Husqvarna barrel issues

[df65284]

I have a Husqvarna Mauser clone in .270 winchester. The rifle has always been a kicker, and is on its second stock because the original wood stock broke under recoil. Recently while working up a load for this rifle,previously only used factory ammo) I noticed that even light loads with 130 grain bullets show signs of good pressure, and mid range loads show signs of excessive pressure. The barrel has always copper fouled very badly. A gunsmith friend of mine suggested that the bore may be slightly under sized. Has anyone heard of this problem? Is it even safe to shoot? And while I am asking, does anybody know if someone makes short chambered barrels for these rifles?

 

[Kurz]

df65284,

Which Husqvarna model is this? M96 or M38 converted, HVA, 9000, 1640, etc?

"Is it even safe to shoot?"

It apparently has been safe to shoot with factory loads.

"A gunsmith friend of mine suggested that the bore may be slightly under sized."

Could be but it wasn't a factory standard. You could slug the bore and measure to see if there is a disparity.

Have you measured your bullets?

Do you have previous experience with reloading?

The reason I ask is that usually when a shooter reports high pressure signs with low to medium reloads, they have set the shoulder back and they are seeing a problem with headspace. If the factory loads shot fine without signs of pressure then it very possibly can be headspace.

Another possibility is that you have a carbon ring in front of the chamber that is raising the pressure. This doesn't seem right though since again, the factory loads shot fine. You could try taking a peek with a borescope to ascertain the real condition of your bore. If there is a ring, remove it, if the bore is rough use some bore paste on a patch to attempt to do a tiny bit of smoothing and cleaning.

Short chambered barrels can be found from some of the barrel makers. Brownells lists some but they are not the top of the line or even the middle. I would call Woody Woodall at Lothar Walther Precision in Georgia and talk to him. They sell chambered, threaded and crowned barrels or other variations based on your needs.

Let us know what you find out.

 

[df65284]

I am not exactly sure of the model. I am not very familiar with the Husqvarnas, as most of my experience is with Savage rifles. The only markings are "Husqvarna Vapenfabriks A.B. .270 WIN" and the serial number 113321. I am quite familiar with reloading, and have been loading most all of my ammo for years. This particular gun had been in the back of my safe. I should have noted that factory ammo is also excessively hot, but I did not have any functionality issues. I have used multiple brands of bullets, but mostly Hornady and Nosler. I can't feel a carbon ring with a tight patch. And unfortunately do not have access to a bore scope right now. I will try some bore paste and see if I get any improvement.

 

[Kurz]

df65284,

"I should have noted that factory ammo is also excessively hot, but I did not have any functionality issues."

How are you assessing that the factory and reloaded ammunition is 'excessively hot'? Can you post photos of the pressure signs or is it just the recoil or some other sense of over pressure? Was the bolt lift heavy? Was the extraction difficult?

As I stated above, if light and medium pressure loads are showing signs of pressure, it can be a problem with headspace. You can check this easily by stripping the bolt and using a GO/NO-GO gauge to check the chamber. Maybe your gunsmith friend can lend a hand with this if you've never done this before.

Casting the chamber and measuring the cast will allow you to compare the chamber dimensions with the dimensions on your cartridges. The chamber might have a tight neck or a short throat and leade, either of which can cause signs of higher pressure.

You might want to check the lug seats for set back also. This is not normally a problem with the more modern versions of the Husqvarna rifles but it has been seen in some of the older M93, M96/38s when they have been abused with high pressure loads not suited to any action let alone one that's 100 years old.

Again, you can slug the barrel after cleaning it in order to establish what the real diameters are. If you're unsure of any of this, see if your gunsmith can help.

Husqvarna A.B. dates back to the 1600's but the modern bolt actions we're familiar with start with the early 1890's and go forward. There are probably some additional markings and stamps on the rifle but they'll be under the stockline and on the bottom of the action and barrel. Taking the barreled action out of the stock will get you access to those marks and stamps.

Most Husqvarnas are categorized as small ring Mausers that have a 1.300" front ring diameter. M98 Mausers have a 1.400" front ring diameter. The 1890's Swedish Mausers were small rings and the new, improved HVA models were small rings. Wedged in between was a short run of FN M98 Mausers from Belgium that Husqvarna used to get them through manufacturing until their new version HVA was ready.

As far as the model is concerned, there are dozens of models depending on the era and the importer/distributor. There are a ton of photographs and short histories on the internet as well as excellent reference books that you can buy to help you with the identity.

Good Luck!

 

[eskimo1]

Not sure of the model but it should have been made in 1949. My guess is that it´s a 1600 series.

 

[GSP7]

Husqvarna serial 113XXX is a model 640 and has a FN M98 action, Not a 1600 series action. That is a nice rifle.

I have the same rifle in 27o also, but havent even shot this one yet. But when I got it it did have signs of a high pressure load shot through it. Melted brass on the bolt face that I cleaned up. Might have been a blown primer from previous owner

Ask over at the Husqvarna site. http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=50
Id like to here their response to your problem

 

[df65284]

The action is a large ring,1.4). The pressure indicators I am looking at are the primers. Only minimum loads seem to look acceptable. I will see if I can get some good pics. A headspace problem shouldn't cause the heavy coppering though should it? I will check it any way, as this is an older rifle. My uncle bought it with less than a box through it nearly 30 years ago,according to him). Thanks for the info on the rifle. Still haven't scrubbed the bore with paste. Deer season just opened...

 

[df65284]

Thanks for the good info Kurz. Looks like you were right about the carbon ring. It took countless patches and some agressive
solvents and pastes to clean it out, but it seems to have fixed the problem. Still makes my shoulder sore, but it does not have any pressure indicators. Appreciate the help.