I was looking at a very nice Mauser action that Idaho Sharp Shooter is having made into a varmint rifle. I believe the caliber is 375 H&H Improved.

Anyway, the firing pin hole had been enlarged a bit and then bushed. The job was very well done.

A few questions:

1. What diameter is the bushing material usually drilled out to?
2. What diameter is the firing pin usually turned down to?
3. What specification of metal is used to make the bushing?
4. Is the bushing soldered in, or is it usually a tight press fit (e.g. heat the bolt, freeze the bushing material and then install)?
5. Is the back end tapered internally and length matched to the original firing pin hole depth to facilitate keeping the firing pin going back into place during bolt reassembly?
6. Is it a good idea to anneal the bolt face before installation?
7. If it is not too much trouble, could someone provide me with a quick (or slow) description of the overall bushing process.

I am really jealous of ISS's bolt face.

Thanks for your help and consideration.

LD

Like the song says, there are fifty ways. Most are adequate and several are superior and several others are dog doo-doo.

But IMO do not, repeat DO NOT anneal the bolt face and always, repeat ALWAYS provide an internal taper to guide and clear the nose of the striker while moving forward.

Material? Any tough steel, not necessarily hard but rather tough.

Attachment? Soft solder, epoxy, shrinking/pressing, screw threads, all (& more) can be used successfully IF done properly.

Dimensions? Striker nose diameter between ~0.035" and 0.085" depending, nose protrusion between 0.025" and 0.060" depending AND PROPORTIONAL TO THE DIAMETER, nose clearance ~0.004" or less.

Use the larger-size dimensions for bolt rifles taking cartridges with LR primers; use the smaller dimensions for bolt rifles taking SR primers or intended for Benchrest competition, and also for most older single shot rifles; additionally, single shot rifles built for interchangeable barrels with one being in 22RF will ABSOLUTELY REQUIRE that the nose protrusion be less than 0.042"!

DO NOT USE silver-solder or brazing to attach the bushing in a bolt rifle, also DO NOT WELD on a bolt action rifle's bolt head!

This is serious business and should be left to an experienced and knowledgeable practitioner. The requirements will vary according to the action being bushed, all are not equal and different types can permit/require totally different approaches.
Regards, Joe

LD,
If I can find it, I have a printed article that Jim Borden wrote on this. Done right and using the proper size can eliminate primer blanking even at very high pressures.
Butch

Gre-Tan has done more than most and have an excellent reputation.

http://www.gretanrifles.com/bushfiringpin.asp

Butch, gzig5,

Thank you for helping with my education.
My impression on seeing ISS's bolt face was, "This sucker is NOT going to blank short of 175,000 kpsi (slight exaggeration)".

If you do not find the article Butch, I will sent a note to Mr. Borden.

I am printing out the article by Mr. Tannel in just a moment.

The learning never ends!

LD