Had an interesting range day.
Began in .308. The weapon ran perfectly until the last two belts. The bolt handle became hard to charge from it's forward-most position on the last belts, still ran good though. I just can't explain it. Cleaning parts now, maybe that will shed light on the awkward bolt charging.
Ended in 54R. This was my third time firing 54R, and I finally got it right.
1st Trip - Slow rate of fire and "light" primer strikes that would not set off 1/8 rounds.
Actions taken - Advised by Barrelxchange to reduce the front cartridge guide in front of the bolt to allow loading cartridges into the bolt without friction, and use more oil/grease.
2nd trip - Better rate of fire, but light primer strikes 1/10 rounds.
Actions taken - Bought and installed new firing pin springs from Richard Zapperoli at Custom Metal Works in Mesquite, Texas. Switched from swabbing Hoppes #9 oil to using an oiler can with flexible spout line full of 5W30, oiling the weapon continually. Reduced the front cartridge guide more towards the feed end.
3rd Trip - Optimal rate of fire, only had to charge the handle 3 times to advance/reload out of 650 rounds.
Actions Taken - Bought more new firing pin springs from Custom Metal Works. Saving money to get another barrel cut by Troy. Every round that had formerly not discharged on range trip #2 from "light primer strike" fed through my 1919 once I put in the new firing pin springs from Custom Metal Works... that spring made all the difference! Much better primer strikes as compared to the previous range trips.
Many thanks to Troy at Barrelxchange and Rich at Custom Metal Works for helping me shoot below $0.24 per round!!!!!!!
Began in .308. The weapon ran perfectly until the last two belts. The bolt handle became hard to charge from it's forward-most position on the last belts, still ran good though. I just can't explain it. Cleaning parts now, maybe that will shed light on the awkward bolt charging.
Ended in 54R. This was my third time firing 54R, and I finally got it right.
1st Trip - Slow rate of fire and "light" primer strikes that would not set off 1/8 rounds.
Actions taken - Advised by Barrelxchange to reduce the front cartridge guide in front of the bolt to allow loading cartridges into the bolt without friction, and use more oil/grease.
2nd trip - Better rate of fire, but light primer strikes 1/10 rounds.
Actions taken - Bought and installed new firing pin springs from Richard Zapperoli at Custom Metal Works in Mesquite, Texas. Switched from swabbing Hoppes #9 oil to using an oiler can with flexible spout line full of 5W30, oiling the weapon continually. Reduced the front cartridge guide more towards the feed end.
3rd Trip - Optimal rate of fire, only had to charge the handle 3 times to advance/reload out of 650 rounds.
Actions Taken - Bought more new firing pin springs from Custom Metal Works. Saving money to get another barrel cut by Troy. Every round that had formerly not discharged on range trip #2 from "light primer strike" fed through my 1919 once I put in the new firing pin springs from Custom Metal Works... that spring made all the difference! Much better primer strikes as compared to the previous range trips.
Many thanks to Troy at Barrelxchange and Rich at Custom Metal Works for helping me shoot below $0.24 per round!!!!!!!