Author Topic: Are empties supposed to fall from the cylinder? (Read 868 times)

jpuke · « **on:** March 01, 2006, 12:47:45 AM »

I've had a Ruger Blackhawk for over 4 years now, I've never been a fan of using extremely "hot" loads, I've been shooting a load that does about 950 fps with a 300 gr Lee FP cast bullet. My question is whether the empty cases are supposed to fall from the cylinder or if mine are sticking a bit because my load is too warm? They never require a lot of force to get out of the chambers, only a little poke with the extractor rod, - just wondering if this is normal. I don't think Ruger chambers are the smoothest, maybe that has something to do with it.

jgalar · « **Reply #1 on:** March 01, 2006, 01:36:46 AM »

They wouldn't put extractors on revolvers (single and double action) if the cases would just fall out.

PA-Joe · « **Reply #2 on:** March 01, 2006, 01:42:18 AM »

That's the way you want them. Easy out easy in!

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 01, 2006, 02:25:33 AM »

Some of the hotter loads make it a little harder to extract.

KN · « **Reply #4 on:** March 01, 2006, 12:35:36 PM »

I have found the opposite to be true. At least in my 44 mags. The hotter I load them the easier the cases fall out. I believe the brass bounces back more under hot loads and not as much in mild loads. KN

cattleskinner · « **Reply #5 on:** March 01, 2006, 03:01:24 PM »

I'm gonna agree with KN. I've noticed that the hotter the rounds are loaded, the easier they seem to come out. I think at least in my case it's attributed to the fouling that you get in the chambers. The lighter the load, the less the brass expands and seals itself to the chamber walls (i.e. the more blowback you get). Dirtier it is, harder it is to extract. Just my .02.

~~~Amos

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 01, 2006, 03:50:17 PM »

Quote from: KN

I have found the opposite to be true. At least in my 44 mags. The hotter I load them the easier the cases fall out. I believe the brass bounces back more under hot loads and not as much in mild loads. KN

I find it more in the Rugers than other handguns. I had a 454 Casull that not every case was hard to extract, but most of them were. Again high pressure.

Steve P · « **Reply #7 on:** March 01, 2006, 07:52:59 PM »

If you have to use more than one finger to extract the empty with the extractor rod, they are probably too hot of a load, or your cylinder is way too dirty. If they went in easy, it's not dirty.

Steve

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #8 on:** March 03, 2006, 08:07:22 AM »

In my limited handgun experience over the years (one Herter's, a couple of Rugers, and a Saur) it seems to depend on the individual pistol. Some I have had where the empties tinkled out under gravity, others (like my present Blackhawk) I had to use the extractor.

Possibly polishing the chambers would make easier extraction? I thought of this since it is often done with the NEF singleshot rifles to cure sticking cases.

-WH-

Mainer · « **Reply #9 on:** March 04, 2006, 02:24:08 AM »

Each chamber on my Bisley Vaquero appears to be a law unto itself. Most of the time the empties will fall out on their own. More use of the extractor is required as the shooting session goes on. One of these days I will polish the chambers.

The mere need to use the extractor is not strong evidence of overpressure, but if I needed to use anything beyond light pressure on the extractor I'd start being concerned.