.222 Firing Pin Problems - The Firearms Forum

3/2 STA SS · 10-20-2010, 10:48 AM

I have a .222 Sako Heavy barreled bench rest rifle and I am have a problem with what I call '' light firing pin strikes.'' I notice that the rifle will only fire if the primer on the bottom of the case is not or appears to be not seated entirely. I notice this in hand loads that my grandfather loaded many years ago. It is a great rifle and built like a tank- I just want it to function properly. Any suggestions? I am very familiar with taking apart a Rem. 700 bolt but not a Sako bolt.

Jim K · 10-20-2010, 11:31 AM

How does the rifle perform with new factory ammo? Not to bad mouth your grandfather, but he might have made mistakes in reloading or those old primers might be going bad.

Jim

3/2 STA SS · 10-20-2010, 03:23 PM

Sometimes they work-sometimes they don't . It is as if the firing pin just isn't getting through the opening enough to give a good solid strike. I am wondering if the firing pin is worn out.

azstubie · 10-20-2010, 04:13 PM

check firing pin protusion and headspace, both can affect primer strikes

AngelDeville · 10-20-2010, 06:43 PM

Measure a fired factory case length VS an unfired factory case length, pay attention to the length of the shoulder as well.

If the headspace (ie; where the shoulder fits the chamber) is worn out, the cartridge is being pushed forward by the firing pin.

that's how you can tell if you need to get a gunsmith involved.

Jim K · 10-20-2010, 07:29 PM

I suggest first having the headspace checked. Then if that is OK, you could have a weak firing pin spring or a damaged firing pin, but I think those are unlikely unless the rifle was stored away cocked, then the firing pin spring might be weak. In most bolts it is not too easy to check firing pin protrusion, but you can do a fair job by eyeball. It should be at least .06". Headspace in the chamber doesn't wear out, but if the rifle has been fired a lot the locking lugs can have compressed and that will cause excess headspace. (It takes thousands of round to do that and few sporting rifles ever reach that point.)

Jim

3/2 STA SS · 10-20-2010, 09:06 PM

Thank you gentlemen for the insight and I will investigate further.

10-20-2010, 10:48 AM	#1
3/2 STA SS Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Area, FL Posts: 1,440	.222 Firing Pin Problems I have a .222 Sako Heavy barreled bench rest rifle and I am have a problem with what I call '' light firing pin strikes.'' I notice that the rifle will only fire if the primer on the bottom of the case is not or appears to be not seated entirely. I notice this in hand loads that my grandfather loaded many years ago. It is a great rifle and built like a tank- I just want it to function properly. Any suggestions? I am very familiar with taking apart a Rem. 700 bolt but not a Sako bolt. --> Last edited by 3/2 STA SS; 10-20-2010 at 10:50 AM..

10-20-2010, 11:31 AM	#2
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: .222 Firing Pin Problems How does the rifle perform with new factory ammo? Not to bad mouth your grandfather, but he might have made mistakes in reloading or those old primers might be going bad. Jim

10-20-2010, 03:23 PM	#3
3/2 STA SS Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Area, FL Posts: 1,440	Re: .222 Firing Pin Problems Sometimes they work-sometimes they don't . It is as if the firing pin just isn't getting through the opening enough to give a good solid strike. I am wondering if the firing pin is worn out.

10-20-2010, 04:13 PM	#4
azstubie Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 33	Re: .222 Firing Pin Problems check firing pin protusion and headspace, both can affect primer strikes

10-20-2010, 06:43 PM	#5
AngelDeville Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ABQ Posts: 644	Re: .222 Firing Pin Problems Measure a fired factory case length VS an unfired factory case length, pay attention to the length of the shoulder as well. If the headspace (ie; where the shoulder fits the chamber) is worn out, the cartridge is being pushed forward by the firing pin. that's how you can tell if you need to get a gunsmith involved. __________________ Why don't guns go off "accidentally" when people aren't around?

10-20-2010, 07:29 PM	#6
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: .222 Firing Pin Problems I suggest first having the headspace checked. Then if that is OK, you could have a weak firing pin spring or a damaged firing pin, but I think those are unlikely unless the rifle was stored away cocked, then the firing pin spring might be weak. In most bolts it is not too easy to check firing pin protrusion, but you can do a fair job by eyeball. It should be at least .06". Headspace in the chamber doesn't wear out, but if the rifle has been fired a lot the locking lugs can have compressed and that will cause excess headspace. (It takes thousands of round to do that and few sporting rifles ever reach that point.) Jim

10-20-2010, 09:06 PM	#7
3/2 STA SS Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Area, FL Posts: 1,440	Re: .222 Firing Pin Problems Thank you gentlemen for the insight and I will investigate further.