Stiffer firing pin spring, pros & cons

bcsteve

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I've been having issues with my custom Ruger 77 MarkII in .35 Whelen misfiring. Rembo assured me(and I believe him) that my chamber is at minimum specs so the rifle's headspace and Rembo's work is not the issue. I've researched this on different forums and it seems that Ruger+.35 Whelen+Rem brass often equals misfire. I'm going to start neck sizing only my brass and hopefully that will solved the problem but I also want to replace the firing pin spring to eliminate that variable.

I was looking on Brownells site and they have Wolff Blitzschnell firing pin spring in 24Lbs and 28Lbs for thr Rugers, Ruger factory is 21Lbs. Which one should I go with? Any disadvange with going with the stiffer one? Thanks
 
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I replaced the firing pin spring in a Interarms Mk10 with one from Wolff. I believe it was a 24 lb version. The stock spring was 19 lb.

The only difference(besides eliminating the mis-fires) was slightly harder cocking when lifting the bolt handle.
 
a stiffer spring may also increase your trigger pull a bit....if I had that rifle in my hands I would measure the firing pin protrusion...and maybe face off the shoulder on the pin a bit if needed..
 
Rembo said:
a stiffer spring may also increase your trigger pull a bit....if I had that rifle in my hands I would measure the firing pin protrusion...and maybe face off the shoulder on the pin a bit if needed..

What's acceptable and what isn't for protrusion?? I don't want to start piercing primers either.
 
firing pin protrusion should be 50-60 thou.

does once fired brass also have misfires ?
 
I've had misfire with factory ammo, reloads with new brass and once fired brass (full lenght sized). I haven't tried the neck sized only brass yet.
 
A guy on another forum also suggested a lighter firing pin instead of a heavier spring. His theory is that the lighter, faster firing pin would have a "sharper" blow on the primer for a more reliable ignition. It kinda make sense, like a quick jab instead of a heavy punch.
 
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Must be a Ruger issue, since several around here have 700 Remingtons Chambered in 35 Whelen, and nary a problem. Hope you can resolve this one. Let us know when you find something that works. Regards, Eagleye.
 
Will do. Right now I'm debating with going with a stronger spring or with the Tubb Speedlock system which is a lighter firing pin and a factory weight replacement spring.

The stronger spring is cheap. The Tubb Speedlock is interesting because it would also replace the firing pin (if the issue is with the pin), the lighter pin increase the velocity of the impact and the factory weight spring would avoid the increase in bolt lift and possibly trigger weight.
 
Not sure a lighter pin would be of benefit - the energy released by the spring is unaffected by firing pin weight. Changing the spring increases the stored energy in proportion to the spring rate ie 24/21 = 15% more, etc.
Stretching the existing spring a bit would do the same, and allow you to test your theory without making a purchase...
 
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