Does a stronger spring (pushing firepin) improve accuracy? Why?

[simko]

Hi everyone,

although im talking about an old mauser rifle, i figure this is about accuracy, so mit would work here.

Im talking about a husqvarna 646 hunting rifle, which is a #### on closing design.

Ive read that a stronger spring would improve accuracy, is this true? if so, why?

 

[Shooter ----/]

The lock time would be shorter. Not sure if a stronger spring wouldn't also cause other problems though. Unless specifically designed for said rifle.

 

[Jamie]

as above locktime will be less will you see any change? depends on what level of shooter you are

 

[Lodi]

Locktime as stated above. But I would put it low on the list of things to do to increase accuracy.

 

[simko]

So the hassle of increased force to close the bolt most likely outweighs the benefits?

 

[Boomer]

So the hassle of increased force to close the bolt most likely outweighs the benefits?

Or the bolt lift becomes more difficult if its a #### on opening design. If you are really concerned about reducing lock time, a lighter firing pin is probably a better option than a stronger spring.

 

[NormB]

If the spring has weakened over time, this could lead to unreliable ignition. Even if the primer ignites every time, it could be with different effect. BR shooters keep their springs at peak power by changing regularly. Accuracy results may only show up at BR levels, but it has been noticed.

NormB

 

[Lodi]

Locktime is amount of time it takes the firing pin to hit the primer after the trigger is pulled. A shorter locktime reduces the amount of time that the shooter has to wiggle the crosshairs off target.

The average shooter with average ammo with an average scope and an average rifle won't benefit from faster locktime.

A competition grade rifle with a target quality scope and using match grade ammunition with a highly skilled shooter may notice the benefits of a faster locktime.

Competitive shooters will usually install a lightweight firing pin with a new mainspring when they want to decrease locktime, not just a spring alone.

~~~~

Mainsprings are relatively inexpensive, and relatively easy to swap out. There is not much reason to not swap one out. Though it does make ####-on-closing a bit tougher.

 

[cycbb486]

It is not just lock time there is also the component of CONSISTENT ignition. This is something that we in the BR world struggle with versus lock time. If the spring is not stiff enough (in the 23-25lb range) it is something that is changed and springs are changed yearly by the top shooters. The firing pin also needs to be heavy enough.

An example is my BAT actioned rifles. Spring tension was at 18 lbs. It was beefed up and weight added to the firing pin to eliminate possible ignition issues. This decision was made after discussing with top builders in the US.

 

[coyote]

BR guns are designed with very weak springs it is supposed to improve accuracy by not being able to twitch the gun when you pull the trigger.

My Br gun a wichita action shoots nice little groups but I get a lot of missfires if I use cci br4 primers I know that cause I was told by some experienced BR shooters so I use fed 205 primers with no issues.

I think lock time would improve accuracy in a mauser if you could make it quicker and I think there is a kit that can be bought to do that for mausers .
But before you start playing with lock time a good bedding job will certainly help more than locktime if it is not done and making sure you have a good barrel and crown and consistent reloads.

 

[Boomer]

Locktime is amount of time it takes the firing pin to hit the primer after the trigger is pulled. A shorter locktime reduces the amount of time that the shooter has to wiggle the crosshairs off target.

The average shooter with average ammo with an average scope and an average rifle won't benefit from faster locktime.

A competition grade rifle with a target quality scope and using match grade ammunition with a highly skilled shooter may notice the benefits of a faster locktime.

Competitive shooters will usually install a lightweight firing pin with a new mainspring when they want to decrease locktime, not just a spring alone.

~~~~

Mainsprings are relatively inexpensive, and relatively easy to swap out. There is not much reason to not swap one out. Though it does make ####-on-closing a bit tougher.

This thread brings to mind a M-17 Enfield I had at one time. Though bubba'ed into a sporter, this thing was surprisingly accurate, despite having a very long lock time. I did some of my best practical field shooting ever with that rifle; yet you could pull the trigger, go for coffee, and come back in time to settle in behind the butt before it would fire. It certainly made you concentrate on your follow through.

Does lock time matter to a good marksman? I'll jump in and say no, its just another gimmick to sell rifles, which I saw the first time with the Kiienguenther K-15 many years ago. It was pretty funny hearing guys that said they could tell the difference of a couple of milliseconds in lock time between a M-70 or a M-700 and a K-15. Not being a company to miss a marketing advantage, even Remington's old 788 rode the lock time wave for a few years.