Author Topic: Action opens (Read 580 times)

bja105 · « **on:** November 23, 2004, 12:17:52 PM »

Shooting my wife's .243 youth handi, one out of every 5 shots resuled in the action opening.

The loads were with 100 g Hornady round nose. All loads were sorta hot, about 1 grain under listed max. I was using H4895, Varget, H4831, and Win 760. One of my manuals listed magnum primers for a couple of the loads, well, for simplicity I used them for all - probably a bad idea.

Anyway, the groups were not bad, except the fouling shot for each group hit 6 inches high (cleaned with boresnake between powders)and the shots that opened the action hit 6-8 inches high. These shots pushed out the primer slightly. The shots that didn't open the action showed no obvious signs of pressure (it would have to be obvious for me to recognize.)

Factory 100g loads didn't open the action, but showed bad vertical stringing. The stringing could be because I shot them first on a clean barrel and hadn't settled on sand bag placement, yet.

75 grain v-max reloads never opened the action.

The rifle has about 50 shots through it.

Questions:
-Is action opening common with these rifles?
-Did overpressure open the action AND push out the primers, or did the action opening let the primer back out?
-Could the action be opening because thje front bag was rested under the hinge?
-Any suggestions, besides don't be in a hurry, follow exact recipes, and work up from start? (I should know better.)

Thanks

Major · « **Reply #1 on:** November 23, 2004, 01:14:10 PM »

First bja105, welcome to the site.

I am between Handi rifles at the moment but since others have not answered your questions I will give it a go. These great little rifles come from the factory with all kinds of gunk in them from packing grease to machining chips. Sometimes all that stuff stops the locking lug from latching and the rifle will open when fired. This is a common problem with the Handis.

I would take the stock off of your rifle and flush out the action real good with solvent. Then dry it and put it back together. Try that and see if that doesnt solve the problems as I bet all the things you mentioned are related to a dirty latch. If that doesnt work then post back and we will see if others have better suggestions.

Good luck.

Fred M · « **Reply #2 on:** November 23, 2004, 02:15:43 PM »

baya 105.
There are four main reasons for the action to open.

I. Oil or lubtricant on the latch and the the latch seat. (use alcohol for cleaning these parts)

2. Insufficient latch engagement.

3. A weak latch compression spring.

4. High pressure loads

Magnum primers increase pressure and should not be used in the Handi.

You should be able to address #1 and #4. the other two takes some skills and tools to fix it.

If you think you are up to it read my instructions how to do it.

http://angelfire.com/ma/ZERMEL/tweakultra.html

bja105 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 23, 2004, 05:55:53 PM »

Geez, Fred and Major, now I wish I hadn't just oiled everything! I did get some crud out with a q-tip. I should be able to get it out with alchohol, as you suggested. If lighter loads and cleaning don't do it, I'll look into your gunsmithing recommendations after the season. I've never done anything like that, and I'm no machinist, but I want to learn. How did you learn this stuff?

One more question. I'm running out of time to tinker, and we'll only get one more session at the range before its time to hunt. I won't get to mess with bedding or floating the fore-end. Do these rifles(unaltered) tend to shoot better with a certain fore-stock screw tightness. I don't have a torque wrench, so I'm looking for as tight as you can, or as loose as it won't fall off...or should I not worry about it for now?

Thanks
Jason

Donaldo · « **Reply #4 on:** November 23, 2004, 06:04:47 PM »

These Handi's are loveable but sometimes very tempermental little guns. Shooting from the bench and offhand, as in hunting, are two different things. If you are using your rifle to hunt with, do your sighting in shooting offhand, setting, across your knees or whatever. FredM will probably chime in on this too. Lots of little things you can do if you have the time, but deer season is here!!!. Try different ammo, brands, bullet weights, see what is the best and later, after season closes, try to find out what the rifle likes, and what position it likes on the bags. Best of luck for now.

Fred M · « **Reply #5 on:** November 23, 2004, 07:34:32 PM »

bja 105

Quote

How did you learn this stuff?

To tell you the truth I don't really know, it is not learning per se. Because learning comes during and after doing something or being taught how to do it. But when you are confronted with something new that has not been taught to you, then you have to teach yourself.

When you have a problem you need to search for the cause and analyze the cause and why it is happening. Then find a method to eliminate the problem with whatever resources you have. That is the best I can explain it.

My main job was solving problems, mostly under extreme conditions and with a tight budget an a demanded profit on the project Each solved problem you store away and use the experience to solve another. It sort of becomes second nature.