bh 209 primer blow back prob

[BIG JAKE]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix the problem of gas blowing by the primer in a T/C encore. I'm using blackhorn 209 and cci 209 and 209 magnum primers. It's not effecting accuracy. But it shouldn't be happening.

[Busta]

How old is your breech plug? Is the bottom of the primer pocket nice and square, or is it eroded any around the flame channel from any gas cutting? What is the diameter of your flash hole? Breech plugs are wear items, and need to be replaced periodically.

Your headspace tolerance may be too great for those primers which generally average around .297"-.298". You could try some Winchester W209's, they have measured between .300" and .305" for years, however my last purchase they measured between .297" and .301".

If you load just a primer in your rifle with no powder/bullet load, push it in the primer pocket as far as it will go, then lay a straight edge across the breech end of your barrel. You will be able to see if your primer has any space between it and the straight edge. If you have a set of calipers, measure the primer length, then go to a safe area and shoot just the primer with no load in the rifle, then remove and remeasure the primer length. The primer will slide back in the battery cup, and tell you exactly what your total primer headspace is. If you can get primers closer to that length, it will reduce or eliminate blowback.

A new breech plug could cure your problems as well, and it never hurts to have a spare on hand. Should be able to buy a Encore breech plug for $15-$20, unless you have the Pro-Hunter or Endeavor?

[mirage1988]

I had that problem last year too with a brand new breech plug, but the center of the primer was bulging too, making it hard to open the breech. Im thinking 120 grains of BH is too much for remington primers.

[GeneRector]

  Howdy! Try cutting back a bit on the powder charge and see if it stops. I never go more than 100 gr on my powder charge eventhough they may say it can go 150 gr. Always, Gene

[jjvw]

You can use an o-ring in the bottom of the primer pocket that is drilled deeper (half o-ring thickness). Their available from Lowes, Home Depot or any large hardware. Their cheap and last at least 50-100 shots.

[BIG JAKE]

Thanks for the ideas and the input. I'll give them a try and see what works.

[LanceR]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix the problem of gas blowing by the primer in a T/C encore.

Umm...Err...Buy a Savage?

Seriously TC makes fine guns but they tend to have the tightest bores in the industry.  What bullet/sabot combination are you using?  How hard is it to push them down the barrel?  If you were to pull the breech plug and send a bullet/sabot down the barrel with the butt stock on a bathroom scale and you are seeing more than 25-35 pounds of seating pressure there is a good chance that you are building up excessive pressure due to a tight load.

If you are seeing more than 35 pounds (max) of pressure you could try a smaller sabot such as the MMP (Magnum Muzzleloading Products) HPH 24 or the Crushed Rib sabot from Harvester Muzzleloading.  They can be just the ticket for tight bores.  The HPH 24 is 0-002" smaller than standard and the ribbed design of the Crushed Rib sabots allows them to work very well with various bore dimensions.

http://www.harvesterbullets.com/

http://www.mmpsabots.com/

Lance

[BIG JAKE]

I'm using the 300 gr hornady sst and the harvester sabot. IT happens with 80grs of bh209 or 120grs and anything in between. Seating the bullet doesn't require a lot of of pressure.

[Buckskin]

Gotta be your plug. I shoot the same setup and never have had a blow back problem.  Unbelievability accurate too boot, sabots slide down with minimal effort.

[grouse]

Are you using your primer extractor? That needs to be in to stay cleaner.

[Buckskin]

I don't use the extractor in mine and it works just fine.

[BIG JAKE]

Changed breech plug. Problem fixed.

[LanceR]

Changed breech plug. Problem fixed.

Good Deal.  I'm glad it worked out for you.

I had mentioned the Savage because it has a fully sealed breech and the only wear part is a $3 "vent liner" which is a screw with a hole through it that takes all the abuse from the primer and the charge pressure.  Every 100 rounds or so you replace it and your good for another 100 shots or 100 deer, whichever comes first.

Lance