The saga of my Searcy BSS 470 continues. I load 106gr of IMR4831 under Woodleigh softs. This is the load Butch told me to use. It regulates well with these. However, the action is a little stiff to open after firing. Is this the DR version of sticky extraction, as in high pressure? The cases look fine, no cratering, etc.

Pretty normal on a new double. I wouldn't worry. I had a little experience with that load tho and I found it to kick like hell.

quote:

Originally posted by els:
Pretty normal on a new double. I wouldn't worry. I had a little experience with that load tho and I found it to kick like hell.

A BSS Searcy is anything but "NEW"! Butch hasn't made one of these since about 1990! The load that gets the velocity to regulate with a 500 gr bullet, is suposed to KICK LIKE HELL!

Marty, I'd back off one grain at a time till the stickiness goes away. Because the rifle is shooting all the bullets in a composite group doesn't mean it is regulateing properly!This is a common misconception. If the CENTER of each barrel's individule group, is on point of aim, then the barrels are crossing slightly, at that range,(slightly fast) and this isn't regulating properly. This indicates the load is slightly fast. By backing off one grain at a time till the CENTER of the right barrel is slightly on the right of point of aim, and the CENTER of the left barrel group is slightly on the left of point of aim, with all shots from both barrels forming an over lapping composite group is proper regulation.

Stickiness in opening the action is not acceptable. One grain less may do the trick! These rifles are old, and who knows what has been shot in these rifles, by previous owners? The rifle may be a little off face, and springing enough to bend the cases lightly.

Take the empty cases after fireing, keeping track of which barrel they came from, and roll them accross a glass top tabel, and watch to see if the rim seems to wobble, indicateing the rim being bent out of line with the rest of the case. If this is the case, the rim will seem to wobble. Also if this is the case, the case my close fine on the case, but if you turn the case 90 degs it may not want to close easily. All this indicates an off face rifle or a load that is too heavy!

Also take the forend off the rifle, then turn the rifle up side down, hold the opening lever to the open position, then check for looseness between the barrel set, and the breach face by trying to move the barrels side to side. If looseness is evident, then the rifle may need tightening, by re-hooking.


Back off to 105, then 104 if that doesn't do it, and so on! I believe this is all you will need with this rifle, but I'd not continue to use a load that caused stickiness on opening!

Good luck, and let me know what you find!

Even though Butch recommends the load with 4831, maybe try RL 15 with a foam (Kynoch) filler. This works perfect in my Merkel....but still kicks like a pi$$ed off mule! I think if it didn't...it wouldn't be doing what it's supposed to!
Best of luck.

Gary

Resolution-
Reduced loads wre no better. I noticed that even my reduced 5477 practice loads were just a little stiff. I talked to Butch, who was, as usual, happy to spend a little of his time helping out. It was a simple lubrication issue! I had been lubing the action with Break free, not grease. Clearly a newbie stunt. With an application of Berreta grease, the problem went away.

quote:

I talked to Butch, who was, as usual, happy to spend a little of his time helping out. It was a simple lubrication issue! I had been lubing the action with Break free, not grease. Clearly a newbie stunt. With an application of Berreta grease, the problem went away.

Don't you wish all gun manufacturers were like Butch????

ramrod340
If you still notice some stickiness with the grease you are using try some Tetra Gun Grease.