45), $23.46 each. I purchased 6 from the last year. You may need to scroll down to see them.


Ken
Thanks Ken! I saw that thread and checked out the link. It says there are 45 available.
Winchester ammo=KABOOM!
Winchester ammo=KABOOM!
It was a Hornady case that ruptured not Winchester. I shot twenty some rounds of Winchester with zero problems before switching to the Hornady and the second round of Hornady blew.
 
#12 ·
Contact Hornady and tell them what happened with your rifle and what ammo was used and damages incurred. Might want to skip using that ammo.
Oh, Hornady might want the rest of the ammo for diagnosis and should send someone to pick it up.
 
#13 ·
Well you’ve gotten a lot of bad information. Let’s begin here :
1. The 597 in 22 WMR and 17 HMR were recalled by Remington shortly after it’s introduction because..(wait for it) they routinely fired out of battery. (Ammo didn’t matter) Remington recalled the rifles and replaced them with a .22 lr.

2. Any autoloader can fire out of battery and they can and do blow out the magazines.

I have 5-6 22 mags and 17 HMRs I’d never ever ever ever shoot mine more that 10-15 rounds before I cleaned the chambers.


Not an ammo issue a design issue


In August 2009, Remington warned customers to discontinue use of the Model 597 in .17 HMR due to safety issues. The company asked that all Model 597 rifles chambered in .17 HMR, along with any Remington-brand .17 HMR ammunition, be returned to Remington, and offered reimbursement coupons in exchange.[6][7] A subsequent class-action lawsuit, William S. Yancey v. Remington Arms Company, LLC; Cascade Cartridge, Inc. a/k/a CCI Ammunition, complained that the amounts were below the original purchase prices of the rifles and ammunition, and that they were only good for purchase of further Remington products.[8]
 
#17 · (Edited)
I found a 17 mag recall:

Image

Link to wiki:

Remington Model 597 - Wikipedia

Too bad CZ dropped the Brno designed 22mag semiauto. I maybe wrong but I think there was a 17 version of the CZ toward the end. It seems the 17 is more difficult to build as a semi auto. Many have attempted and dropped the 22mag semi so I would ne hesitate to buy any 17 semi. Not to say I know-it-all after the fact. I dont.
 
#18 ·
I have a 597 22Mag and never had a problem with an out of battery detonation. I mainly use the old fashion Win JHP 45g ammo. I strictly hunt with mine usually Nutria so some days a few shots and others a lot. I absolutely clean the barrel, chamber and bolt face and extractors after each hunting session. I also only load 5 rounds in each mag. They are all metal magazines.