Sa-08 bolt not closing

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rancidjo

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I purchased a used Weatherby Sa-08 12ga. With unknown round count. The problem with it is it gets so dirty after about 50 rounds that the bolt will not fully close either while firing 2 consecutive rounds or trying to put the first round in the chamber with the bolt release. This is because the mag tube gets so dirty that the piston will not go all the way forward. I have tried different types and loads of ammo, heavy oiled the mag tube, light oiled mag tube, run it dry, and tried used rem-dry lube. No difference. What should I be checking to try and reduce the dirty mag tube. It is becoming very frustrating for him as this is his first year trying trap.
 
What are you using for lube some burn to the mag tube and get sticky . also have you cleaned the piston really well .when the gun is clean does the action slam closed .perhaps the action spring in the stock needs cleaning or replacing .
 
I have cleaned the piston very well with hoppes #9 and a brush. I have used both hoppes gun oil with heavy, light and medium application. Also tried no lube, after it was cleaned with #9 and oil. Also tried rem-Dri silicon based lube both sprayed on and also wiped off. Not difference in any of these applications. When the gun is cleaned it slams closes very well. Took recoil aping out, and cleaned and lightly lubed it. No difference.
 
rembolt said:
What are you using for lube some burn to the mag tube and get sticky . also have you cleaned the piston really well .when the gun is clean does the action slam closed .perhaps the action spring in the stock needs cleaning or replacing .
Click to expand...


Thanks. I will maybe pick up some other lubes to try, and order another recoil spring. As I do not want him to get discouraged this early in the sport
 
Confirm it is the piston holding things up. Remove it and let us know if the action closes properly even when dirty. Or maybe there's something gumming up the locking lug in the barrel extension.

Try a new synthetic CLP-type product, such as BreakFree CLP, on the magazine tube and piston/cylinder. It doesn't cook off or bake into hard carbon like traditional oils and handles the heat very well. It allows the burned powder to be carried away rather than bake onto metal.

I ran 50 shots each through two different gas semis just recently, using CLP. The magazine tubes are still 'wet' with lube. Very slick stuff. Clean up is a single wipe with a cloth, no solvent, no steel wool, no brushing, nada.
 
Totally disassembled shotgun. Thorough cleaning. Ran piston totally dry. Slow to close within 25 rounds. Will not close within 40 rounds. Removed piston. Reassembled, and it slams closed with no problems. Put piston back in and it will not close with bolt release alone. Not sure if I should start with a new recoil spring, or new piston and/or mag tube. Have also thought of putting it aside and buying another gun for him to finish the season with.
 
a piston should never be oiled

always cleaned with soap and water and installed DRY

if the piston is lubed it will collect any and all carbon it can causing fouling extra fast
 


This is after 50 rounds with no lube, but piston still will not slide nicely. Carbon seems a little wet. Wonder if there is some leftover hoppes #9 in the piston. Will try soap and water tomorrow and report back.
 
What shells you shooting . It looks to be really dirty for only 50 shells . Also have you tried the gun with the heavy piston installed .
 
Score brand shells. I have also tried federal and Winchester with very similar results. I have used the heavy piston but for not more then a few rounds at a time, and only with heavier loads.
 
Make a special trip to get the BreakFree CLP rather than buy a new gun. Spray it on the piston and magazine tube and DON'T wipe it off. Shoot it wet. It will clean and remove carbon buildup while you are shooting. It will not cook off and bake hard like regular oils. Cleaning the magazine tube becomes a single wipe with a cloth - that's it.

Dirty & wet:

DSC00441_zpse60dfa66.jpg


After wiping with a rag:

DSC00442_zps73298090.jpg
 
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Grouse Mans tips sounds promising .
I might try and spray some Automotive Brake cleaner on the piston and the mag. tube as well and wipe down the mag tube.
Spray the piston tube a couple of times and dont be shy using the brake cleaner either.
Have you replaced the rubber O ring by chance?
A Wold spring might be in your future as well.
Rob
 
Brake cleaner works great on grease & oil, not so well on baked carbon & powder residue. Carburetor cleaner works much, much better.

No rubber O-rings in the SA-08 design, IIRC.
 
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