Question for Fred

[handirifle]

I went out to the range this AM testing several loads and calibers.  One caliber was the new 338-06.  My question is how can you tell if you're getting light primer strikes or if it's bad primers?

Had about 5 misfires, two of which went off after multiple tries.  Never had this issue with this rifle before, BUT (it's a big 0ne ) I just rebarreled it to the 338-06 from a 30-06, so I know headspace COULD be an issue.  I used proper headspace guages (Forstner go, no-go) when setting it up.  This is the 4th barrel swap os similar setup and the first time I had the no-fire issue.

My primers are in factory boxes, in a plastic case in the garage.  They are CCI 200's.

I have more questions on pressures, but am out of time at this moment.

[handirifle]

Is Fred around?

[Fred M]

handirifle.
Because of the gap and springy action issue, a Handi should be chambered with zero head space. When I did my 257R and the 6x47 my smith used new unfired brass and reamed the chamber so the case was flush with the face of the barrel.

The stretch of the action will lengthen the case and the shoulder needs to be set back so the case is flush again with nothing sticking out past the face of the barrel. Die setup is critical.

If you have head space you should fire form all your brass with cream of wheat and 700x powder. The cases have to be lubed so they will fully expand in the chamber tight against the standing breech and not cling to the chamber walls.
I use Crisco for lube.

I would say you need a new hammer spring, I had to replace mine. You need consistent ignition for good accuracy. You can find firing pin tuning on my web site. You be surprised how much resistance there is in the return spring and the rough pin seat. I used a trigger scale to measure the resistance against the back of the firing pin.

Also turn the hammer extension down under the hammer and nib a 1/4" off the top of the hammer.

With hammer extension 1/4" forward you decrease the hammer radius and get more hammer speed. These few little things will help a lot with primer ignition.

CCI primers are hard use Winchester of Federal.

[handirifle]

Well, I hate to admit, I forgot to mention it is my Savage bolt this occured in.  Sorry, for the omission.

Will try other primers though.

[Fred M]

Thanks a lot you made my day.

[handirifle]

I don't get it?  Not a Savage fan?  This is a barrel swap I did.

[ONE HOLE 4570]

Fred,

What kind of charge did you use with the cream of wheat & 700X
Did you use wax to plug the case so the cream of wheat would stay in the case??

[Fred M]

One hole 45.
I fill the case with 700x flush to the top and weight the powder. I start with with 25% of that weight.

Lube the case outside with Crisco put in the powder an fill the case with rammed down Cream of Wheat. Close the top of the case with Crico.

If the fire form is not perfect add a little more powder.

A golf ball with a right fitting steel bit makes a fine ram. The tighter you can get the cream of wheat the better the foming will turn out.

The Crisco and the Cream of  wheat sure cleans the barrel.

[ONE HOLE 4570]

yummy a new breakfast treat

[aulrich]

Fred do you have any idea what the pressure would be running at, I have been trucking along fireforming for my k-hornet, and I was just curious.

One not of caution that grease plug comes out of the barrel with some force.  I had been firing into a 5 gallon bucket with a wet towel over it to control the smoke, noise and dust. the bottom of that bucket is split and from the outside you can see numerous dents. I have seen some variant of this procedue that use parafin wax plugs I suspect those to be alittle more dangerous.

Only 150 to go then I have my stock converted.

[Fred M]

Aulrich
Pressure? It is enough to form a case my guess is about 12-15ksi more like a shotgun. Crisco is very soft and only enough is put on top like1/8". It melts before it reaches the end of the barrel.

Crisco is not a projectile. Feedbacks I have received from other reloaders have all been positive. Some have used the method to straighten out bottle neck cases like the 280 Rem to 358AI. I have fire formed 300H&H to 340Wby

There are so many misconceptions about fire forming, and how to do it right. Somebody was going to put a bullet on top of the cream of wheat, imagine that?

[aulrich]

Yes the was thing seemed crazy to me too, i did not buy crisco, I had some muzzle loader bullet lube it really soft I thought the same sort of consistancy as crisco, maybe it hangs together a bit more.

Also if there was chamber flaw the fireforms should be showing it right?

[Fred M]

Quote.
Also if there was chamber flaw the fireforms should be showing it right?

Maybe? The only way to check the chamber is with  CEROSAFE.