Author Topic: Stretched Frames? (Read 1009 times)

Duffy · « **on:** July 20, 2003, 10:47:32 PM »

I hear alot about it but how do you check a frame for stretching? Feeler gauge? Wrinkles in the metal?

PJ · « **Reply #1 on:** July 21, 2003, 05:38:12 PM »

Just ask David White I'm sure he streched a few frames with his over MAX loads for the 444Marlin.

Duffy · « **Reply #2 on:** August 03, 2003, 08:51:15 PM »

Just as I thought, lot's of talk about it but no answers on how to check for it!

contendernut · « **Reply #3 on:** August 04, 2003, 04:09:12 AM »

Duffy,

Everytime you fire a round, the frame stretches a little but springs back. When you over stress the frame, it doesn't spring back. On the sides of the frame near the firing pins in the curve, a stretched frame will usally show some little ripples. It really does take a lot of high pressure rounds to stretch a frame. I've got a frame with thousands of 309JDJ, 6.5JDJ, 30 Alaskan rounds through it and it shows now signs of weakening. I have stretched a frame with a 6mm Super barrel though. There is a guy on the net who shot a 454 round through a 309 JDJ barrel by mistake. He gave it all to JD Jones and Jones replaced the barrel for cost and sent the frame back to T/C. T/C said the frame was OK. The barrel stretched the lug before the frame stretched. Even if the G2 frame is stronger, the weak link is the lug on the barrel.

Duffy · « **Reply #4 on:** August 04, 2003, 07:03:51 PM »

CN thank you very much for the reply. That is pretty much what I thought as it also happens with rifles to some degree. Just was wondering if there was a sure fire way to spot one if a person was buying used. I have noticed on my 708 with a few "warm" loads that the brass stretches a bit more and has to be full length sized. Was figuring that like a rifle things expand a bit more than they should and then relax to the normal state. I suppose a proper head space gauge would help determine any problems also.

Jay HHI6818 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 05, 2003, 03:44:13 AM »

I'm the one that has a stretched frame from firing a 445 SM in the 309JDJ barrel. Contendernut described the stretch marks pretty well. Its hard to see them since you don't know what your looking for. Best thing is to take it out in the sun light. My strectch marks (both sides of frame) show up as a single line, blueing is lighter in coloring " On the sides of the frame near the firing pins in the curve"
JD sent my frame back to TC and they returned it saying it was in specs. and I'm still shooting it.

contendernut · « **Reply #6 on:** August 05, 2003, 07:27:23 AM »

Jay,

Did you let JD look at the barrel? I may be thinking of another barrel but I remember someone ruining the lug on a SSK barrel and JD said not to use it anymore.

Jay HHI6818 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 05, 2003, 04:52:40 PM »

Oh yeah, JD took the power hacksaw to the hinge pin hole and cut about an 1/4 inch out of it. The lug was bent down and you can see the stretch mark on it. JD also pointed out that looking in the chamber end of the barrel at where the screw holes are for the scope base you can see dimples. Major pressure!!!!
JD did offer me another 309JDJ barrel for $200 and I bought one. :eek: :eek: