Hangfire/FTF/Whatever you call it with custom action 6.5x47 Lapua

[TikkaSporter]

I have a new-to-me rifle in 6.5x47 Lapua. The action is a Northwest Precision (custom machined Remington Clone). I've had a fair number of failure-to-fires with both CCI 450 and BR4 primers in this rifle. I seat my primers with a RCBS hand tool and seat them until they bottom out in the primer pocket, then go just a tiny bit further. I don't handle the primers with my fingers at all to prevent contamination (use tweezers to load them into the tool). I removed the firing pin assembly from the bolt to inspect (no obvious issues noted). I degreased the firing pin assembly and cleaned the inside of the bolt recess. The spring didn't look like a 'snakey' factory spring, it looked new and 'aftermarket'.

All that and it's still doing it. Sometimes when I re-cock the bolt and try again, it goes off, but usually not. Yeah, it's been cold outside since I got this rifle (0F - 40F), but even keeping the ammo in the heated truck and bringing out one round at a time to shoot doesn't seem to help. I've also not had any cold weather FTF's with the same lots of primers in my other rifle that uses small rifle primers (6mm AR). The action mfr says they use standard strength springs and a 'small' firing pin. I am not seeing primer cratering issues.

This rifle shoots phenomenally, I just need to get better reliability before taking it to competition.

So now what? Suggestions please...

 

[dc.fireman]

Can you measure the length of the firing pin, and then ask the manf. what the length is supposed to be?

 

[madmixerman]

Are you F/L sizing the brass before loading? I've seen some cases where the shoulder is pushed back too far & not firing in some custom actions.

 

[TikkaSporter]

Can you measure the length of the firing pin, and then ask the manf. what the length is supposed to be?

Where would I make the measurements? The amount it protrudes from the bolt face? If so, how? can I do this with calipers?

 

[TikkaSporter]

Are you F/L sizing the brass before loading? I've seen some cases where the shoulder is pushed back too far & not firing in some custom actions.

Yes. This is happening with virgin brass and with F/L sized brass. I size my brass for a 0.001" - 0.002" shoulder bump.

 

[Snuggie]

Is your firing pin .062 ? Has it been bushed to that? 6.5 X 47 L custom actions come with the .062 firing pin.

 

[pauls]

Are you F/L sizing the brass before loading? I've seen some cases where the shoulder is pushed back too far & not firing in some custom actions.

My thoughts, too. Slight headspace issue.

 

[15T]

Yes. This is happening with virgin brass and with F/L sized brass. I size my brass for a 0.001" - 0.002" shoulder bump.

I have a new-to-me rifle in 6.5x47 Lapua. The action is a Northwest Precision (custom machined Remington Clone). I've had a fair number of failure-to-fires with both CCI 450 and BR4 primers in this rifle. I seat my primers with a RCBS hand tool and seat them until they bottom out in the primer pocket, then go just a tiny bit further. I don't handle the primers with my fingers at all to prevent contamination (use tweezers to load them into the tool). I removed the firing pin assembly from the bolt to inspect (no obvious issues noted). I degreased the firing pin assembly and cleaned the inside of the bolt recess. The spring didn't look like a 'snakey' factory spring, it looked new and 'aftermarket'.

All that and it's still doing it. Sometimes when I re-cock the bolt and try again, it goes off, but usually not. Yeah, it's been cold outside since I got this rifle (0F - 40F), but even keeping the ammo in the heated truck and bringing out one round at a time to shoot doesn't seem to help. I've also not had any cold weather FTF's with the same lots of primers in my other rifle that uses small rifle primers (6mm AR). The action mfr says they use standard strength springs and a 'small' firing pin. I am not seeing primer cratering issues.

This rifle shoots phenomenally, I just need to get better reliability before taking it to competition.

So now what? Suggestions please...

I have had the same problem with several different barrels on the same receiver lately using the same lot number of cci 450s. Problem was solved by using a different lot number of 450s and some Federal match primers.

 

[TikkaSporter]

Is your firing pin .062 ? Has it been bushed to that? 6.5 X 47 L custom actions come with the .062 firing pin.

Pretty sure it is 0.062", but guess I better break out the ole' shoelace to remove the firing pin assembly and measure again. So much fun.

I purchased the rifle/action used so I don't know if it's been bushed or if it was originally built for 6.5x47.

 

[TikkaSporter]

I have had the same problem with several different barrels on the same receiver lately using the same lot number of cci 450s. Problem was solved by using a different lot number of 450s and some Federal match primers.

That's why I tried the BR4's after this happened with the 450's. I guess I could break open another case just to be sure.

 

[blvedere]

I have had the same problem with CCI primers. Usually 2 out of 100 handloads will not fire. If I remove the primer and hit it on my anvil with a hammer, it will go bang. I am not the only one at my club range that has this problem.

 

[TikkaSporter]

Pretty sure it is 0.062", but guess I better break out the ole' shoelace to remove the firing pin assembly and measure again. So much fun.

I purchased the rifle/action used so I don't know if it's been bushed or if it was originally built for 6.5x47.

The firing pin diameter it 0.059". The fit in the bolt face hole is fairly tight. I may just be lacking creativity, but can't think of a way to measure how far the firing pin protrudes from the bolt face with the tools I have.

 

[TikkaSporter]

I have had the same problem with CCI primers. Usually 2 out of 100 handloads will not fire. If I remove the primer and hit it on my anvil with a hammer, it will go bang. I am not the only one at my club range that has this problem.

I'm more in the territory of 4 out of 50 not firing.

 

[Nvreloader]

TS
Take the bolt and rotate the firing pin into the fired position,
the firing pin tip will protrude out the bolt face,
you can then measure the firing pin protrusion.

Do you have a Hornady case measuring tool?

Tia,
Don

 

[TikkaSporter]

TS
Take the bolt and rotate the firing pin into the fired position,
the firing pin tip will protrude out the bolt face,
you can then measure the firing pin protrusion.

Do you have a Hornady case measuring tool?

Tia,
Don

As in the Hornady OAL gauge? Nope, I measure my length-to-lands a different way, but hmmmm that's giving me an idea. Gotta go give it a try.

I'm good on how to get the pin to protrude from the bolt face, just measuring it's been the problem so far.

 

[TikkaSporter]

...Gotta go give it a try.

OK, that worked. The firing pin protrudes 0.060" from the bolt face. Thanks for getting me on the right track to measure that.

 

[BIG D]

Tikka, look up Alex wheeler videos on how he checks for shoulder bump as I feel you have to much shoulder bump. Alex has a way that is very accurate with headspace/shoulder bump. Pretty easy to check. If your bolt falls very easy on its own on a sized case you've run through your sizing die then your most likely bumping shoulders to far. Also try a piece of brass that was fired through this chamber but hasn't been resized yet. See how the bolt falls or closes on a fired case. Hopefully this helps.

 

[ridgeway]

Replace the firing pin spring...

 

[hogpatrol]

^^^^^^^^^^
This. Springs fatigue. I don't but some competitors change them every year.

 

[Steve Ladino]

I have had the same problem with CCI primers. Usually 2 out of 100 handloads will not fire. If I remove the primer and hit it on my anvil with a hammer, it will go bang. I am not the only one at my club range that has this problem.

Very dangerous!