Skiddsteer1 Posted June 27 Share Posted June 27 I have an older 1873 carbine chambered in .357 magnum. This rifle cycles my dummies fine, and will cycle through actual rounds at the range (not firing). But when firing the rifle it will occasionally seize at the bottom of the downstroke of the lever and lock up. I will admit that the cartridges are near max at 5.7 grains of Unique with a coal of 1.54. It does not appear that the stop tab is bent in any way. I am now out of Unique but have plenty of Bullseye. Should I start with say 20 or so cartridges at the start charge of 4.3 of Bullseye and go from there? Is it possible that the action is getting too hot? I am loading 158 grn Bear Creek bullets. This rifle has an aluminum carrier and is short stroked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rainmaker, SASS #11631 Posted June 27 Share Posted June 27 If those actions didn't (don't) get too hot with a full load of BP, I seriously don't think you are overheating it with smokeless. Maybe an OAL thing but I'm sure the '73 experts will add their opinions... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene, SASS # 27489 Posted June 27 Share Posted June 27 The OAL is fine. Does it lock up before ejecting the fired round or does it eject but then lock up trying to close the lever? And when it does lock up, what do you do to clear it? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skiddsteer1 Posted June 27 Author Share Posted June 27 It locks up before ejecting. I try to push down on the carrier and this usually clears the action of the empty. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted June 27 Share Posted June 27 Look at your primers for pressure. Loading shorter than 1.580" will certainly raise pressures over what a a full-length OAL would do. If you are showing significant primer flattening or even cratering, that is too hot a load even for normal loading, and certainly very hot for SASS matches. Probably 4.2 grains or so would be a typical load for cowboy matches. Sounds like your fired case sticks when trying to get the carrier to kick it free from the extractor and eject it. Often that is due to the shape of the top of the carrier block, which is what EJECTS the case. Watch your fired case as you run the lever. You should be able to see almost every possible binding cause on a 73 rifle - the action is very visible. good luck, GJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted June 27 Share Posted June 27 Have you tried factory ammo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted June 27 Share Posted June 27 8 hours ago, Skiddsteer1 said: it will occasionally seize at the bottom of the downstroke of the lever and lock up 6 hours ago, Skiddsteer1 said: It locks up before ejecting. I try to push down on the carrier and this usually clears the action of the empty. Your description evolved a little bit between posts. You second post says it locks up and if you push down on the carrier it "clears the action of the empty." If it were "hot" ammo you would be having a problem extracting. What you are describing is a problem ejecting. Your carrier may be worn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skiddsteer1 Posted June 27 Author Share Posted June 27 Larsen, I agree with you that I likely have a worn carrier/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skiddsteer1 Posted July 1 Author Share Posted July 1 Well I got another carrier. But that may not be the problem. When I was putting in the carrier I noticed that the small cross pin holding the extractor on top of the bolt was sticking out and may have come loose during shooting. I have a replacement bolt and I notice that the ends of the pin sticks out just a hair on each side of the bolt. Is this normal? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted July 1 Share Posted July 1 On almost all 73 bolts the extractor pin is hammered in and then the sides of the bolt are ground to make the pin a flush fit. In many cases the pin is ground into the round contour at the top of the bolt. That is why the pins are often hard to remove. They are curved on the ends. On this bolt the pin is mostly in the flats on the side of the bolt and is easier to remove. BUT, it is still flush. If the pin is sticking out more than a FEW thousands it can hit the receiver in the area shown in this photo. Easy to check just look at the pin as it passes the receiver face. On this bolt the pin is right under the two bright spots and clears the receiver with no interference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted July 2 Share Posted July 2 (edited) A loose tail of the extractor from a poorly fit extractor pin can make the extractor lose it's grip on the brass as the carrier rises up to meet it and give it a kick. Resulting in jammed or weak extraction. My test for proper tension- open action half way. Put a fingertip under the nose of the extractor. If you can lift the nose up higher than the top of the bolt without having your finger feel like you are going to tear a groove in it, the extractor does not have enough tension. GJ Edited July 2 by Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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