Possible firing pin problem...maybe.

[Heavy C]

I setup an Encore rifle with a custom barrel in 30-06 AI.  I had a hammer expander on it, but took it off since it appeared to mis-fire.  Then I noticed something strange.  When I ran Winchester or Remington factory ammo it would only fire one out of four or five rounds.  Looking at the primers they are all indented the same.  The kicker is that when I run Federal factory it fires every time without fail.

So, what gives?

[one eye joe]

Sounds like you need a heavier hammer spring. There is a gentleman no longer welcome on this site that sells them, maybe others as well. I added one to my Encore and it "cured" the problem. It is a difference in primer hardness, and a possible slight headspace problem that is the most likely cause.

[Heavy C]

Thanks One Eye Joe.  I thought about that individual myself.  The primer question is a good one.  I know Winchester pistol primers are used for regular and magnum loads, but I couldn't verify if the same holds true for their rifle primers. 

How difficult is it to swap hammer springs?

[southernutah]

HeavyC, if it is  a used frame try cleaning the firing pin first. Easy just remove the barrel, use an allen wrench and remove the screw holding fireing pin block and push the allen wrech thru hole pushing out block. They get dirty and sometimes a little sticky.

[243dave]

Heavy C, sounds to me it could be a couple of things. 1. Don't rule out a headspace problem, its probably not, but it could be.  I bet after you get enough fireformed brass for the AI it won't misfire anymore. 2. Weak hammer spring. The hammer spring is not hard to do. The gentleman no longer welcome here has a free(or it use to be) downloadable tutorial how to completely take down the encore and change the trigger spring. I've done 3 trigger jobs on encores using his step by step instuctions with no problems. If your gonna change out the hammer spring you might as well change out the trigger spring too. Personally I think after you get your brass fire formed you'll be good to go.    Dave    

[Heavy C]

Wow, thanks guys!  I'll clean the firing pin and order up a spring kit.

[southernutah]

here is the  way I do the trigger spring. Just tear it apart. Then I take one of my others apart real SLOW to see how everthing went. Sometime it only take three frames taken apart to get it right.