Short Throat?

[cdbeaver]

The other day I loaded some rounds so I could try out my new NEF .45-70. Used 350-grain Hornady FN bullets seated to the recommended OAL of 2.550, and crimped at the top of the crimping cannelure.

Shot four times. Recoil was more than modest. Took the rifle back to the loading bench and tried the cartridges in the barrel. All went in and seated. However, upon break-open, the extractor could not eject the unfired cartridges. Had to use a cleaning rod to get them to eject.

There were obvious rifling marks on the bullets, so it appeared that the cartridges had been forced somewhat into the chamber.

I pulled the bullets and reseated them to 2.502 OAL, and they chambered easily, and ejected without difficulty. No rifling marks on the bullets.

My question is, could the NEF Handi-Gun have a shorter-than-normal throat, or could my loading manual (Hornady) be in error? Or, possibly, did I do something wrong in my loading. All cases were new, unfired.

 

[Steve Smith]

What rifle did the Hornady book use? More than likely it didn't use an NEF. Your throat is probably shorter than what Hornady used. Pressures can rise to dangerous levels when a bullet is contacting the threads at the ignition point. Seating a bullet deeper into the case will increase pressures as well. Be careful.

 

[cdbeaver]

Hornady, Speer, Lee

Thanks for the speedy reply. The Hornady manual called for a cartridge OAL of 2.550 for both the Springfield 1873 and the Ruger No. 1, as did the Speer and Lee manuals.

FYI, I did not crimp the cases after I reseated the bullets. It should not be necessary with a single-shot. I realize that deep-seating a bullet can at times increase pressure, but I am using a rather mild load of IMR 4198, nowhere near maximum.

 

[Steve Smith]

No slight to you whatsoever, but this is proof yet again that what you read in a reloading manual is not necessarily gospel. Each gun is a law unto its own.

Some folks may have a working knowledge of your rifle and the test rifles, but in this case it is not important. Your throat is obviously shorter than that in your manuals (assuming that the ogive of your bullets is the same as that of the test bullets). You can experiment with smoked bullets or a Stoney Point tool to get your true max OAL.

 

[KP95DAO]

Over 2200 rounds through my NEF 45-70. It has a "normal" throat, about .2". You should crimp enough to remove the flare as it can interfere with consistant chambering, pushing the round to one side or the other. I find the Hornady 300 JHP to be very accurate, and I seat it so that it just touches the lands.

 

[cheygriz]

I have the same problem with a .45-90 Sharps repro. Like you, I just seat the bullets a tad deeper. I can only cram about 84 grains of FFFG into the case, instead of 90 grains with the deeper seating, but what the heck? They shoot just fine.

 

[cdbeaver]

Flat Nose, Round Nose

Thanks, people for your good replies. I think I MAY have found my problem.

I loaded Hornady Flat Nose bullets in my .45-70. Loading information called for Round Nose. Don't have any of those on hand, but I'm guessing the profile may have been different and the FN bullet was flatter and fatter.

Tried some factory loads and they worked just fine. Now I'm going to try some Remington 300-grain HP's.

 

[Steve Smith]

A-ha!

To quote myself:

Your throat is obviously shorter than that in your manuals (assuming that the ogive of your bullets is the same as that of the test bullets ).