Crap

Took the new toy to the range Sunday.  Brought along some 454 ammo loaded just shy of 1600 F/S out of my revolver with 300 grain Hornady XTP-Mag bullets.  My first shot at a weed on the 100 yard bank was a direct hit.  Fired maybe half a dozen while standing there and began falling in love with the Rossi lever action.

I then set up the chronograph.  Three rounds ran about 2250 F/S with the 300 grain bullet.  That's right there with 300 grain 45-70 factory ammo.

Just to see if it will function with 45 Colt, I loaded 3 rounds and fired those with no problem at all.

I then loaded 2more 454 cartridges in the magazine and fired the first one, but not the second.  The action locked up.  The lever moved a little, but the bolt was, and still is, locked tight.  According to the Hornady manual, that load is not maximum, and my chronograph verifies that.

After I got home, examination revealed a round hole in the right side of the receiver where it appears a pin used to be.  It appears a pin broke.  So why?  My ammo is not loaded to maximum pressure.  Could the slightly shorter 45 Colt have left something that caused the 454 pressure to increase?  Could it be a faulty part?  Or will this rifle only tolerate much lighter loads?

Damn.  A brand new shiny toy and I broke it.