I thought about the hot load scenario. I know the S&B and the comm-bloc stuff have different powders. I'll see if I can find some data on the cartridges. I don't see threads from what I can see on the plug, but may have stripped on it pushing out. I may do some cutting tomorrow on the barrel to see. I've kinda closed up shop. As thick as that barrel is, it should withstand alot of pressure. It looks like the whole weld came up with the plug. It fired ok the previous 12 rounds. I had it less that .030. The commercial ammo did have a brass case instead of a steel case, so maybe the brass flexed more than the stell case. I'm not 100% sure of the cause yet. I matched the case up to where the plug is and there was no forward/aft movement of the cartridge. I'll call Wildhorse in the morning. They may have some insight on this. I'll post my findings.

I spoke with them about the plug pushing out. They recommend steel cased ammo only as brass flexes alot and is less predictable. 5 barrels are pressed and welded, most are threaded and welded, and some rechambered. I asked if I could return for repair in Nov as that is when I'll be back and he's ok with that.

I think it was a combo of the pressed plug on mine and the brass cased ammo. i changed the hammer spring to a heavier spring before the plug issue and it would still not set off the steel cased primers. It appears the firing pin I made will have to be longer. I'll turn another firing pin and make it longer to compensate for the primer being sunk deeper in the case. I really have to whack the the steel case primer hard to set it off and the strike marks are deeper. I think the combo of a longer firing pin and the strong spring will allow steel case primers to be fired.

That bar looks great and sturdy. I look forward to seeing this come together. Is anyone else on the group buy building or is it just Mech and myself? I'll be working a striker system for these. I know others have done a striker system, but as stated in my first post on this, ya gotta have a Top Secret clearance, know the secret water buffalo handshake, etc. I also have some radical ideas on my next SG build as well.

Baton passing time: I hate to start and stop, but I'll be traveling the next 3-4 days and have closed shop until Nov when I return. With the environment and internet connection, I won't be on as much. I'll keep looking in as this whole world of building firearms as become the bain of my existance.lol.