First .223 reloads - Sucess and Major FAIL

[00BUCK]

So it looks like the bottom line is a squib - most likely because of a round with too light of a charge - left a bullet in the bore. Thankfully the bullet didn't travel far enough for you to chamber a round with the bolt going to full battery. There is an angel somewhere looking out for you. It's a tough call on the barrel. The pressure had to go somewhere - if you were lucky the bullet never went fully into the bore and the gasses blew past the bullet before it fully engaged the rifling. Worst case it damaged the barrel. Did you save the squib bullet and case? You should be able to tell by looking at the bullet if any gasses went past it. If you saved the case is the primer bulged or the case bulged / cracked anywhere? If the primer looks OK and the bullet shows signs of gas burns then your barrel might be OK. I don't know if there is a machine shop or gunsmith around that can check the bore or MPI the barrel.

[Dan W]

If there was not enough pressure to grenade the out of battery cases, there is no way it had pressure spikes that could have bulged the barrel

[00BUCK]

If there was not enough pressure to grenade the out of battery cases, there is no way it had pressure spikes that could have bulged the barrel

True enough but we aren't talking about the out of battery rounds, we are talking about the squib round.

[Dan W]

True enough but we aren't talking about the out of battery rounds, we are talking about the squib round

That round did not have any pressure either, thus the stuck bullet in the throat

[Oleshome]

Well if nothing else I know how to stir up some discussion. 

[00BUCK]

That round did not have any pressure either, thus the stuck bullet in the throat

So you've inspected the projectile, the case and the bore? NO? You are assuming that everything is fine, which is a very dangerous and foolish stand to take given the subject matter. He should have the barrel inspected. Any advise other than that is bad advice.

[Dan W]

So you've inspected the projectile, the case and the bore? NO? You are assuming that everything is fine, which is a very dangerous and foolish stand to take given the subject matter. He should have the barrel inspected. Any advise other than that is bad advice.

Any advice is worth what you pay for it. 

What excessive high pressure event do you think caused this damage?