Going NUTS!!!

[hog_head]

I have several Handi's and am having fits with a .243  bought a couple of years ago. I reload and no matter what the charge or bullet is the action pops open and the case head completely seperates just above the web. I also have a friend having the same problem. Do we need to send them back or is there some bone head mistake I am making??? About ready to chunk the gun and get a 700 youth for my daughter. I have always been a fan of Handi's and consider them as strong actions that can be very accurate out of the box. My 45-70 Handi will out shoot my Ruger #1 with stout loads all day long. Please tell me the solution before I pull my hair out.

[Dinny]

I would definitely send it back if it is all original. Call them first and have them send you a return shipping label.   Keep us posted in the Ilion Satisfaction Poll, we like success stories.

Good luck, Dinny

[quickdtoo]

Sounds to me like you need to trim and full length resize the brass, if it's too long either in overall length or to the shoulder, the action won't lock up completely and it'll pop open every time, being too long means it's likely been reloaded too many times, start with new brass and make sure there isn't excess headspace, chambered brass should be flush with the barrel face, not recessed much if any, nor above the chamber face.

Tim

[hog_head]

It's all original and I know they are cheap but my others are very good shooters with no problems. I did notice when I measure (with a stoney point guage) that this gun had a very short throat so I have played around with seating length hoping that was some of the problem but still no success.

[hog_head]

I f/l size the brass and always trim to length. I prep the brass in every possible way and still don't get it. I am useing imr 4350 as low as 27.5 gr with a 95 gr sst.

[hog_head]

Could the action popping open have anything to do with the head seperations?

[quickdtoo]

Pop opens are caused by insufficient latch engagement, oil on the latch/shelf, or improperly sized ammo, and no, it shouldn't cause case separations, that's likely the result of either excess head space, or reloading the brass too many times.

Tim

[hog_head]

Thanks for the info on the latching issue. Removed excess oil and it stays locked now. Tried new brass that I sized, trimmed, champhered, deburred (case neck and flash hole), and uniformed the primer pocket. Still got case head seperation and flattened primers. Tried several mild loads and still the same results. So it's gotta be improper headspace or a resizer die issue. I have loaded for bolt and auto guns with no problems but the 2 handi .243's I load for are having the same issue. Should I send the guns in or pursue the die issue with RCBS???

[quickdtoo]

How's the sized brass fit in the chamber? Is it flush with the chamber face or recessed? With the forend removed, is the barrel tight when locked up on an empty chamber?

Tim

[spinafish]

fire some factory ammo through the gun to see if the same thing happens..

[thejanitor]

I had this happen when I was not seating the barnes bullet deep enough, it was pushing into the rifling and with a stout load it was separating in the chamber. It was the only bullet it ever happened with, one day at the range w/a new load- 4 rounds Went home and pulled the rest). my fault. I can't say what is happening for you, but mine was my own mistake not re-setting the seater die correctly.  Good luck.
thejanitor.