help with pre 64 model 94

[spaceman spiff]

Greetings,

I just got a 1950 .30-30 model 94. When I fire it the primer backs out just enough to feel that it has. A few thousandths perhaps, not sure. This has happened with Winchester 170gr factory loads and some that I rolled up myself. Any guidance in this would be much appreciated.

Regards,

Troy

[20cows]

Are you using factory ammo?

[Buffboy]

This is caused by a little "extra" headspace with those particular cases. It's not uncommon in older rifles or even new ones shooting rimmed cartridges, simply by the the way rimmed cartridges headspace. If as you describe, I wouldn't call it excessive as simply switching brands of cases may make it go away completely. I have observed as much as 3 thousandths rim difference in different brands of 30-30 cases. There has to be some play there for difference in ammo. If you are concerned, get a set of headspace gauges or have it checked.

This type of thing can also happen with low power ammo in a properly headspaced rifle as well, though I doubt that's the cause in your instance.

[20cows]

Are you using factory ammo?

I gotta start payin' more attention.

[Chuck 100 yd]

My new Marlin .308 MX does that with factory ammo but not with my reloads as I set my resizer die so it dont set the sholder back and headspace off of the sholder.
I have owned several older leavers that have done the same thing. Do you own a caliper so you can measure just how much the primer backs out? 3-4 thou feels like a lot when you run your finger over the primer. Usually it is nothing to worry about.

[spaceman spiff]

it's in the neighborhood of 10 thou

Regards,

Troy

[Malamute]

This has come up several times in the past. In general, it doesnt actually cause a problem. Most 94's I've had do this. If you have access to it, read P O Ackleys artical about headspace in Winchester 94's. After reading that, I quit worrying about it.