The first custom rifle I ever bought, about 30 years ago, was a .270 Win built on a Mauser action. It was a beautiful rifle by a well regarded custom gunsmith and a very fine stock maker. The rifle looked to be unfired. I bought it at a gun show because I knew the stock maker and was aware of the gunsmith's reputation.
The first round I fired blew a primer. I was using a mild hand load made with new W-W brass. I had been hand loading for about 30 years at that point and had never had a blown primer. I packed up and did what I should have done first: I went straight to my gunsmith and had him check the chamber.
As you might now expect, the headspace proved to be excessive. He was able to remedy the problem and the rifle became one of my favorites over the years, taking many critters throughout the western U.S. However, I learned my lesson. I never take any rifle that is not factory new to the range without having the chamber checked by a gunsmith.
Last edited by mudhen; 06/08/16.
