I just got a MRC 1999 barreled action (LH)in .308 Win. I've fired about 60 rounds so far and 4 of these have failed to fire. Three of the misfires were with new factory (Winchester) ammo, and one was from a box of U.S. military ammo. None of my handloads have misfired.
The "misfire" primers show a very light fireing pin strike and always fire on the second try. I have not disassembled any part of the barreled action since I got it a week ago. The only thing I've done is back off the "weight of pull" nuts on the trigger. When I received the barreled action the trigger pull must have been at least 20 lbs. and was set at maximum weight.
All non-factory (handloads) are new Winchester brass, WLR primers, N-150 powder, and 165g Hornady SP's.
I was going to take this rifle deer hunting this month but now have no confidence in it. It sure is a pretty rifle and is shooting 1" groups when it goes off. Any ideas what might be causing the misfires?
Thanks...
Jon

just a guess.....That happened to me once...come to find out I didn't have enough clearance between the bolt handle and the stock and occasionally the bolt wasn't totally closed and the striker had to ride down the groove and hit lightly.

something to look for.

I got one of the charter offers when the action was being developed. While I had no misfires I did have very erratic ignition with wide spreads in velocity. I replaced the firing pin spring and that took care of the problem. Maybe they got some mushy springs initially and you got one of them as I believe I did. You might also check your firing pin protrusion. Mine was dead on but it's worth a check.

Vapodog, thanks for the idea.
I bought the stock from the company that supplies them to CZ for the CZ3 American. It's inletted specifically for the MRC action and #2 contour barrel. But, after taking a close look in the bolt handle area there is very little clearance at the back of the "notch" for the bolt handle. I'll open that area up a little and make sure the bolt handle is completely down before pulling the trigger.

Jon

Thanks for the info Bob. Do you happen to remember what the correct fireing pin protrusion is?
Jon

Between .056" and .065". Mine was .059" as best I recall.

Well, if I'm measureing correctly, that may be my problem.
I released/rotated the bolt shroud until the pin protrouded. After about 10 measurements with the "depth gauge" portion of a high quality dial caliper I get between 0.53" and 0.54" fireing pin protrusion. It might also explain why my handloads (necksized, and which fill the chamber) do not mis-fire.
I'm going to shoot 30 rounds (handloads) tomorrow and see what happens. If there are no mis-fires I'll probably take it hunting (with handloads!) and contact MRC when I return.
Thanks again for your help.

Jon

Jon, when you said you "just got" your barreled action, I take it that means the action is of (very) recent manufacture??

When you contact MRC, get in touch with Jeff (see this page). That will give you a personal contact, and Jeff is a first rate guy! He'll get you squared away if anybody will.
- mike

I ordered the barreled action about 3 weeks ago and received it last Tuesday. It was listed on the MRC website as a "special" (gone now) for $499. I don't know when it was manufactured. The serial # is: B04-0511 if that tells you anything about the mfg. date. I've talked to Jeff and he was very helpful about getting the blueing done quickly so I would have the rifle in time for a deer hunt this month.

Jon

Jon,
Please call me, I would like to get that back in right away and fix it for you before you go off hunting. It only takes one misfire to ruin your entire hunting trip and I don't want that to happen. What date are you leaving for hunting?

Jeff
406-755-4867

quote:

Originally posted by MontanaJeff:
Jon,
Please call me, I would like to get that back in right away and fix it for you before you go off hunting. It only takes one misfire to ruin your entire hunting trip and I don't want that to happen. What date are you leaving for hunting?

Jeff
406-755-4867

NOW, THAT'S CUSTOMER SERVICE

all you other gun companies.....are you watching?????

Spoke to Jeff. Looks like I may have gotten a 23 lb fireing pin spring instead of the current 25 lb. A replacement is on the way.
In spite of this problem this is about the nicest rifle I've ever owned. Just fired 30 (trouble free) handloads at 200 yds and no 5 shot group was over 2.5". And, the first shot out of a clean, cold barrel groups right in with the rest of them.
I know where I'll be buying my next rifle!
Thanks to all for your comments...

Jon

Since necksized brass fires everytime but factory doesn't it indicates that you may have a headspace problem.. If you don't have a go gauge ask the fellas at Montana to be sure and check this for you..

Pat

Jon, Ya might want to knock the last three or four digits off the Serial # in your post above or dump it totally. I`m shy about posting numbers on the net and the info isn`t needed to the last digit in this case anyway.

Pat B./Ol Joe
I think the chamber/headspace is fine. I did'nt mention before that the primers are also a little "cratered" after fireing. I had the same thing happen with an old Martini Cadet I re-chambered to .256 Win. After checking headspace, reducing the fireing pin dia. by bushing the breech block, etc. the problem turned out to be a weak striker spring. I think the same thing is happening here and I'll bet a heavier spring takes care of the problem.
As for the serial #, I guess I should be a little more "paranoid" but when you buy a gun here in California, from the manufacturer, it all becomes "public record" anyway.