Im no scientist or gunsmith, but holes in a barrel for scope mounts dont make the barrel any less thinner at that part of the barrel. It would seem that the powder charge would be in that same location as the scope holes. Hence, a improperly loaded charge would be a likely cause of the barrel bursting. In my opinion there is no way for sure to determine the exact cause of what happened, unless when you loaded the gun it was done by a team of experts on hand, then mabey we'd at least have a clue to waht happened. Im sorry for your mishap and Im glad your O.K. that's what really matters. But the true facts may never be known. I hope you find a cause to what really happened, and if in fact CVA was to blame then they should be accountable for it, but in this sport Safety and Good Gunmenship come first,and when we decide to join in this sport we better know the concequences to what may happen if we fail to do what is expected of us when we pick up a firearm. Dont be fast to blame the Manufacture when a mishap of our own doing occures. This is My Opinion and May God Bless you and your Famiy!