FTF

[SSN Vet]

Loaded Berry's 150 gr plated FN into RP .30-30 cases and have seated to the same OAL as I use for Win and Sierra Jacketed FN bullets.

I've loaded and shot this bullet before in my 336 with no problems cycling the action, though I'm convinced that I won't be able to get good accuracy when pushing upwards of 2,000 fps (I know Berry's says to limit the velocity to 1,700 fps on their rifle bullets, but I've been experimenting and trying to see how fast I can push these to avoid re-setting the sights).

So, this last trip out, I'm testing out my first attempt at a trigger job, and used my last 10 loaded Berry's, as I was just testing for function.

Surprisingly, I had problems closing the action the last bit.

Then, had a FTF, with what looked like a light primer strike.

That round had very light rifling marks on the plated bullet.

I think the ogee may have varied on the bullet. If it was "skinny" it may have seated long. If it was fat, it may have contacted the rifling, where others had not.

Could the slightly over long cartridge or the hard closing action, possibly account for the light primer strike?

or ...

did I obviously take to much off of the main spring?

 

[rcmodel]

Could the slightly over long cartridge or the hard closing action, possibly account for the light primer strike?

or ...

did I obviously take to much off of the main spring?

Heres my guess!
Yes!
And Yes!

The long seated bullet held the case rim off the chamber mouths headspace surface.

That cushioned the hammer impact from the already too weak hammer spring because it had to drive the cartridge into the chamber first before it could set off the primer.

A full strength hammer spring would have driven the case home and fired it.

Thats my guess & I'm sticking too it!

rcmodel

 

[NCsmitty]

Did you recock the hammer and try it again? Probably would have fired then. The berry bullet is probably shaped differently than the jacketed bullets, as you surmised. Just seat them a little deeper I would guess. The 336 doesn't have the camming power of a bolt.

NCsmitty

 

[SSN Vet]

Did you recock the hammer and try it again?

nope... wanted to bring the cartridge home and measure the distance from the head to the marks on the bullet.

Will probably make up a dummy cartridge out of this one for use untill I use up the plated bullets.

The long seated bullet held the case rim off the chamber mouths headspace surface.
That cushioned the hammer impact from the already too weak hammer spring

I hope that's it.....

I took down the rifle to check out some of the "gritty" feeling in the lever action and used the opportunity to work on the sear some more and to smooth up some of the bearing surfaces in the action.

I'm hoping the modified main spring will work with properly seated bullets, as the trigger pull is now really sweet.