Gun Owning Smokers

[Mizicke5273]

It is a shame they rushed through the Dark Tower. I did not read the books, but can tell there was like a metric shit ton of stuff they only hinted at. It could have been so much better I think, if they just followed up on a few of the threads they hinted at. The plot was very simple and straight forward. See bad guy, fight bad guy; that is it. Nothing more really. I did enjoy it though.

Anyways, I took my New Army to range again on Saturday. This trip had some issues; after about 18 shots, the barrel would not cycle properly. I think it needs to be cleaned after every outing; so I'm gona clean it up real good and try again in..........maybe three or four weeks.

[CptnBlues63]

It is a shame they rushed through the Dark Tower. I did not read the books, but can tell there was like a metric shit ton of stuff they only hinted at. It could have been so much better I think, if they just followed up on a few of the threads they hinted at. The plot was very simple and straight forward. See bad guy, fight bad guy; that is it. Nothing more really. I did enjoy it though.

Anyways, I took my New Army to range again on Saturday. This trip had some issues; after about 18 shots, the barrel would not cycle properly. I think it needs to be cleaned after every outing; so I'm gona clean it up real good and try again in..........maybe three or four weeks.

If you like King you should read the Gunslinger series. It's his magnum opus and touches on pretty much almost everything else he's written (for example, the man in black first appeared as the bad guy in "The Stand"). I know I thoroughly enjoyed the gunslinger series so you might too.

If you're running black powder you for sure have to clean them regularly. I would agree after every use. Black powder is a lot "dirtier" and it's also more corrosive than modern smokeless powders. It leaves a lot more crap in your firearm than modern powders ever could.

I'm not a huge fan of cleaning my guns after every single use, you don't really have to. If I know I'm going to use them several times over the next month say, I'll only clean them after several uses. With my hunting rifles, I don't clean them properly the entire month of November when I'm actively hunting. The most I will do (and do actually do after firing) is run a bore snake through them. They get the proper cleaning when I pack them away for the winter.

I hope it performs better on the next outing!

Things are melting here nicely (finally) and I'm really (make that REALLY) looking forward to getting out to the range too!

[Mizicke5273]

Nah, not using black powder, just regular .45 Colt ammo. I think I found the issue during my latest range trip. I still ran into the chamber cycling issue, even after a real good cleaning. I noticed this time, fresh ammo from the box cycled fine; for two or three shots before the chamber would not cycle. I had a few rounds from the last range session that didn't cycle then and didn't cycle this time. Then I tried single shots from different chambers, fresh ammo worked and ones I already had chambered previously did not cycle. Hmmmm.......I then tried firing single shots of fresh ammo again, this time leaving the empty shell in the chamber and just loading another new shell in the next chamber.....no issues. I fired about ten shells this way and all fired with out a hitch. I then tried another shell that was previously chambered and it would not cycle again. So I started to look at the ammo, comparing a fresh shell from the box to one that would not cycle. Its barely noticeable, but it looks like the bullet on the shell that was chambered and would not cycle, was just slightly ever so pulled from the casing. So there appears to be the tiniest gap between the casing mouth and where bullet was previously seated compared to a fresh shell, thus causing the bullet to be too long to cycle.

So I'll have to try a different brand and see if I can find one that uses a roll crimp. At least until I get my reloads ready for use.

[Mangyrat]

Black powder was mentioned, I just picked up 2 used 1851 Piette 44's and will be getting back in to shooting them very soon.

For your ammo problems look at picking up a chamber gauge for the 45 colt, sounds like the bullets were not seated properly.

[Mizicke5273]

Yeah, my dad just bought on of those Chamber Gauges. They are a nice and handy tool. So I'm gona get one for my range bag and workbench. Oh and nice looking pistols those 1851s! I just did a Google search on them and they are very nice looking. What length barrel are yours?

