Savage 12 F/TR .223 Firing Pin

[Cwk79]

At a match today and in the third relay at round 11 the firing pin quit striking the primer with enough force to ignite the primer, very small indent in primer. The rifle is new with around 285 rounds fired. Any ideas as to cause and fix will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Craig

 

[memo43]

Primer seating depth, brand of primer and most importantly have you ever pierced a primer, there could be portions of a pierced primer in the firing pin assembly.
Also if you have ever taken the firing pin apart to clean ensure it was reassembled properly

 

[memilanuk]

Usually there is either something inside the bolt fouled up from a pierced primer as mentioned, or something came loose (check the bolt assembly screw on the tail of the bolt) or something flat out broke (I've seen firing pins break - its rare, but I have seen it).

 

[Cwk79]

Thanks for your input. Primer seat depth is spot on, Primers are Rem. 7-1/2 BR , and have never pierced a primer. It appears that I need to disassemble the bolt for further inspection

 

[jonbearman]

If you get the bolt apart and it has grease all over the spring etc clean it all off and only a light film of oil off your fingers like one drop . Put the drop on a finger and smear it on the opposing finger so you are leaving a film. The only grease should be between the front baffle, turn it a 1/4 turn and smear a small amount on the bolt lugs and then pull back the baffle and turn it back to its original position. Then a small amount on the cocking ramp where the large headed pin that rides against it.