The 204 goes for gophers

[aulrich]

Yesterday I was out doing a little gopher shooting.  And using the 40 grain hornady heads I was able to make hits from 75-175(no laser just guess). It was a slow day I only went though 20 rounds of centerfire (200 or so hmr, but that's another thread).  

I have to say that in the controlled environment of the range or varmint shooting the extractor is far superior the the ejector, we will see about that when I am out coyote hunting with gloves on.  And besides for not having to find stray brass, stuck cases are a thing of the past on a couple of rounds it took some force to extract the shell in the old days that would have been a stuck case.

The promise of seeing you hits did not pan out for me (I probably over use 24x)I think it is the weight (or lack of) and stock geometry that are the main culprits, But I am not too disappointed. The action is still opening on firing a bit so I think I have some minor latch issues, but it does seem to be going away with general break in, there are not even 100 rounds through it yet.

[quickdtoo]

That's a great report, thanks for sharing! You can stone the latch shelf on the barrel, I use a fine stone from a Lansky knife sharpening set, it's easy to maintain the shelf angle with it, just polish the latch engagement surface, it does the same thing as lots of shooting and opening/closing the action would do. I have yet to have a pop open on any barrel that I've done this to when fitting used barrels. You can check the latch engagement by removing the barrel, cleaning the latch and shelf, then smoke the latch shelf on the barrel with a candle or lighter, install the barrel and close the action, open it, remove the barrel and look at the mark in the soot, you should have approx 1/8" or more of engagement.

[rimfiregimp]

quick,
i'm fairly new to the NEF break opens but please fill me in on exactly where the latch is. i havent seen a schematic on the rifle so im a bit hazy on this.  is it the part of the ejector/extractor that makes contact w/the receiver right under the firing pin hole?
tia

[quickdtoo]

Welcome aboard!! If you open the action and look down below the firing pin, and work the barrel release up and down, you'll see the latch moving. The corresponding shelf below the ejector mechanism which is directly below the chamber is where the honing is done. The arrow in the pic shows the location of the latch shelf to be honed.

[rimfiregimp]

ooohh, ok.  one more question: now that im sure of what it is, i've been told to leave the latch mech dry (no oil or grease)....correct?  lube on the latch creates a POI issue, no?
thanks again.
-gimp

ooop, edit, just found the answer to my own question.  no lube on latch = action stays closed and no stringers.  god bless the internet  :wink: