Flowing primers into firing pin hole...need advice

[ACLakey]

From day one my Savage 12FV rifle has allowed primers to flow into the firing pin hole giving the impression of over pressure when clearly there is none(I have tried with light to warm loads and always the same result) Is this due to a large firing pin hole, small dia firing pin or a weak spring? What do you suggest for fixing it? Any information would be appreciated.

 

[Guest]

Well, the first thing to do is eyeball it. Pull the bolt and twist the rear section of the bolt to place the firing pin in the "fired" position. See if it appears to have space around the pin. If it does, you need a bigger pin. You might not be able to see it, though, if it's very slight.

The cheapest way to go about fixing it, if you can't see space around the pin head, is to buy and install a new spring of heavier weight. If that fixes it, it was likely a weak spring. If not, you've got a good aftermarket spring when you get the pin replaced by an oversized one. Have a gunsmith fit it to your bolt.

 

[ElmerThud]

Is this with all ammo. Factory as well as reloaded ?
Does this occur with different primer manufacturers?
i.e. have you eliminated the above possibilities?
Cheers.

 

[ACLakey]

It does it with everything, factory ect. With CCI450 primers it is less but still noticeable.

Thanks for the info. Any spring recommendations?

 

[ElmerThud]

Seems it certainly points to bolt/firing pin/spring problem then as you suggested.

I've come across primers blown out, but not cases where the primer cap metal is 'Flowing' into the firing pin hole - even on old well worn rifles.
We're all aware there's a lot of pressure at the bolt face when a round is fired, but a properly fitting bolt/bolt face & firing pin assembly shouldn't be allowing any flowing to occur.

New firing pin & spring components isn't going to break the bank and worth replacing to either correct or eliminate these as the cause of the problem.
Best of luck, Cheers.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

I've flowed primers before, but it's usually Winchester of Federal primers at some pretty stiff pressures. I'm suprised the CCI's are flowing. They will usually blow first.

 

[efw]

IIRC Savage is known for this problem due to larger than necessary pin holes. I believe that the thing to do is take the rifle and some fired cases to a good 'smith and have him install a bushing in the firing pin hole.

I have this issue w/ my 110 which I rebarreled to 338-06 AI and with my 112 BVSS in 6.5-284 Norma. I just lived with it, but wasn't pushing things either. If you really want to see what the cartridge can do you'll want to get a bushing installed.

Seems to me there was an article about it in Precision Shooting not too long ago, and they used a Savage as test subject but I can't recall exactly.

I need one in my 03-A3 chambered to 6-250. That thing craters primers even on mild loads, too.

 

[SJB358]

IIRC Savage is known for this problem due to larger than necessary pin holes. I believe that the thing to do is take the rifle and some fired cases to a good 'smith and have him install a bushing in the firing pin hole.

I have this issue w/ my 110 which I rebarreled to 338-06 AI and with my 112 BVSS in 6.5-284 Norma. I just lived with it, but wasn't pushing things either. If you really want to see what the cartridge can do you'll want to get a bushing installed.

Seems to me there was an article about it in Precision Shooting not too long ago, and they used a Savage as test subject but I can't recall exactly.

I need one in my 03-A3 chambered to 6-250. That thing craters primers even on mild loads, too.

The couple of Remingtons I have owned were pretty bad. The Whelen is pretty decent, but the 25-06 and my son's 243 are kinda bad.. Scotty

 

[Ridge_Runner]

have the firing pin hole in the bolt bushed, if your not over pressure the hole is too big letting the metal flow around the pin.
RR

 

[Oldtrader3]

I have had a couple of rifles that do that. One was a Savage Model 11, .270, the other is a Mark V, .340 Mag that I have now. The Mark V is because I am running really hot loads and the Savage can always be bushing fitted, as mentioned, if it is too extreme. If it is not too bad with the CCI primers and you like them, they do have harder cups, I have found. I use the CCI 250's for my Mark V now.

I guess that it comes down to how much protrusion you get and how much it bothers you?

 

[nodak7mm]

have the firing pin hole in the bolt bushed, if your not over pressure the hole is too big letting the metal flow around the pin.
RR

I'm thinking with RR on this one... Common occurence with common fix. But before I sent the bolt off I would try a different spring..... I had a TC Contender that had same issue, just lived with it & kept an eye on it as loads were just std.. I can be pretty frugal at times..... :mrgreen:

 

[C.Smith]

If this is a brand new rifle why not contact Savage and see if they will fix it first?

Corey