Primer issue 94AE

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Last Post 26 December 2022

CBA Regional Director

MarkinEllensburg posted this 08 December 2022

In January Spokane Rifle Club is having a fun match. Lever actions. It is unlikely that there will be 4 classified shooters as most will likely be using iron sighted rifles. In getting ready for that I am trying to work up a load for my Winchester 94 AE in .30/30 Win. Using CCI 34 primers had a number of fail to fire in 20 rounds. Lots of recock and try again and then all finally fired. Wondering if this is an issue with the rifle or the primer. Only once before have I had fail to fire issues but that was with old ammo, also in cold weather. This time I am thinking that maybe the Model 94 is somewhat lacking in firing pin power, but also the harder cup of the CCI 34 primer might also be a factor.

My next step will likely be to switch to Federal mag lr primers since I have plenty. Working on the low end of the load spectrum. 18 gr. IMR 4198 and a Lyman 311041.

Am welcome to imput.

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RicinYakima posted this 09 December 2022

You are correct in both issues. First the firing mechanism on lever action '94 is not very strong, nothing like a bolt action coil spring. Second the "full auto" hard primers are much harder than regular LR magnum primers. I had the same problem when I tried to shoot the small CCI's no. 41 in my 92 Winchester in 32/20. Changed to Federal 200's and no more issues. Ric

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Little Debbie posted this 09 December 2022

Mark,

The CCI military spec primes are relatively hard, but it’s likely that the cold whether is making whatever lube you have in your bolt congeal and retard the firing pin blow. Disassembling your bolt and removing all lube would probably solve the problem. AR 15 and AR 10 rifles deliver a relatively soft blow compared to a bolt action, yet when properly maintained detonate these primers reliably. Switching to federal primers will probably solve the problem too. In my experience Federal primers generally have the softest cups.

Making sure your mainspring strain screw is tight and the lever is fully closed to fully depress the disconnector will help too.

Looking foward to seeing you in January

Matt

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MarkinEllensburg posted this 09 December 2022

Thanks Ric and Matt!

@Wilderness thanks for your reply as well. I hadn't even considered the effect inconsistent ignition could be having on my groups. They were not exactly stellar for sure but "small" enough to fit within the scoring rings on a CBA target. I didn't bother to set up my chronograph, think tomorrow with my trip to the range I will.

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Larry Gibson posted this 09 December 2022

If your M94AE has the rebounding hammer, that is probably half the problem. I did away with the rebound feature on my M94AE Black Shadow and also put a small washer on the mainspring guide to make the spring compressed a bit more to drive the hammer harder. Since those mods I have not had a FTF with the rifle.

LMG

Concealment is not cover.........

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Sevenfan posted this 12 December 2022

Nothing to add that hasn't already been said except to say I'll be there with my 94AE shooting RCBS 30-150s over 18gr I4198 with CCI200s. I sure hope the temps will be better than forecast through early next week! Brr!

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Eutectic posted this 14 December 2022

The firing pin in the 94 is in sections. These must line up for the blow to be transferred. The lever must be completely closed for this to happen. Any closing resistance may prevent perfect lineup resulting in a light hit or a FTF. This slight resistance in cambering can be caused by cast bullet diameter or ogive interference.

Your rounds should drop into the chamber by their own weight clear up to the rim.

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MarkinEllensburg posted this 20 December 2022

Update of sorts. Two trips to the range using Federal 215 primers and no fail to fire. Last trip was Sunday in blizzard like conditions, well almost. Dry snow blowing off the roof of the covered firing line making my chronograph not work.

4198 18.5 grain showed promise. Next tried 19.0 gr and much better, more consistent groups. In spite of windy conditions. The January match is coming up fast and I will likely run out of time to do much more experimentation. Something about a lever action that is just so fun to shoot with cast loads.