Difficulty chambering rounds with new Savage 12FV

[Bisson1990]

[UPDATE: Thanks for everybody's input, problem solved - my teslong borescope came today and I gave things a look. The action screw was just the tiniest bit proud - I had checked with a flash light earlier and it had looked normal, but the the extra light of the teslong and the ability to look at it from multiple angles proved it was a bit proud. I then looked again at the lugs under a bright light and there was a very tiny amount of scoring about where the action screw would touch. Not enough to raise my attention earlier but now seemed to fit with the other info. I had put the 12FV in a new B&C stock before shooting it and it looks like that switch resulted in the slightest of protrusions of the action screw into the action bolt opening itself. A slight grinding of the end of the action screw (and re-bluing of the bare metal end) put everything back in working order. The "shortish" un-fired Hornady cycled like before, Hornady once fired that was a little tight on extraction was back to normal and the un-fired Nosler did allow the bolt to close even if still a little snug. I FL sized a new piece of Nosler 6.5 brass and it worked just like the Hornady. Problem solved. The Teslong has already paid for itself.]



I had my new Savage 12FV in 6.5creedmoor out for the first time today. When I loaded factory Hornady 140gn ELDM the bolt closed normally, but then had a sticky bolt lift after firing. I have never had over pressure issues with any rifle using factory, but checked brass anyway - no signs of pressure such as primer flattening etc. And when I tried to use factory Nosler 140gn Match Grade the bolt would not fully close upon loading. The bolt only turned down about half way before sticking. Both the Hornady and Nosler rounds performed perfectly in my Bergara so it must be something about the savage bolt/chamber.

Any thoughts about what the problem is?

 

[JFrank]

This may sound moronic but.
Have you cleaned it yet?

 

[Bisson1990]

This may sound moronic but.
Have you cleaned it yet?

Yup, I always run a few patches with CLP through a new rifle to remove any junk from shipping.

 

[JFrank]

Yup, I always run a few patches with CLP through a new rifle to remove any junk from shipping.

How about the chamber?

 

[Bisson1990]

How about the chamber?

Yup - swab with super big "qtip" and check with bore light (but not bore scoped).

 

[Texas10]

Savage doesn't always get the headspace correct when setting the barrel. Seen it a few times before, and yours might be a bit short.

A headspace "go gage" will sort that out, you can buy, rent, or borrow. If i had one, I'd gladly send you a loaner. Maybe someone else has one to loan.

Then order yourself a Teslong borescope camera. Cheap and you'll appreciate being able to see inside the barrel and chamber.

 

[Bisson1990]

Savage doesn't always get the headspace correct when setting the barrel. Seen it a few times before, and yours might be a bit short.

A headspace "go gage" will sort that out, you can buy, rent, or borrow. If i had one, I'd gladly send you a loaner. Maybe someone else has one to loan.

Then order yourself a Teslong borescope camera. Cheap and you'll appreciate being able to see inside the barrel and chamber.

Thanks. Coincidentally, based on recommendations in another thread, I have a Teslong on the way from Amazon.

 

[Mark W]

Thanks. Coincidentally, based on recommendations in another thread, I have a Teslong on the way from Amazon.

That’s a worthy investment!

 

[K22]

First thing I'd check is the rifle's head space if factory ammo wouldn't chamber. Any rifle smith should be able to do this in less than a minute for a nominal, if any charge.

The other possibility is a short throat which won't allow a cartridge with a long OAL bullet to chamber.

 

[Old Navy]

New gun. Take it back.

 

[PhilC]

That’s a worthy investment!

Indeed. If you have more than one caliber consider the optional extra mirrors, for $30 delivered you'll get side view mirrors for 5.56mm, 7.62mm, 9mm, & 12.7mm.

 

[Bisson1990]

First thing I'd check is the rifle's head space if factory ammo wouldn't chamber. Any rifle smith should be able to do this in less than a minute for a nominal, if any charge.

The other possibility is a short throat which won't allow a cartridge with a long OAL bullet to chamber.

I did check that by using black marker on bullet and it didn't leave marks, so it isn't jamming into the lands. Seems like headspace is the likely answer. I will have my local smith give it a look.

 

[243winxb]

The other possibility is a short throat which won't allow a cartridge with a long OAL bullet to chamber.

This. In 6.5 using Hornady factory ammo. 1 bullet weight would chamber. The other would not.
Club member sent rifle back to Savage for adjustment. Call Savage.

 

[LeeA]

I have actually seen a situation where the front guard screw was protruding just enough to interfere with the bolt locking lug.
Worth checking.

 

[jonbearman]

What state are you in? I would just buy a go gage and the barrel vise and a savage wrench, then in the future if you have to adjust head space or put a new barrel on you are set.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Ive seen a few factory rounds long on headspace. Cheap Federal and a basic remington core lokt both long. If thats the ammo you want to shoot set your headspace to that ammo. A go gage is a waste of time, you have closed the bolt on some- set it to the longer ones if you just have to use those

 

[Medic505]

New gun. Take it back.

And trade it for a Tikka.

 

[Dgd6mm]

My buddy and I ordered at the same time 2 .308 le rifles. We checked both rifles after we received them, they would both close on a no go gauge. We simply reset the headspace.

 

[Bisson1990]

And trade it for a Tikka.

I love all three of my tikkas - but this is a budget long range project for my son. Got it for $350 - solid action typically, decent trigger, long-ish varmint barrel a good place to start for a project like this. If just headspace my 'smith will adjust it and we will be on our way. If more serious than that it will go back to savage and the project will be delayed - plenty of other things to shoot.

 

[Bisson1990]

Ive seen a few factory rounds long on headspace. Cheap Federal and a basic remington core lokt both long. If thats the ammo you want to shoot set your headspace to that ammo. A go gage is a waste of time, you have closed the bolt on some- set it to the longer ones if you just have to use those

After getting a few rounds through the gun I will be developing a hand load for it - so don't have to shoot the noslers. But it is difficult to chamber a freshly sized piece of brass as well, so want to get it into "spec" before starting development.