Latch engagement

[cbshtr]

I know there are FAQs about latch engagement but I'm trying to figure out where my situation falls in. I bought a used 243 synthetic and everything seemed solid as a rock. I bore sighted it and then fired at the 65 yard target. The action opened. I had this before with a new gun that I sent back and H&R took care of with no problems since. I tried 2 more shots and same thing. I looked it up in the FAQs. The shelf was a little oily from my intial cleaning but at the same time the release button was tight with the barrel locked up tight. I looked at the shelf and there were a couple burrs so I stoned them with a hard stone so I wouldn't remove much metal. Cleaned it dry and tried again. Still the button was tight. I stoned the bluing off the shelf keep the angles the same parrallel. Then I rubbed it with chalk. I am getting about .055" engagement far less than the .080" recommended. Problem is the button is still tight and the barrel is locked down solid. My other 4 H&R actions have the text book slop with the action locked up. Any ideas here? This barrel and action have matching numbers from 2008. Is it possible to have positive lockup without the slop in the button? My range is about an hour away so its hard to get out and try it out after any changes.

[nanuk-O-dah-Nort]

delete

CW tells it better

[cwlongshot]

I think you may be confusing two different things...

The being  for end loose will may times result in a "loose" action. The latch enagagement needs to be adaquite. So will too much engagement. Be sure the latch in the reciever is CLEAN with nothing to effect the abiltiy to work properly. Also be sure there is no shims attached to the receiver or the barrel. Some people epoxy them in so know what you have BEFORE you remove any material. Its easier to remove material than to add it.

 I like 2/3 to 3/4 of the latch shelf. The release button will be loose if proper enagement AND too much engagement. If you dont have enough engagement and need to remove material form the shelf to get more engagement. VERY important, go slow and be sure you are not changing angles. I use dykem, but magic marker will do just the same. take a few strokes with a file and when marking is gone stop and re mark. All the while making certain not to change angles either side to side or front to back. Once you are close I switch to a stone to finish.

I just fit a Versa-Pac barrel and it took about 10 minutes. The latch only ever so slightly engaged IF I slammed the action. Now I have just past 1/2 of the shelf and complete engagement across the entire shelf.

The two threads that are in the FAQ's are excellent info on this whole process.

Good luck,

CW

[cbshtr]

Good advice. Will double check everything. It is encouraging to know that it is possible to have proper engagement with no slop in the button. Will clean and dry everything then check again for alignment coverage. Thanks.

[gcrank1]

Make sure it is empty
Close it up with some 'authority' (that is, dont just close it up like a finely hand fitted British double)
Close your eyes
Push the button while holding some barrel downpressure; feel, really feel the latch sliding on the shelf as it goes to open
Do this several times and know what you are feeling
Then load it and do it again; sometimes you will get a nice purchase on the lock pieces when empty and not much when loaded
Let us know what you find out

[cbshtr]

Tried it like you said and it feels the same both loaded and unloaded. Measured both ways the latch engagement and was about .080 for each. The barrel feels locked tight both ways. I tried getting movement but it was solid. I just have to shoot it again with a nice dry shelf and see if it stays together on firing. I did try some of the aluminum tape on the shelf and got some wiggle out of the button but it only lasted a couple tries before tearing.

[gcrank1]

My 22Mag Ultra Varmint had occasional pop-opens, I lightly stoned the shelf and made sure it was dry and closed with authority. After that it only popped when I got lax on the close. Over time (some years and about 300 rounds, I guess) it seated in and has caused no trouble since. I prefer to err on the side of a tight fit and some wearing in for something like this.