"Tender"won't go bang

[SAS98M]

Well, I figured it was about time for it to happen-the infamous "light primer strike" .
 Got the G2 last year shot a bunch of .17HMR stuff through it-no problems....
 Purchased a MGM 7x30 Waters for it,shot a batch of reloads through it prior to deer season-no problems....pulled up on a deer end of season and CLICK-no bang pulled the round out real quick loaded a second and POW dropped a doe in her tracks.after season was over chambered the unfired/dented round-fired it with the second hammer hit   
 Got the "don't need it-gotta have it" itch and finally through a fella on here purchased a 6.5JDJ barrel,brass and dies(the whole package) well this past week was loading week.

 I checked the cases and trimmed them to SSK starting spec. loaded the cases 31grns IMR4320 and topped them w/Hornady 129grn.SST's all at SSK recommended OAL. All those loaded bullets in the new MTM case looked like proud soldiers looking stout and ready(Ya gotta love it).
 
 Well that's where my problems now lie--most of those freshly loaded bullets took as many as three-four  hammer strikes to go off-this happened at my hunting camps annual game dinner and "fun shoot" with a bunch of onlookers wanting to see this 16inch barrel shoot where the rifles were.

 Where do you all suggest I start to look for this little "gremlin" that's begun to look over my shoulder ?
   I do all my own smithing (except millwork)when needed(mechanically curious and adept I guess). Any and all tips/pointers and/or opinions would be accepted and appreciated. Thank You all in advance. Shane

[Keith L]

The first place to look is your hammer.  If you have a hammer spur added to make it easier to cock then take it off and try it.  Some people have no problems with them, but more often than not they are a problem causing just what you have.

Second, measure your cases to make sure that they are the proper dimensions.  If to long they can prevent your barrel from latching properly.

Third, clean your locking bolts and the coresponding area where they mate on your frame.  If still not reliable you may have to polish the bolts to allow them to completely enter the mating surfaces.

Good luck!

[Tommyt]

Kieth covered every thing
I found by chance while on the phone with TC
EVERY now and then you may have a grip that won't let the hammer fully Cock
and will cause a Problem a little file and Paper all fixed
First time in Many years of shooting one of if not the Best Platform out there

Tommyt

[Hopalong7]

     Since this is a G-2 my first suggestion would be to remove the hammer spring and find a small washer the same diameter as the spring and place it on the end of the spring where the "t" on the strut catches it and reassemble.  This will in effect strengthen the spring by compressing it slightly.  Good luck.
BTW this suggestion came to me by way of a tech at TC.
Walt

[SAS98M]

Thanks for the info-this gives me a place to start. I did however in the meantime go to the (censored word) website and got a whole new outlook on the headspace issue with this type of set-up and will investigate furthur.

 I also forgot to mention(I think/yeah I didn't) that the problem is occurring when fireforming the cases-the 225 WIN.cases don't have the improved shoulder on them yet-according to the (censored word) site the shoulder setback provides or makes the headspace.....                                                                                                              I checked the lock-up(if I go real slow I can hear both lugs click under the frame) I'd have to say that's a good thing.                                                                                                                                                        I checked the grip etc... no interferance-good thing.
I checked the barrel/frame clearance-- .003 at the breach face--ok/good thing.
I checked the unfired/fireformed rounds they are actually recessed in the chamber .005-.007  some even .009 whick puts my overall headspace at .008-.012 whick seems like excessive according to the aformentioned website.
I did have the gun completely apart last night for curiousitys sake and for a good cleaning/inspection-YES it does still function as it should(actually smoother) so getting back in to the hammer spring and locator won't be a problem-I think I'm gonna try the washer trick and report back on that.

What do you guys think I could do about the 225 case concern ? they do need to be fireformed... just deal with the multiple hammer strikes till they are all formed-then go for accuracy and hunting ??  Lemme know. Shane

[David D.]

Anytime I hear one say they are getting light hammer strikes or misfire my first thoughts are a head space issue. Yes there are other problems that can cause this but most times its head space. I guess I,m just plain lucky that all the years I've been shooting Encores and Tenders I have never replaced nor had the need to replace a hammer spring. I even use the CCI primers I keep hearing from some that are to hard. The only Tender I ever had to misfire was a 7MM TCU. After I got the head space correct that problem went away.

[southernutah]

Pull the fireing pin and clean it, might be dirty

[SAS98M]

Thanks Southern,  I did have the breach plate out,did clean some real nasty stuff out from in the firing pin well(?)  also from the pins and rtn.springs. As for shooting since the clean-out,I haven't gotten there yet. Shane

[Hopalong7]

      With up to .012" headspace gap I think you have found your problem.  Sounds like your shoulder needs to be fireformed to fit the chamber.  Two ways to go here.  1- Load some long bullets seated out into the rifleing to hold the case back against the breech...or 2- Enlarge the neck with a larger sizer and then neck back down leaving a false shoulder short of the existing shoulder to hold the case back.  If you go the first method be sure to use a lighter fire-forming load because you WILL increase pressure loading the bullet out in the lands.
Walt

[SAS98M]

Hey Thanks Hopalong, I didn't know how to do that and it was gonna be a question here soon--long seat it huh ?  I'll have to see about that and give it a try..... Waddya think I should use as a "reduced " load ? I'm just starting to load for this and am using IMR 4320 at 31 grns.      Lemme know what ya think. Shane

[SAS98M]

Well, Curiousity got the better of me,I've taken in all that's been explained here with many thanks to all. But... couldn't resist the urge,I called SSK Industries this afternoon-was elated to the fact to speak to J.D. himself(pretty sure that was the proper J.D.) and was explained to indepth the proper ways to seat bullets,fireform cases,measure and trim cases all for the 6.5JDJ. Now when's the last time ya got that kinda service (I even explained to him where I got the barrel) and still got the same attention?  I guess that even with all the info available on the ol' p.c. --It's still best to pick up the phone. Now--off to the reloading bench. Shane

[Hopalong7]

     Yep...J D is the man.  I've heard him reputed to be a grumpy 'ol coot(which also happerns to be exactly the way my wife describes you know who),  but I've always found him to be polite, very helpful and extremely interesting to talk to.
Walt