A&H Shooters

[sabotloader]

For those of you that on occasion have trouble with the hammer not setting off percussion caps, I think I may have found a solution.  In Idaho I have to stay with percussion caps during muzzleloading season. Currently, I have a real problem getting my A&H to discharge on a regular basis.  I have followed the setup procedures in the in the manual, I have tried a suggetion by Big6x6, but I still often to often get a cap that does not ignite on the first attemp.  If I re-cock the bolt it will always go off the on the second pull.  I use to have a simular problem in my Remington.  I long ago installed an after-market "Wolff" 28# hammer spring in it, which cured all the problems.  Well after a miserable day shooting last week with the A&H, I took the bolt apart and tried a spare "Wolff" spring that I had.  It was a little bit of work getting the hammer installed because the "Wolff" spring is longer and stronger, but todaywhen I shot the rifle not one problem - everthing went well - 24 shots not one problem.  My confidence in using this rifle in the winter on Elk has been restored.  Hope this helps someone else out there.

[Longcruise]

Methinks the original problem was due to the cap not fitting the nipple right.  The nipple may be too large to push the cap all the way onto the nipple.

Harder hammer fall obviously fixed it but you might take a look at the cap fit also.

[sabotloader]

Nope, that wasn't the problem - tried serveral different nipples - 4 different caps -plain and simple the hammer didn't hit hard enough especially when the nipple became gritty from repeated shots at the range. With this new spring it doesn't matter, it always shoots.

Same for the Remington - I went through all of that with it also, along with a lot of other Remington owners

[big6x6]

Sounds as if you solved the problem yourself.  I'd send Austin and Halleck a letter telling them the problem and what YOU did to correct it.  It would be interesting to see their response.

[RandyWakeman]

Currently, I have a real problem getting my A&H to discharge on a regular basis.  

Was this with the old hammer, or the newer "universal hammer"?

[sabotloader]

Randy is was with the old hammer, I have a universal hammer in the other A&H for 209's but this one I was trying to leave the old hammer in for #11's and also the fact it seems to reduce some blowback - thats your fault you got me looking more closely at that.  I did also try a universal hammer in this one - didn't change the results that much.

I called A&H and talked to Ray about the problem, he indicated that they were using a new spring, but he preferred the old one.  He suggested that I send the barreled action and they would take care of it.  He thought the problem might be that the cocking claw migth be dragging in the receiver or that the hammer might be dragging in the bolt shroud.  I checked these and the claw was dragging a bit.

It was my feeling after fixing that, the hammer still wasn't hitting that hard.  It really did remind me of the dull "thud" I use to get with my Remington.  That is why I got it in my mind to try the "Wolff" spring.  At the range (rock pit) last weekend everything functioned very well.  Even lifting the bolt now is very smooth.  It didn't matter how gritty the nipple got it just kept on shooting - my confidence is restored.

[RandyWakeman]

It didn't matter how gritty the nipple got it just kept on shooting - my confidence is restored.

Glad you got it fixed to your satisfaction, and also glad you tipped off Ray Crow-- he's one of the best.

Congratulations!

[AllenRead]

Sabotloader,

Your solution appears to be exactly what my A & H needs.  Can you tell me where to get the "Wolff" 28# hammer spring?

A & H sent me an entirely new bolt that worked with 209's, but has not worked on # 11's.

Great solution, thanks for posting.

Allen

[sabotloader]

THAT was exactly my problem....
Wolff Blitzschnell Speed-Lock Strike Spring
Remington 700 Short, 722 and 725 short, 40x centerfire
Load Rating (at cocked position) 28 lbs.

Stock Number 63428

Brownells - 1 800-741-0015
www.brownells.com

It is a longer spring therefore a little tougher to get hammer started, but with universal hammer and a socket it is easier than the old original hammer.  

If you are using the original hammer with the number #11 caps another thing I did was to open up (not deeper but widened) the cup cavity a bit with a 9/32 drill bit.  I did this because the #11 caps were sticking inside the cup after firing and I would have to pick them out - now they fall out.

good luck - I will be giving the rifle a good work out this week-end to verify that spring is doing the job - I am real confident it will.

[AllenRead]

Sabotloader,

Thank you!

I just placed my order with Brownells.  It probably won't be here in time for the weekend, but I will be trying it out soon.

My A & H was becoming just a wall hanger.  The unreliable ignition and difficulty in cleaning, well, it is just easier to shoot my H & R.  But now with the new spring and Randy's new breech plug, it may soon become a shooter again.

Your detailed reply was very much appreciated.

Good shooting,
Allen

[sabotloader]

Cleaning, while it will never be as easy a break open I think I have also reduced that to a non-chore...  I had never really tried the windex thing before, but I am a believer now.  I use T7 so it really works well.  I just got myself a small jar dropped in a bunch of round patches filled the jar with windex and wow! how easy that cleans the bore.  Usually four patches and it is clean - dry it - oil it and it is taken care for the next trip.  I use the same windex patches to clean the breech area ad breech plug, it cuts right through the crud rings.  

I hope everything works well for you, I really enjoy shooting the A&H. Make sure the hammer space is set as A&H suggests.