Ejector question???

[ernie]

Hello Tim:

As we discussed off line I have one of the older ejector models that is not ejecting.  I gave everything a good cleaning - no luck, shells still will not eject.  I tried to load a shell case very slowly so the ejector would catch on the "rim."  I had to force the round into the chamber.  Could my chamber be too tight or be rough?  My next step is to polish the chamber.  I've seen everything on the FAQ from spinning a casing with a drill to using Mothers Chrome polish on the chamber.

Tim/Others:  Suggestions, techniques are welcome.

Ernie

[quickdtoo]

Welcome to GBO, Ernie...officially!! There are several options that I'd do to insure you don't have stuck brass. Not shooting milsurp ammo is number one, and making sure the chamber and ammo are clean and dry is paramount. The cleaning was the first step, polishing the chamber would be the next.

My preferred method is with a bore mop with a patch wrapped around it and a good metal polish. Put the bore mop on the tip section of a 3-pc cleaning rod, chuck it up in a drill and polish for a few minutes adding polish frequently.

If that doesn't solve the problem, or if you just want to go ahead and R&R the ejector to make it easier to clean up after the polish job, polish the ejector and add a BB ahead of the ejector spring to increase spring tension. I like to use a small machine bolt ahead of the spring, use the head as a spacer, the bolt cut down to about 3/8" to fit inside the spring and act as a guide to help keep the spring straight in the ejector housing. The bolt has to be cut short enough to allow the ejector full travel.

Read the ejector to extractor conversion links in the FAQ to learn how to R&R the ejector.

If you still have problems with stuck brass, you may have a defect in the chamber that will require you to send the rifle to H&R for repair. If that is the case, contact them and ask that it be repaired on their dime to cover shipping costs, their toll free number is in the FAQ also.

Hope this helps,

Tim

[ernie]

Well, I'm half way there.  Before you replied I wrapped a 3M scotch brite pad around a .22 bore brush.  Put it on the end of a rod connected to a variable speed drill, used plenty of Breakfree and spun it in the chamber.  I then cleaned out the chamber and the bore then did the same routine with 0000 steel wool.  Cleaned it out.  Then very carefully I put a new Remington out of the box cartidge in the chamber, closed the action then opened it - the round flew out.

The new round went into the chamber much easier than the old spent cartridge.  The old spent cartridge was a handload that the original owner sighted the rifle in with.  Perhaps that was the problem or maybe the chamber cleaning worked.  My plan is to just use new in the box "sporting" ammo.

I'll see if I can get to the range tomorrow and see what happens.

Thanks Tim.

[quickdtoo]

That's good new, always glad to get positive feedback!! FWIW, I just had my .280 Handi rechambered to Ackley Imp-Imp or more accurately .280 Imp-Imp since I can't shoot factory ammo in it. I beefed up the ejector since I'll be shooting hotter loads in it than standard .280, I had stuck brass in it when I got within 1gr of a max load, figured I may have that issue after the rechamber. With the ejector modification, even loading ammo that has the bullet .010" into the lands for fire forming, it will still eject the loaded round, encouraging news for me at this point!!

Most stuck brass that I've encounted has been barely stuck, in fact, many that have the problem regularly, just carry a short piece of metal with them while hunting to drop down the barrel to knock the brass out. I've had brass fly out on its own before I got a rod in the barrel at the range. Increasing the spring tension and a little polishing may be all that is needed to prevent the problem.

Tim

[ernie]

Your one of many serious shooters on the board. I envy you guys.   I'll probably go ahead and use the metal polish as you suggested - Flitz or JB bore stuff.

[quickdtoo]

Not too serious, just a sick Handiholic!!

Tim

[ernie]

My son and I took the rifle to the range today.  Used new in the box 30 06 Remington Core - Lock 150 grain ammo. The rife shot and ejected just fine.  Couple of lessons here for me:

1.  Never use someone else's handloads even though you know the person well.  I tell my students in my firearms courses that all the time.  Take my own advice.

2.  Clean the Handi-Rifle chamber real well.

3.  Investigate all options before heading to the pawn shop or spend money on a new barrel.  Luckily I got advice from Tim and from other posts.

[quickdtoo]

That's great news and lessons for everyone to learn from !!

Thanks for the report!!

Tim