Hello Everyone:
I have read the HighRoad for some time. This is my first post, and it is rather long. Here goes! In March of 2007 I purchased a SS 30-06 T/C heavy barrel on E-bay. The barrel had been modified by a gunsmith in Warren, OK. The stated modification was reducing the barrel to 21.5 inches and a spiral port muzzle break. The barrel has never failed to fire commercial ammunition, Federal 165 grain Sierra Gameking BTSP. This was fine up to this year when I started reloading 30-06. Using a Lyman full length resizing die I noted that the reloaded ammunition sometimes misfired with the T/C barrel. I also began noting signs of head separation in the reloaded ammunition when fired through the T/C barrel, but not when fired through a Savage 116 bolt action 30-06. I have measured the datum line on unfired ammunition and on cases fired through both the Savage and the T/C. My measuring device is atypical so I will describe it. I am using a long 11/32 hex-head socket from Kobalt tools, and an electronic caliper. I am providing information on unfired Federal 165 grain Gameking BTSP for documentation of the accuracy of the tool. All measurements are made on three separate cases. The unfired federal cartridges datum line is (2.052, 2.053, 2.052). On the Federal ammunition fired once through the Savage (Column 1), and Federal ammunition fired once through the T/C (Column 2).
Column 1 Column 2
Datum line total case length Datum line total case length
2.055 2.490 2.072 2.501
2.054 2.488 2.073 2.498
2.054 2.487 2.073 2.497
Note the increase in both the datum line and the total case length when fired through the T/C barrel. The total length in the T/C fired cases is less worrisome. However, the increase in the datum line may, according to my reading and understanding, suggest a problem with the headspace for the barrel. T/C will not work with the barrel anymore as the barrel was modified by the gunsmith in Warren, OK.
The questions I have are as follows:
1. Is there a headspace problem or can I reload fired cases from the T/C? I have tried neck resizing the cases with a Lee collet die. However, the datum line is so long that the Lee die sets the shoulder back sometimes.
2. If the barrel requires repair, what would be the best repair for the barrel?
3. If the chamber is to long should the barrel be rechambered.
Thank you for your time and thoughts.
I have read the HighRoad for some time. This is my first post, and it is rather long. Here goes! In March of 2007 I purchased a SS 30-06 T/C heavy barrel on E-bay. The barrel had been modified by a gunsmith in Warren, OK. The stated modification was reducing the barrel to 21.5 inches and a spiral port muzzle break. The barrel has never failed to fire commercial ammunition, Federal 165 grain Sierra Gameking BTSP. This was fine up to this year when I started reloading 30-06. Using a Lyman full length resizing die I noted that the reloaded ammunition sometimes misfired with the T/C barrel. I also began noting signs of head separation in the reloaded ammunition when fired through the T/C barrel, but not when fired through a Savage 116 bolt action 30-06. I have measured the datum line on unfired ammunition and on cases fired through both the Savage and the T/C. My measuring device is atypical so I will describe it. I am using a long 11/32 hex-head socket from Kobalt tools, and an electronic caliper. I am providing information on unfired Federal 165 grain Gameking BTSP for documentation of the accuracy of the tool. All measurements are made on three separate cases. The unfired federal cartridges datum line is (2.052, 2.053, 2.052). On the Federal ammunition fired once through the Savage (Column 1), and Federal ammunition fired once through the T/C (Column 2).
Column 1 Column 2
Datum line total case length Datum line total case length
2.055 2.490 2.072 2.501
2.054 2.488 2.073 2.498
2.054 2.487 2.073 2.497
Note the increase in both the datum line and the total case length when fired through the T/C barrel. The total length in the T/C fired cases is less worrisome. However, the increase in the datum line may, according to my reading and understanding, suggest a problem with the headspace for the barrel. T/C will not work with the barrel anymore as the barrel was modified by the gunsmith in Warren, OK.
The questions I have are as follows:
1. Is there a headspace problem or can I reload fired cases from the T/C? I have tried neck resizing the cases with a Lee collet die. However, the datum line is so long that the Lee die sets the shoulder back sometimes.
2. If the barrel requires repair, what would be the best repair for the barrel?
3. If the chamber is to long should the barrel be rechambered.
Thank you for your time and thoughts.
If thats how it works, then you just need to control how you size your brass for the T/C.