??? Hinge Pin and Group Size ???

[janehal]

Have a 21 in 22LR custom shop Contender that is driving me mad....weigh and sort bullets, good rest, good trigger,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,will a oversize hinge pin really help?  How does it go in without reaming? Are there many sizes of these or just one. Where do I order one? Now my pin slides in and out with no problem....how tight should they be?     thanks for all the help     Hal

[GrampaMike]

Is this the same as replacing the Base Pin in SA revolvers?  Just improving (lowering) the tolorences between moving parts.

[BCB]

janehal,

I have used the oversized hinge pin with minimal results.  I have used it with the following barrels: .223 Remington, 7-30 Waters, 30-30 Winchester, 44 Magnum, and 445 Super Magnum.  It may have improved accuracy a very little bit with the 30-30 Winchester barrel when using cast bullets—ain’t even sure of that though!  All of the above listed cartridges (exception—44 calibers) will shoot M.O.A. @ 100 yards and most of the time @ 150 yards with several different loads using the original factory hinge pin.  The pin with my Contender literally almost falls free when I “shake and wiggle” the barrel with the forearm off and the action open.  The oversized pins require a punch to install and remove.  It  can be a lot of hassle if you change barrels as often as I do!

One thing that I did install was a stiffer lockup spring.  That absolutely did improve accuracy with the 30-30 Winchester barrel (my first barrel) and I am assuming, the other barrels also.  Don’t know if they are still available though.

I sent you a personal message with a bit more information.  Good-luck…BCB

[KN]

Have you re-crowned the barrel yet? I have found that cures about 90% of inaccurate barrels I've ever had.   KN

[Possum]

KN, that might be an option for me.  Where can you get it done?  Local or do you have a recommendation and how many$?  Thanks for the reply.

[KN]

I do my own. I am a tool maker by trade though. Any gunsmith should be able to do it for around $25 or less. Especially a TC as they are easy to do with the removable barrel. Some have suggested a lapping tool made from a brass screw to do it but I have never tried this method. I do mine with a counter bore and a special fitting brass pilot. I cut mine square to the end and have never had any problems. Ask your local gun shop, they should know some one who can do it for you.  KN

[KN]

I played around with hinge pins for a while and found that too tight a pin usually caused more harm than good. I have been shooting TC's for 25 yrs and never wore out a pin. If the slop was excessive I could see the need but  have never found one that bad.  KN