Do single shot rifles have different chambers than bolt actions?

[newdude]

So, i was looking at a H&R handi rifle, right? Basically, i was wondering, single shot rifles let the cartridge all the way into the chamber, rather than how a bolt action works, letting the thing most of the way in, and holding the face itself, or am i way off track here? I was thinking that they ream the chamber in farther or something, is this correct?
Please explain how this works,

Thanks,
Neal

 

[NCsmitty]

All firearms US manufacturer's use chamber reamers that meet SAAMI specifications in their standard chambering's. There are some firearms makers that have custom shops that do allow variations in their chambering's.
Some specialty maker's will grind reamer's to your specifications and charge accordingly.

NCsmitty

 

[newdude]

Okay, so how do the single shot rifles have a flat "bolt" face taht simply sits there, keeping the cartridge in the chamber rather than actually holding it like a bolt actions bolt does? Thanks for the reply.

 

[tunnug]

since the cartridge does not need to be grabbed and pulled out of the chamber the bolt face can be flat, with the bolt closed on either rifle the dimmensions of the chamber are the same.

If you were inside the chamber on either rifle you would not know or care what the outside looked like, you would just see that both chambers held you in and both looked the same.

 

[newdude]

Okay, i am really not explaining this well..... let me try to explain better. I have a marlin 336, in 30-30. When i close the bolt, it pushes the cartridge so that the rim is all that is left outside, and the bolt "encases" it. Then i have a NEF single shot 20ga shotgun, and there is a little "step" for where the rim goes, so there is NOTHING sticking out past the barrel breech. If it didn't have this step, then there would be a gap between the "bolt" and the breech, where the rim is. It is my understanding that the single shot rifles such as the H&R handi rifle and TC encore do the same thing, with a "step", but how is this done for rimless cartridges? It seems that they would have to ream it farther in so that the rim would not stick out?

Sorry for the confusion.

 

[tunnug]

If you were inside the chamber on either rifle you would not know or care what the outside looked like, you would just see that both chambers held you in and both looked the same.

this still applies, that is why headspace is so important, rimless cartridges are from the shoulder, straight walled are from the lip which is why you don't roll crimp 9mm, 45acp etc.

If this is still not clear you'll need to look at abc's of reloading (even if you don't reload) it will explain with pictures and text.

 

[jbkebert]

For the question how does the extractor work on a encore or handi rifle work on a rimless cartridge. The step as you called it is actually a extractor much like that on your lever gun. The extractor engages the cannalar of the brass. The small grove between the base of the cartridge and the wall. When the action is closed the rim or cannular is locked into place by the extractor. The process of closing the action slides the extractor forward and seats the cartridge into the chamber for firing. Then opening the action the extractor slides to the rear allowing you to pick the spent cartridge from the chamber and to load another round.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

It's a good question, and I see what you're asking.

But first, to clarify a couple of things: Some bolt actions ARE single shots, and a break-action single shot doesn't HAVE a *bolt*, per se. They have a breech face.

The answer is intertwined with headspacing and all that that entails. The chamber length actually IS longer on the break-action single shot (BASS), all the way to the rear "covering" the rim of a rimless round, but the headspacing is still the same, if that makes sense. The chambers are reamed to a depth which is relative to the headspace control mechanism, which is shoulder or case mouth for a rimless round (depending upon whether it has a shoulder), and rim for a rimmed round. On a BASS, some have extractors and some have ejectors, but either way, the extractor or ejector slips under the rim (whether rimmed or rimless) via a "cutout" at the bottom of the (longer) chamber on a BASS, and as Mr. bkebert said, the ejector/extractor is pushed forward and slips in front of the rim as the gun is closed. Hmmm, I don't know if I'm explaining this very well. Let me go look at some and see if this will help me clarify my explanation.....

 

[jbkebert]

First thing the chambered round is that of a spent cartridge.

I hope this shows you how the extractor and chamber system works in either a handi rifle, or encore, also several others work pretty much the same way.

Dr. Winslow is correct the head spacing is basically the same as a bolt gun. The chamber is slightly lengthend and allows the round to slip forward into position to be fired.

 

[newdude]

The chamber length actually IS longer on the break-action single shot (BASS), all the way to the rear "covering" the rim of a rimless round, but the headspacing is still the same, if that makes sense.

That is exactly what i was wanting to know, thanks! Now, just where do i get a chamber reamer for something like this, or do i just have a gunsmith use the same reamer, just "drill" it in farther? Think major reamer companies keep these things on hand....?



Thanks for the photos jbkebert.

 

[jbkebert]

Okay I'll bite. What exactly do you want to ream out and why? I would suggest taking you gun to a competent gunsmith to do the work.

 

[newdude]

I will send you a PM. Don't want to post it

 

[newdude]

Does anyone know the answer to this question;

Now, just where do i get a chamber reamer for something like this, or do i just have a gunsmith use the same reamer, just "drill" it in farther? Think major reamer companies keep these things on hand....?

???

Thanks,
Neal

 

[jbkebert]

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/catsearch.aspx?k=reamer&ps=10&si=True

Here is where I would start. I still recommend a gunsmith do the drilling. Don't chuck this in a cordless Dewalt and have at it. Good luck be careful and let us know how it all goes.

 

[rcmodel]

Does anyone know the answer to this question;

The same chamber reamers are used.
You just set the headspace deeper, or run them in further, for the flat breach-face of a single shot.

Or put another way, they don't make chamber reamers specific to single-shot rifle chambers.

http://www.pacifictoolandgauge.com/products/reamers/chamber.htm

rc

 

[newdude]

jbkebert,
Don't worry, i am not going to trust something that will hold 50k+ psi to a mysefl, much less a cordless drill

rcmodel,
Thanks, for the info!