Need help on Browning Safari 338

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Recently finished a Cerakote job on a Browning Safari chambered in 338 and now the gun will not cycle. Gas port appears to be unobstructed and can be blown through freely by simply plugging the chamber and blowing into the muzzle. I have checked and triple checked reassembly and can not find anything out of place. Help or information on the gas adjustments for this particular rifle would be greatly appreciated.

 

[rcmodel]

If you took the gas regulating / adjustment screw out, you screwed up big time.

It is factory regulated and should Never me moved.

Even the shop manual doesn't tell you how to properly adjust it for safety reasons.

Click on the manual to download it.

http://www.midwestgunworks.com/field_service_manual/browning_bar_safari_mkii_ltwgt_fsm.pdf

rc

 

[RainDodger]

Will not cycle by hand, or when fired?

It is TOTALLY possible to put the piston in backwards and you've got a single shot until you reverse that little bugger. Don't ask how I know. At least that's what can happen with a Safari in .243, and I assume they're the same.

It can be really embarrassing when you drive an hour to get to a rifle range and you didn't bring either a second rifle or your tools. AUGH!

Check it out.

 

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Cycles fine when done manually but not when fired. I had not adjusted the factory set screws at all after finishing the job and followed the manual to a T when reassembling the gun. Have checked and rechecked my work on reassembly. I took the gun to another gunsmith in my area to get a second opinion and the first thing he did was to remove the adjustment screws in the gas block which just compounded the problem. The bolt and action assembly in the rifle are moving freely with only spring tension resistance. gas piston is in correctly but the gun would not cycle when fired even before the other guy messed with the adjustment screws.

Has anyone ever heard of the baking process involved with Cerakote causing issues?

Is there some sort of secret switch on these guns that essentially turns it into a bolt action that they don't teach us about while learning the gunsmithing trade?