what to do next???

[gdr1 0]

I bought a Browning x-bolt in 243 from a reputable UK company , at the same time I also bought some ammo from them. After i'd fired about 25 shots over the last 5 months, I check zeroed the rifle on my last outing. On returning home I started cleaning the rifle when I saw a black ring on the bolt face. I cleaned this off to find a spot on the bolt face which had been eroded causing a pit about 1mm in diameter and about .5mm deep. Rummaging through the empty cases I found one that had a black stained base with a hole between the primer and the case. The ammunition was new,not reloaded and came in a sealed box. The ammo company was well established and popular.I contacted the company where I got the rifle / ammo from and I am still waiting for a reply.

 

What would you do next???

[SNAP SHOT 194]

Take a photo of the bottom of the case you say is faulty, batch number, and a picture of the bolt close up macro setting even on a little point and shoot camera,

 

Go back to the gun dealer And ask them to replace the gun, IF this fails

 

then you have pictures to show them, or get them to repair the bolt at the very least.... good luck,

 

i wouldn't be happy if it happened to a new gun i bought.

 

 

 

Snap.

[DERBOY 18]

if it,s a new gun , then i would exspect it to be still in guarantee or a repair with a full 12month,s guarntee.if not its up to the shop to do their best.ALL u can do is wait and see, but don,t wait to long,as you need to use it .Had same prob with the head space on my rem after a couple months couldn,t get it accurate . keep ringing to remind them to sort it out . had new gun in 3 week . best of luck

[gdr1 0]

Got in touch with shop today. Sent them photos of both bolt face and empty case. They are going to get in touch with Browning and ammo company to let them fight it out. Hopefully all will be well.

Edited February 3, 2011 by gdr1

[SNAP SHOT 194]

just be careful it doesn't drag out between the 2 companies mate, in a bid to maybe throw you of the scent,

 

they sold you both the ammo and the gun, so it lays with them also...

[matt_hooks 188]

Your contract is with the gun shop. It's up to them to sort it out. If they've sold you something that, through no fault of your own, has caused damage to an item of your property then you would have a good claim against them for the cost of repairs. It's not up to the ammo company, or the rifle manufacturers, it's down to the shop to ensure you suffer no loss, and then it's up to them to try and get their money back from the manufacturers.

 

Quote them "sale of goods act". Any item they sell has to be "substantially as described, of reasonable quality and fit for purpose" and it would seem that the ammunition has fallen down on both of the last two.

 

This one might come under the "Consumer Protection Act" though, which comes in to effect when an item is sold that is dangerous.

 

You need to prove that there was a defect (self evident) You need to prove that damage was caused (usually damage to private property worth more than £275, the damaged bolt takes the rifle out of service so this would be above the threshold)

You need to prove that the damage was caused by the defect

and finally you need to be able to identify the producer.

 

In any court proceedings, the producer of the goods would be the one against whom action should be brought for a breach under the Consumer Protection Act. I would expect it never to get to court anyway.

 

So go back to the shop, and quote the CPA and SOGA to them. They'll normally fold once you show a bit of knowledge!

 

I do a good line in complaint letters if you don't get any luck from the shop. Be happy to pen you a little something to persuade them to do what the law says they must.

Edited February 4, 2011 by matt_hooks

[gdr1 0]

Cheers for the help/ advice. spoke to shop earlier today and they've already been onto the ammo company and also Browning to see about getting a new bolt. They said they were speaking to browning to see if it was a straight swap for the bolts , or if they need headspacing. I searched the www and couldn't find out myself.I'd have thought if they weren't interchangeable then the bolt would be serialised which it isn't. Will give them a few more days then i'll speak to them again. again many thanks

[DERBOY 18]

THAT,S VERY DECENT OF YOU THEIR MATT-HOOKS