Roger Rapid

Necked cases like .44-40, .38-40, and .32-20 feed well because the smaller neck and bullet feeds more easily into the cartridge-sized chamber. There's also a lot less blowback from the necked cases than from the straight-walled .45LC and .357. (Because of the straight design of the Lightning's bolt - unlike that of the '73 and '94 - the Lightning is generally prone to blowback.) RR

Irish-Pat... Well, I'm one of those grandfathers ... but in 1955 I got my first rifle which had a pump on it; it was a model 62A Winchester .22 short pump rifle - which I must have put a zillion rounds through over the years - and that started my continuing love for pump rifles. I still have it. RR

Shooting the Lightning and getting used to working the action properly is no different from anything else we learn to do - as it is with chicken-winging a '97, loading and cocking a mule-ear double, slip-hammering our pistols, or working the lever on a '73. It just takes practice. And when you have it down, the Lightning will work just fine and won't let you down. I run a 26" oct-barrel* Pedersoli in .45LC and unless I have a senior moment, it never fails. (Now I wish I didn't underline that word!) There's the great story about the guy walking up to a lady in New York City and aski

Nice run, Doc! And don't belittle the speed or compare it to anyone - it shows great functionality and use of the Lightning. What make and caliber? Nice job!!!! RR

Phantom... Thx... yes, gaining interest in SASS. R

H.K. Interesting post and I don'r think you're over thinking it. Clearly the Lightning is gaining popularity and more and more folks are shooting them. I think a Lightning lovers group would be interesting, valuable for information exchange, and much fun (although I'd urge a different name). Count me in. Maybe you and I should grab some phone time? RR

Cowpokes… We’ve received several emails and inquiries about how, if any, the 2021 SASS Western Regional / 26th Annual Chorro Valley ShootOut will be affected by safe distancing, mask requirements, mask-only posses, and so on. We are happy to announce that effective today, June 15, California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared that California is now open for interactive events (with certain caveats that do not pertain to our event). As a result, masks will not be require

German Jim... Rifles and shotguns are not considered concealed weapons (CA PC 12025) and therefore do not have to be in locked cases. As with any gun, they must be unloaded when transported. Never a bad idea to lock them if you have extra locks, but not necessary. RR

Black RZR... And we'd love to have you! Please register and come shoot with us. Going to be one heck of a super match, and in addition to Royal Flush and Camp Hagg there's there a bunch of wonderful cowboys and cowgirls here to shoot with and learn from, too!!!! RR

Hi Doc... VTI Gunparts carries parts for Pedersoli guns. RR

Your photo is a bit fuzzy and hard for me to see exact angle and position of cartridge on lifter. Here's photo of .45LC round sitting on lifter with bolt all the way back. As Larsen said, without cartridge on lifter, move bolt forward 1/2˝ and place a 10oz weight on the forward end of the lifter (see Fig. 77 in my manual). If lifter drops then its is entirely too loosely fitted. If lifter can drop, then the primer end of your cartridge will drop making the angle too severe and feeding virtually impossible. The lifter must stay up to guide the cartridge into the chamber at a shallow angle.

And Ditto on Larsen's post. Also "35°-40°" is entirely too severe an angle to try to feed rounds into the chamber- The lifter on a Lightning rifle brings the round up at a 7° to 8° degree angle. It looks like I sent you a copy of my Pedersoli Manual. Check Addendum T and Fig. 77. Your lifter might be going down too easily and too early resulting in your cartridge trying to feed at too severe an angle. Is your rifle marked "Navy Arms?" RR

OOOPS --- Just looked at post again and saw photo fo your bullet - I missed it when I looked at your post the last time. That kind of abrasion is not happening from the cartridge stop lever. Looks like the bullet and case are getting dragged against the entry edge of the chamber. (And I see you are shooting .45LC.) Has that cartridge only been in the rifle once or did you try to use it repeated times? RR

OOOPS --- Just looked at post again and saw photo of your bullet - I missed it when I looked at your post the last time. (Unless your "edit" was posting the photo as I was drafting my response.) That kind of abrasion is not happening from the cartridge stop lever. Looks like the bullet and case are getting dragged against the entry edge of the chamber. (And I see you are shooting .45LC.) Has that cartridge only been in the rifle once or did you try to use it repeated times? RR

Doc... Sorry you're having problems with your Lightning. Bunch of things come to mind: 1) Can you better describe the feeding and "failure to lock up" problem? By "failure to lock up" do you mean that action won't close? 2) Does a cartridge feed on to the lifter? 3) When you cycled the rifle so bolt is fully back, is the cartridge secured between the lifter and the cartridge guides (the two little side plates)? (The cartridge should be held securely when the bolt is back.) 4) Your comment that "...all three under 1.560˝..." could be the root off your problem; th