SAFN - fn49 being ammo picky

[vaupet]

Hy everyone,

I own an FN49 since juli last year and it shot the PRVI ammo (150 gr fmj) without a hickup.
Two weeks ago I was out of ammo and bought 100 pc Sellier Bellot FMJ (two 'training packs of 50).
Guess what: 75 % of the shots I had to manually cycle the action.
Sometimes I had something like a stovepipe,
nearly all the brass got dented.
I always keep my rifles clean and lubed.

Last sunday I was able to buy a box of PRVI 180 gr soft point and I shot them yesterday. No hickup, smooth as a fresh born baby's b...

Anyone had similar experiences?
What can I do because I generally like S&B better because of their better accuracy.

Greetz

Peter

 

[cal30_sniper]

From what I've heard, the FN 49s can be very ammo picky.

I've not shot Prvi/Sellier and Bellot through my '06, but I have shot both through my 7x57, 6.5x55, and .303 Brit rifles. I've noticed that the S&B ammo is usually loaded very hot. If that's the case with whatever caliber you're shooting (.30-06 or 8x57, i'm assuming due to the 180 grn bullet weight which is unavailable in 7x57), that would cause the issues you are talking about.

High gas pressures in a FN 49 can cause "premature extraction" in which the bolt attempts to extract the cartridge while chamber pressures are still very high. This is not only very hard on the rifle, it also can result in ripped off case heads and failure to eject. Other signs include dented cases, long ejection distance, or failure to eject altogether. That sounds like what's happening to you.

Try opening the gas system all the way up to reduce pressure to the gas piston. If that doesn't solve the problem, you'll have to switch the gas system over to single shot mode.

FN 49s don't like really hot ammo. In my experience, S&B is always loaded really hot. Prvi Partizan is more of a middle of the road loading, usually closely approximating military loadings. Prvi also is very accurate in all my rifles, cheap to shoot, and excellent brass for reloading. I'd stick with that if it's working well in your rifle.

 

[vaupet]

Txs for your advice
So I d better stay with Prvi until I will have collected enough bras to start reloading.
Guess I have to fing myself a nice Garand now to legaly dispose of some S&B 30-06

 

[cal30_sniper]

Only if you like replacing broken and bent operating rods, haha.

 

[280shooter]

i have a fn49 in 8mm,, i adjusted the gas ring under the top of the forarm cover,,thats why its there,to let gas out or to keep more in to toss the spent cases out,,i have some mid east ammo, i bought a long time ago.. shoots great,once I adjust the gas port..

 

[gunfish]

The FN49 has adjustable gas vent. When ever a change in ammo is made, some thought should be given to adjusting the gas vent under the top front hand guard. Open the vent until the action will not cycle when fired. Close the vent after each shot until the bolt locks back, then close one more notch. Now the rifle is adjusted for powder charge and bullet weight without violent ejection. Load one round at a time while adjusting.

 

[barnbwt]

+1 on the gas adjustment. The adjustment tube is hidden under the fore, so I imagine some folks may sometimes miss it (especially considering there is a separate gas-cutoff valve). I started out with mine closed, and found the gun will cycle vigorously (Hornady 180gr) on even the lowest gas setting--chucking brass about 12ft, but without damaging it

Sighting in a new load is kind of a pain, since adjustment requires some dissassembly (though you can shoot with the foregrip off), but you can set it and forget it (so long as you remember next time your load changes)

TCB

 

[vaupet]

Txs all for your good advice
I will try this on my nex4 range visit
Still might get the M1 Garand, just in case