Took my Jungle Carbine out the other day, ran through 20 rounds of Sellier & Bellot 180 grain FMJ. Didn't notice until I got home that it had pierced several of the primers. From my very limited experience (I don't reload), I couldn't find any other signs of overpressure.
Inspected my firing pin and sure enough I can see a couple tiny marks and dimples where the flame eroded it away.
I don't remember if they were there or not before shooting (probably not I would think), but I never bothered to look that hard. At first I thought I had a headspace problem, but then I got to thinking that it was most likely either a firing pin issue (too much protrusion, or a tip worn like with the marks I encountered), or the S&B ammo had crappy primers that were too weak/thin?
What do you guys think could have caused this? This was my first time shooting my Jungle Carbine, which is my first Lee Enfield. My Longbranch that I also shot didn't have any pierced primers whatsoever.
And how do I go about making the tip of my firing pin round again? Really really fine grit sandpaper? I want to try smoothing the firing pin and then taking it out and firing it with a different brand of ammo to see if it happens again.
I tried to take pictures (of the pin, and the primers) but my camera is a piece of junk and I couldn't get it to focus.
I found it weird that I never noticed that I had pierced primers while shooting. I don't recall noticing an increase in felt recoil on the rounds that pierced, or any difference in noise. There was no gas vented into my face (I would have definitely noticed that I think ). The bolt didn't stick upon opening, it still cycled like butter like a Lee Enfield should. The bolt face looks clean, with no cuts or nicks in the metal that might have been caused by escaping gas.
Anyone else ever have this happen? Should I be concerned about firing the rifle again? Help out an Enfield noob!
Inspected my firing pin and sure enough I can see a couple tiny marks and dimples where the flame eroded it away.
I don't remember if they were there or not before shooting (probably not I would think), but I never bothered to look that hard. At first I thought I had a headspace problem, but then I got to thinking that it was most likely either a firing pin issue (too much protrusion, or a tip worn like with the marks I encountered), or the S&B ammo had crappy primers that were too weak/thin? What do you guys think could have caused this? This was my first time shooting my Jungle Carbine, which is my first Lee Enfield. My Longbranch that I also shot didn't have any pierced primers whatsoever.
And how do I go about making the tip of my firing pin round again? Really really fine grit sandpaper? I want to try smoothing the firing pin and then taking it out and firing it with a different brand of ammo to see if it happens again.
I tried to take pictures (of the pin, and the primers) but my camera is a piece of junk and I couldn't get it to focus.
I found it weird that I never noticed that I had pierced primers while shooting. I don't recall noticing an increase in felt recoil on the rounds that pierced, or any difference in noise. There was no gas vented into my face (I would have definitely noticed that I think
). The bolt didn't stick upon opening, it still cycled like butter like a Lee Enfield should. The bolt face looks clean, with no cuts or nicks in the metal that might have been caused by escaping gas.Anyone else ever have this happen? Should I be concerned about firing the rifle again? Help out an Enfield noob!
