Having a problem with a 30-30 Contender

[Bigeasy]

I picked up a Contender this past spring, my first one, and have been having a problem I need some help with.  Its an early frame (1978), and came with a .223 super 14 barrel.  A few weeks ago I picked up a super 14 barrel (used, mint) in 30-30.  When I tried it at the range today, I ran into a problem.  When using factory Winchester 170 grain loads, it is extremely difficult to open after firing.  The primers show a heavy "swipe" mark on their face, and appear to be slightly raised, as if they are dragging against the breech face / firing pin.  I tried Remington 170 grain factory loads, and did not experience this problem (see photos below).

I ran into a similar problem earlier when using the .223 barrel with 30 year old gun show reloads.  I chalked it up to bad loads, as it fires fine with .223 factory loads, as well as my handloads, and NATO 5.56.

Are Contenders sensitive to soft primers, or is this indicative of a possible headspace or barrel fit problem?  The gun locks up tight, and does not misfire.  Fired Brass appears normal, other then the primer issue as noted above.  Any ideas or comment would be appreciated.

Larry

[qwikrick]

I had the same problem with some ammo in a 14'' 223.  I just stay with the brand that works best for mine.

[Keith1]

I have read somewhere that soft primers do indeed cause the hard opening problem that you are experiencing. Some one wrote  a large post on that exact problem. That post may be on this forum but it was a long time ago.
Regards, Keith

[JW/OK]

All the early Gen 1 Contenders I've owned have been hard to open on bigger calibers or hot loads. The G2 doesn't have this problem.

[Bearcat 74]

Mine did the same thing with Win ammo, it works fine with Federal Power Shock or Rem Core Lokts, so I just use those.

[Bigeasy]

Thanks for the replies.  When I reload for this gun, I will have to make it a point to use Remington or CCI primers.  I was getting about 1 1/2 inch groups with the Remington factory stuff, so I have high hopes for this barrel with tailored loads using a good spitzer bullet in the 125 - 150 grain range.

Larry

[P.A. Myers]

That primer flow shows a bit of pressure, not too bad. Some early Contenders don't like big bullets.
Contender barrels are like your children, you love them all, but they are all different.

P.A.

[Hopalong7]

        Larry, Hopefully that means that your barrel has a short tight throat(the opposite is often the case).  I say hopefully because most of us gravitate pretty quickly toward the light side of the bullet range with the 30-30 and that throat may turn out to be a blessing.  Here's hoping she's a tack driver .  I shoot both 30-30Win and 30-30AI and both love the 125BT.
Walt

[shot1]

Get you some IMR 4198 and some 125 Nosler ballistic tips. You will not regret it.

[leadman]

If you continue to have a problem with primer flow you might want to look at the removable breech block for an enlarged firing pin hole. This block is replaceable by removing a screw in front of the hammer. Had to replace one of mine awhile back.

I use H4895 in my 30-30 carbine and 30-30AI 14". In my barrels I can get a little more velocity then with IMR4198 and still get great accuracy. The 125gr. Nosler BT is a great bullet for the Contender.

[HTS]

what is going on is,when you fire the case is driven forward.then the brass expands and locks to the chamber wall.in the case of the 30/30.to the bottom of the rim counterbore thus creating sort of a reverse exesessive headspace at the rear and in my experience this causes the primer to actually back out to meet the breechface with high end loads.most all my t/c barrels have chamber dimensions on the sloppy side including rim counterbores that are way deeper than they need to be.hoe this helps!

[Graycg]

I had a similar problem that was solved completely by tightening up the screw inside the hammer cutout that holds the breechface in place, the breech face had loosened up and a few twists solved the problem.  I would check that before going too far on anything else...

regards,
 Graycg