Author Topic: Is it my primers? (Read 911 times)

coon-hunter1 · « **on:** June 03, 2006, 03:26:55 PM »

I have a .50 cal sidekick and was out shooting it this afternoon and I am having trouble with the fireing pin not hitting the primer hard enough to fire it. When I look at the primer after a missfire it is barely nicked. This will happen 2 or 3 times then it it will fire. I have tried changing primer carriers without any noticable change. Is this the primers I am using (cci) or does the gun need service work. Thanks for the help.

Busta · « **Reply #1 on:** June 03, 2006, 06:06:32 PM »

Coon-hunter1,

Sorry to hear of your problems, sounds like it is the gun to me.

Try this:

Either remove the barrel or just open the action, then cock the hammer, pull the trigger while riding the hammer all the way forward. Keep the trigger pulled all the way back while doing this, now with the hammer all the way forward look and see how far the firing pin is protruding out from the standing breech. Measure this if you have a way. This should let you see right away if the firing pin is out far enough to effectively set off a primer. Most CCI primers are on the hard side and I have never had a problem with a Winchester primer.

Make sure the hammer is falling all the way forward and also check the transfer bar to make sure it is fully extended and in front of the firing pin when the trigger is pulled. You can rock the hammer back and forth while the trigger is pulled and watch the movement of the firing pin.

I would try another primer like Winchesters and see if you still have the problem. Also look around the firing pin area to make sure there is nothing (gunk, crud) in there that would impede the forward movement of the hammer or transfer bar.

It would surprize you to know some of the crud that is in these brand new guns and what wonders a good cleaning can do sometimes. Check it out and get back with the results.

coon-hunter1 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 04, 2006, 04:17:06 PM »

I did what you recomended, everything seemd to bo o.k. with the hammer, transfer-bar and fireing pin. I did put some break-free on the firing pin and worked it back and forth some. Alot of crud worked its way out of the hole. I did get some winchester primers and it fired 25 for 25 with no problems. Thanks for your help.

Busta · « **Reply #3 on:** June 04, 2006, 04:37:29 PM »

Good deal! These are some fine shooting guns, but they all need a good cleaning before going to the range the first time. Glad to hear it was something as simple as crud as is usually the case unfortunately. :? There might have been some metal shavings in there too getting wedged between the pin and opening. Saves a trip back to the factory for something that should already be done before it leaves there. Have you worked up a good load for it yet?

You might want to give that pin some extra attention when cleaning. I always work break-free in there too to keep the crud down and have never had a problem. :grin:

coon-hunter1 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 04, 2006, 05:50:05 PM »

No I havent really got too serious about working up a load yet. I am just getting used to the gun and getting it broke in. I have got some real good groups with 90gr of 3f american pioneer with a patched round ball though. :eek:
Any input about what works well for you would be helpful and greatly appreciated though. I am kind of on a tight budget with my shooting for the next few month because my kids are in 4H shooting sports and that takes up most of the shooting money.
Thanks again for the help.

Busta · « **Reply #5 on:** June 05, 2006, 05:50:31 AM »

I shoot everything from 200 grain Shockwaves to 460 grain No Excuses conicals. All are very accurate except the lighter PowerBelts which I don't recommend for hunting Big Game and they are too expensive for target shooting.

Just a few loads off the top of my head:

200 grain Shockwave with 100 grains Black Mag'3
300 grain SST with 85 grains 777 FFG
430 grain White SS conical/.060" fiber wad with 80 grains 777 FFFG
460 grain No Excuses conical/.060 fiber wad with 80 grains 777 FFFG

Most any saboted bullet in the 250-300 grain range with 80-100 grains (BY VOLUME) of powder should get you in the ball park.

Most any conical in the 400-460 grain range with 65-85 grains (BY VOLUME) of powder with or without some type of wad shold give you the best accuracy.

I haven't shot any round balls out of my huntsman yet, but I have heard they do shoot well at moderate powder levels. Think I'll give 'em a try. Should be a good plinker/woodchuck load at 50 grains of powder or so.

I shot my Elk last fall with a 430 grain conical w/fiber gasket wad on 80 grains 777 FFFG. I also took a last day muzzleloader whitetail at 170 yards with this same load. Knocks 'em dead! :grin:

Odinbreaker · « **Reply #6 on:** June 06, 2006, 12:43:05 PM »

Coon Hunter
glad you solved your problem I thought these folks could help you. I hope all works out ok

nea243 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 06, 2006, 06:59:26 PM »

has anyone used powerbelts and pyrodex pellets in a huntsman on deer size game if so what grain bullet and what kind of results did u get. also how was the accuracy.
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steve