There's a Ring in my Chamber

I've had a Henry HO10 .45-70 GVT for a few years now. Hadn't done much shooting with it until recently.

Whilst working up a hardcast load that turned out to be pretty stout (not intentionally), I noticed a ring in the chamber which I can't say I was really aware of before. I guess I've spent more time examining the bore and various parts other than the chamber whilst cleaning. And perhaps just not thought there should be any issues in there. And there weren't until this load.

The first batch didn't give me trouble. It was only 5 rounds. The second batch of 20 gave me a couple sticky extractions. That's when I decided to clean it a bit better than just a brush and a bore snake, and noticed some sort of ring. I should have paid more attention, but I didn't.

The next 20 rounds of the same hardcast load produced some very stiff extractions. I could see a ring mark on the brass. So I took some pics.



I marked the case where the ring is, so I could get an idea of how far into the chamber it was.

Despite not using any wads for any loads (though I had talked about it on another thread), here is this ring. It didn't cause extraction issues with some lighter loads I shot after the last 20 of that hardcast load. Those just popped out as normal.

So my initial thought here was that this load is too much and I have caused the ring in the chamber by using it.

But then I found a few boxes of empty brass that I hadn't cleaned. The first box of Hornady 325 FTX that I ever put through the rifle. A second newer box of the same that I had used to sight in with when I installed new sights. And a half box of empties of Buffalo Bore Magnum 350gr JFP that I couldn't shoot more of because they hurt too much. All of these where shot before I started working up this hardcast load, and all have a faint ring on them in the same place. Which means the ring was likely there from the beginning and I was just too ignorant to notice it for what it was.

So there's now another possibility with the sticky extraction. All the brass I've used for this load workup is Starline. It was original from some cowboy load that I bought 5 boxes of online. I've just been cycling through this used brass for various loads so it's been getting some real wear. In fact the only time I recall loading new .45-70 brass was 20 rounds of this hardcast load which I was going to use as field carry ammo (so I haven't shot it yet). All others have been using progressively weaker brass, and that seems like it might be part of the problem.

So before I contact Henry, I'm going to shoot some more Hornady 325gr FTX and see how it extracts. If it goes well, I'll try the BB Magnums and see how they extract. If that goes well, I'll try my hardcast load with the new brass and see how those extracts.

Depending on how that goes, I'll have to make a decision about what I really want to do. Of course, there is the possibility that this new load really is just too much, and I do need to back it off. I guess I'll find that out next week.

MCMXI said:

It's very likely that the ring was there from the start, probably due to an issue during the chamber reaming process (no big revelation there), and as you increase pressure you're blowing more of the brass into the ring which results in hard extraction. Henry will need to replace the barrel for sure but don't mention any handloads. Many manufacturers will try to get out of fixing a problem that they caused if you mention handloads.

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The whole reloads voiding the warranty thing was a concern. I don't really like lying all that much. But I also don't like having that ring in my chamber.

MCMXI said:

I'm 99% sure that the ring was there from the outset so make them fix their problem. It's the only way that you'll be happy and definitely do not mention reloads.

I've seen rings in chambers before, sometimes spiral in nature and sometimes annular. It does happen with damaged reamers, chips getting dragged around etc.

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Thanks. That does make me feel better about it.

243winxb said:

I wonder if a factory may use a wad? Buffalo Bore? View attachment 921989Like this old internet photo. Looks like it would be located in the correct area, to ring the chamber.

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I thought that too. But I never loaded any because I heard about the potential issue of ringing the barrel before I ever tried. And I disassembled one of the Buffalo Bore cartridges to confirm there aren't any in there either.

From what I've read about wads causing ringing, it happens where the wad hits the bullet base. Which would be farther up the chamber. But that's just what I've read.

Quick Update:

I sent the rifle in to Henry. They paid. Turnaround was fast. They wrapped it up nice in paper, a new box, and even sent a thank you card. How nice of them! I just wish they'd actually fixed it.

They "polished" the chamber. There's still a ring in it. I can't really tell that they've done anything worthwhile.

So, an out of spec chamber that wears brass out prematurely, and can't handle higher end reloads with prefired brass. I had to take the sights and recoil pad off, and replace the originals to send it in. Then switch back and re-zero. All for nothing.

However, I did find out that my 'Bear load' extracts fine when using new brass. So I guess I'll just make sure to only use new brass for high end loads, and save the prefired for lower end coated lead or plated loads.

Oh yeah, and as this is the fourth issue I've had with only two guns I've ever bought from Henry, I won't be buying a third firearm from them. I've come to the conclusion they make 'toys' not 'tools'.

briansmithwins said:

If you’re still not happy contact them again. I have a Mini 14 that had to go back to Ruger 3x to fix intermittent FTEj.

BSW

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CarJunkieLS1 said:

EXACTLY tell Henry you paid a premium for a premium rifle, and instead you got a sub standard product because it has a clear chamber defect and you aren't happy about it.

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You know guys, I'll think about it. The issue I have is that if they can't do it right the first time, and then they won't do it right the second time, I don't see any reason to suspect they'll do it right the third time.