Toby has written an article that he believes explains his accident with the Savage. In that article I think he points out the importance of sealing the breech plug face to the face of the barrel snuggly - I would not say cranked down tight, but tight enough that gasses do not escape by the face. If they are the cutting of the barrel face and plug have begun. As much as I shoot it really makes me wonder, but on the other hand when I remove the breech plug from my Remington and the tape is still pink and un-burned, I am banking on the fact that no gases are passing beyond the plug-to-barrel seal.

Here is the article...

http://www.hpmuzzleloading.com/industry.html