[CptnBlues63]

Nah, not using black powder, just regular .45 Colt ammo. I think I found the issue during my latest range trip. I still ran into the chamber cycling issue, even after a real good cleaning. I noticed this time, fresh ammo from the box cycled fine; for two or three shots before the chamber would not cycle. I had a few rounds from the last range session that didn't cycle then and didn't cycle this time. Then I tried single shots from different chambers, fresh ammo worked and ones I already had chambered previously did not cycle. Hmmmm.......I then tried firing single shots of fresh ammo again, this time leaving the empty shell in the chamber and just loading another new shell in the next chamber.....no issues. I fired about ten shells this way and all fired with out a hitch. I then tried another shell that was previously chambered and it would not cycle again. So I started to look at the ammo, comparing a fresh shell from the box to one that would not cycle. Its barely noticeable, but it looks like the bullet on the shell that was chambered and would not cycle, was just slightly ever so pulled from the casing. So there appears to be the tiniest gap between the casing mouth and where bullet was previously seated compared to a fresh shell, thus causing the bullet to be too long to cycle.

So I'll have to try a different brand and see if I can find one that uses a roll crimp. At least until I get my reloads ready for use.

Now that's how you troubleshoot an ammo/cycling issue!

Good job and I agree with Mangy and your own findings.......bad ammo. While not usual, it does happen. Here's hoping the next batch you buy performs properly. Oh, if it were me, I'd contact the manufacturer.........there's a chance they might feel it necessary to replace the box(es) of poorly made ammo.

My range is still covered in snow and I'm chomping at the bit to get out there. I'm hoping 2 or 3 weeks tops and I should be able to!

[CptnBlues63]

Finally got out to the range last week with my oldest brother. He just retired about 6 months ago and him and his wife spent a day or two here as they slowly work their way east visiting family and friends along the way back to Saskatoon area (they live in Vancouver, BC) I took him out fishing bright and early that morning and we had a blast as the fish were biting like crazy.........then the range in the afternoon.

My first 4 rounds out of my Remington 700 were under 1" at 100 yards...........gotta love that gun/scope combo. My older brother was very impressed with the scope and I'm willing to bet he'll be investing in a better one himself real soon.

There's nothing like looking through high quality optics to make you realize just how crappy your $100 scope is. I know that's what did it for me.......looking through our youngest brother's $2,500.00 NightForce scope.

[Mangyrat]

Way to hot to hit the range so went gun shopping.

I was looking for a 308 but was talking to a friend i normally go gun buying with and that bastard talked me in to a 45/70 that a different friend had for sale at a good price.
New toy - Henry 45/70 brass receiver octagon barrel and Large-loop lever, gun was not used still had the box for it $500 and along with 60 rounds of ammo.
I am not looking forward to feeding this rifle at $1.75 a round its as bad as my 300 win mag.

Also picked up a junk Stephens bolt action 22 as a project gun to see if i can make it a usable gun again, it is in really bad shape but it was free.

Yep back on gun restriction for a while so even if i do find the 308 at a great price i cant get it.

[CptnBlues63]

Way to hot to hit the range so went gun shopping.

I was looking for a 308 but was talking to a friend i normally go gun buying with and that bastard talked me in to a 45/70 that a different friend had for sale at a good price.
New toy - Henry 45/70 brass receiver octagon barrel and Large-loop lever, gun was not used still had the box for it $500 and along with 60 rounds of ammo.
I am not looking forward to feeding this rifle at $1.75 a round its as bad as my 300 win mag.

Also picked up a junk Stephens bolt action 22 as a project gun to see if i can make it a usable gun again, it is in really bad shape but it was free.

Yep back on gun restriction for a while so even if i do find the 308 at a great price i cant get it.

Gun restriction

That Henry is a nice rifle and would make a great bush gun. The bullets would not deflect easily and you could drop pretty much anything up to and including an elephant with that. Great price on it too.............I can see why you didn't pass it up.

Make sure you take some before photo's of the .22 so we can see what it looked like before you started working on it.