Lock time a big factor?

[fatelvis]

I know it is considered important for shooting offhand, but Is lock time an important factor when shooting long distance prone?

 

[CADDIE5]

Yes that's why I shoot Barnard P actions.

 

[Medic505]

In my opinion yes. I would consider it a factor in any precision shooting.

 

[BoydAllen]

If you are shooting from solid support, I do not think that it is important. Having a short lock time mimimizes amount of rifle movement from the time that the trigger is pulled until the primer is ignited. If the rifle is not moving during that time then lock time is not a factor.

 

[fatelvis]

Yes that's why I shoot Barnard P actions.

Are these actions considered "the fastest", as far as lock time goes?

 

[jackieschmidt]

Define lock time.

 

[Straightshooter1]

Define lock time.

. . . the time from when the sear lets loose until the firing pin hits the primer

 

[Emmett Dibble]

. . . the time from when the sear lets loose until the firing pin hits the primer

And to head off the next question dwell is the time from when the primer goes off till the round exits the muzzle and you no longer have any effect on it... (also important if off hand shooting)

 

[snert]

From the time my set trigger releases till the hammer falls and the flint ignites the pan and then ignites the charge till the roundball exits the barrel? Generally about enough time for the deer to move a step. That is, when it goes off.

just tossing a little perspective out here. it matters, but not hugely.

 

[Will Henry]

If you are holding well, conditions are steady, and you don't break your hold too soon (follow through), it doesn't matter too much. If conditions are twitchy, your hold is twitchy, or you don't follow through, it will be more of a factor. If you shooter more than one rifle, you will do better if all are similar in lock time. If you can shoot a flintlock ML well, you can probably shoot anything! WH

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I know it is considered important for shooting offhand, but Is lock time an important factor when shooting long distance prone?

From a supported position like a rest or bipod, no.

 

[jackieschmidt]

The reason I asked for the definition is once you define it, how do you alter it.

A lighter firing pin with the same spring pressure should allow the pinto move faster. Shortening the overall travel should decrease the travel time.

But these might be detrimental to overall accuracy due to erratic ignition.

Kelbly maintains that at least .230 pin travel and 23 lbs of static pressure is about right. They are not fans of light firing pins.

 

[mauser284]

Not that big of a deal if talking about smokeless powder. If you are talking match lock, flint lock and the like sure.

Non of these idiots that preach lock time can actually list the lock time of popular rifles and will quote some random non-certified source.

You never see these people build otherwise identical rifles by the same smiths with same barrels and custom loads but with different action equally machined doing anything remotely like scientific research to demonstrate this!

You always get "That is why I shoot "insert some expensive custom action here" . Smyth and Birdly machined on the thighs of virgins on 5 axis CNC machines in a single fixture and quenched in unicorn tears!

 

[PRR1957]

Remington used to boast about their rifles having the fastest lock time with the Walker trigger. (Which that trigger ended up being a long term liability to the company) If I remember correctly, Remington claimed .720 of a second. I’ve replaced the steel firing pin in a Remington 700 with a titanium firing pin and a higher poundage Wolf firing pin spring from Brownells. The claim was that the lock time was reduced by 1/3. For me it did improve my scores shooting off hand. The down side was with the heavier poundage firing pin spring, cocking force was increased.

As a side note. Remington tried to increase lock time with their short lived Model 700 EtronX electrical primer ignition system which the cartridge primer was set off with a DC voltage from a circuit built into the rifles stock using a 9 volt battery. Remington offered a few factory loaded cartridges for the rifle and primers for the hand loader. Every so on I’ll see one of those rifles for sale at an online gun auction site. Remington released the electric ignition primers ever so on, but with the recent breakup of Remington Arms and Remington Ammunition, it is doubtful that those specialized primers will be offered anymore. From what I understand is that the Model 700 EtronX rifles can be converted to use the more conventional primers as cartridge cases used were no different in that it still was a flame from either type of primer ignited the cartridge gunpowder. I’m guessing it would be the trigger and bolt would need replacement. I personally never handled or seen one.

 

[itchyTF]

Remington claimed .720 of a second.

I sincerely doubt it was 720 milliseconds.

 

[jghoghunter]

I always forget to use the unicorn tears. Damnit. Plus they are so expensive when you're able to find them!

 

[Albany Mountain]

I sincerely doubt it was 720 milliseconds.

My slingshot is about that.

 

[biggun2869]

I always heard that the 788 was faster than the 700. But before the bashing I just "heard" it. I don't know it to be fact

 

[M-61]

Given a choice between slower or faster lock time, obviously faster wins. (no pun)
However as a short range BR shooter I like to think my rifle and I are both solidly in place.
Does this mean I'd like the lock time of a wheel lock? No!
If I thought juggling springs, firing pin weights, etc, were going to improve my groups that would have been done a long time ago.

 

[BoydAllen]

Lock time - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org