6 vs 12 o'clock firing pin position, opinions?

[js2013]

Anyone have any insight/opinions one way or the other? What are the bench rest gurus going too? Seems most the top position type rifles have gone to 6.

 

[patriot]

This has been a few years, but a test showed a slight improvement; just enough to be measurable. Top Position Rifles? Anschutz remains at 12.

 

[Intell]

Nearly all new benchrest actions are made with 6 ignition now.

 

[patriot]

Not many folks shoot 3 or 4 "position" matches with a BR action

 

[js2013]

Not many folks shoot 3 or 4 "position" matches with a BR action

True. But if the BR guys are going to 6 also, then maybe 6 is an accuracy advantage.

 

[patriot]

As I said above, it showed a slight improvement. It makes sense for BR and maybe the top 1% of prone shooters if the loading port doesn't cause them to break position. For position shooters; spend the money on practice or a new coat.

 

[Intell]

Not many folks shoot 3 or 4 "position" matches with a BR action

A BR action can go in a prone stock. All position shooters don't use Annie's. They also use custome actions

 

[linekin]

I have 6 & 12 o'clock bolts for my Turbo sporter. I can not see any difference whatsoever. The 12 is smoother so its what I use. Theory is heat rises so the 6 hit should be more consistent.
I've also got a Time Precision with 2 firing pins. 6 & 12. Haven't shot it but have been told that they're best result were with one on the pins shorter than the other???
My,.02. Consistency in the ignition is the most important thing. Makes no difference where it comes from.

Keith

 

[patriot]

Keith, I thought the theory was the powder made more consistent contact with the primer; like shaking the powder to the back of a case before loading. Were you shooting Eley? Perhaps the greater primer to powder ratio reduces the effect.

I ran a firing pin strike consistency test by backing off the Anschutz 54 spring until there were misfires. Just one test in one rifle, but it did not show any difference in the ES or SD; could have been buried in the chronograph error or been too small of a sample. The mysteries of smallbore...

 

[linekin]

Keith, I thought the theory was the powder made more consistent contact with the primer; like shaking the powder to the back of a case before loading. Were you shooting Eley? Perhaps the greater primer to powder ratio reduces the effect.
.

I had never heard or read that but its been a while too. As I understood it as the primer ignites being struck from the 6 pin the burn would potentially get to the top of the primer compound before the powder ignites. We're talking milliseconds here I suppose. I don't know how one could prove that myself.
But it's what most are using these days on the newer br actions as its what is "in".
Yes I was shooting Eley.
Again, from what I've seen out of my rifle, it makes no difference.

Keith

 

[Intell]

It would take a indoor venue like the rocky river barn to tell the difference and I'm not sure that would even do it. The last indoor match I went to was won by a 6 ignition gun, but at the same time there are lots of them on the line now. There was also a friend of mine that shot back to back perfect 2500 targets with a 40x at the same match. When I say 40x, don't think cmp wood stock. They are in McMillan edge stocks, custom barrels and high dollar triggers. Mine took me a long way and I love 40s, that said I'm campaining a 3 lug stiller trident now and it's doing its job, still don't know if it's "better" but it sure is purdy. Outdoors the wind and the driver will seperate the pack more than 6vs12. The new debate in the last year is 2 lug vs 3 lug, and that's still as fuzzy as 6 vs 12. Who knows. If the better shooters are using 6 pins and 3 lug actions, naturally there are going to be more of them in the top 10.

 

[SheepDog]

No matter where the primer is struck the whole ring of primer material ignites to burn the powder. 12, 3, 6, 9, and double and quad firing pins have been used. We are back to a single point and generally at 6 or 12 o'clock. Any difference in the characteristics of ignition would depend more on the quality and quantity of the primer compound.