Possible light primer strikes on Savage MK2 in cold weather.

[tpb]

Last year I assembled a biathlon rifle using a Savage Mk2 FVT as a base. My wife enjoys winter biathlon but didn't want to shell out the gobs of money for an anschutz.

She reported ~80% failure to fire on her first outing. This is with Eley, SK, etc ammunition. The same ammo in the same firearm at an indoor (heated) range had no problems at all.

I pulled the bolt apart, thinking that maybe the -20c temperature was turning the factory grease on the bolt into a gelatinous mess. Factory goo was removed and the lightest oil I could find was applied. It got better, but it's still not great. FTFire was last sitting at ~30%.

As Winter approaches, I'm looking for options.

A friend suggested removing all oil entirely - which I'm hesitant to do because the bolt is not entirely stainless steel. From what I've seen biathletes don't pull actions apart to lubricate them the way that I would and I don't want this to become a rusted mess.

Are stainless steel bolts available?

Is there a low temperature oil that I should try?

Are there any known issues or common problems with light primer strikes on the MK2?

I'd take it back to the store and ask, but it was bought from Wholesale about a week before they announced they were going under.

 

[kamlooky]

G96?

 

[Markit]

Used graphite in the military in extreme cold conditions.

 

[Ganderite]

Rinse with break cleaner. Try some G96.

Try some different bands of ammo. If the bullet is engaging the rifling, the case rim is not sitting hard on the chamber lip. If shorts fire 100%, that is the problem.

 

[allan harris]

I can't imagine shooting in temps such as you describe - Are the rounds in loaded mags stored on the stock of the rifle?

Some years ago, I had a couple of Mark II's re=barrelled with stainless blanks - Both were done with true match chambers and 042 head space to suit SK/Lapua ammo. Both these were originally G models and the OEM chamber & HS dimensions could be politely described as "generous"!

I would strip and polish that bolt initially. Check the cocking stud for wear. I have seen these reduced to half their size in less than 2,000 rounds which will cause erratic ignition. The Mark ii uses a striker to hit a very light sheet metal FP. Any burrs or interference anywhere will cause ignition problems.

Mark ii FP's are very cheap and I bought several and experimented with moving the hit inside the case rim with good results. Can't find any pics of the final outcome but these below will give you an idea of progress along the way. I have never had a FTF in either of these rifles with Lapua and they will shoot the thinner rimmed Eley ammo fine too.

Savage Gunsmithing in the US offer a heavier FP spring which may help with your problem. I have installed them but also used factory springs successfully.

http://www.savagegunsmithing.com/rimfire_rifles.html

Re the internal lube - At those temps, you want to use the lightest stuff you can find and use it very sparingly!

 

[Neilm]

Try Lapua Polar Biathalon. Its designed for shooting in sub zero temperatures.

 

[buji88]

I suggest using a fully synthetic oil I use G96 Synthetic gun oil. That's the idea behind most synthetic oils is they do not thicken in the cold, but I would imagine that is your issue. However, Neilm is correct as well in the cold rimfire priming compound can become erratic, and there are specific types of ammo for cold weather shooting condition.

EDIT: link to the G96 oil I use
http://www.g96.com/products/synthetic-clp-gun-oil/#

 

[Canadiankeeper]

g96 or ballistol

polar biath ammo would be helpful also.

 

[HibouAttentif]

I use a Savage MKII on a regular basis in -20 weather. Shooting CCI Standard velocity never causes problems, but I get an extra inch of drop at 100 yards. I suspect your firing pin is catching on something and I would remove it and check both the pin and the channel for a burr. Using very light synthetic oil should help as well, as others have said.

Denis

 

[myt30]

I have a MKII in 17hmr with a similar issue. It has approx a 5% ftf rate in the summer, but it increases as the weather gets colder. All light primer strikes, if I re-insert the round it will fire 99% of the time.
Tried wiping the oil out, completely disassembling the bolt, polishing, and re-assembling with light oil(Which BTW made the action 200% smother). I'm down to replacing firing pin or spring. Or maybe stretching the spring? I'm not sure yet.