A lever action mystery

B

Bill Daniel

New member
I have a new Henry H010 45-70. It cycles live action smoothly and with out problem. It will not however cycle snap caps (A Zoom) or Dummy proving rounds from the magazine except one at a time. The mystery is that the rounds measure out according to specs. The Dummy rounds are even of the same Star Line brass as the live rounds. The Dummy rounds and the A Zoom snap caps will let both the first and second round in the magazine pass when the lever is opened so they jam and the action can not be closed. The live rounds cycle smoothly with no jamming. I have compared the sizes of the rounds with a caliper and can not find a difference. I am happy that the live rounds function well but would like to work the action for practice with inert rounds.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Bill Daniel
 
Just a guess, but you didn't say they weighed the same. Dummy snap cap cartridges are usually way lighter than a live cartridge. Try loading a few cases with actual bullets and sand for powder. Use an eraser for a primer. Even a spent primer will work as a snap cap for a few times. It may not work, but it is worth a try.
 
I agree with math teacher. It has to be the weight. It is the only difference. Load with sand or some other inert media. Use the same charge weight as you would for powder in a live load. The density of the filler should be as close to the same as the powder for best results.

You can also use silcone caulk for a snap cap primer. It is flexible and durable. We have several made that way for Hunter education field day. They seem to last a very long time.
 
Thanks fellows! I thought of that and dismissed it because the 45-70 will handle bullets from less than 300 to more than 500 grains. It might be that it is the distribution of weight in the cartridge that matters so that adding a false powder charge will do the trick. I will give it a try and let you know.
Thanks,
Bill Daniel
 
An eraser in the primer pocket does nothing to soften the blow of the hammer onto the frame.

I doubt the hammer will hurt anything smacking the frame. A call to the factory will alleviate all concerns.

If such dry firing does hurt the rifle, it's made with too soft of metal in the frame anyway.
 
Well the mystery continues:confused: I loaded two of the dummy rounds with 55 grains of number 8 shot and they still would not cycle. I followed this with 4 rounds of live cartridges of the same Star Line brass and they functioned flawlessly:confused:
When I called Henry initially the said that snap caps were notoriously unreliable for proving actions. I suppose this could be a cover up... that they have secretly developed a safety mechanism to prevent some numb skull like me from trying to cycle a snap cap when that Boone and Crockett buck comes into view:rolleyes:
I will call Henry again but I cannot criticise them for making a rifle that functions flawlessly with the ammunition intended for it but not with inert rounds.
Unless some one has any other ideas I will file this under the Bermuda Triangle and crop circles.
Thanks,
Bill Daniel
 
Thanks to all. You are right jmr40 I don't have a problem. Well maybe I do but its not with the rifle:) More of a question I can not figure out the answer to. In any event it is not worth boogering with the rifle. It has wood, my first wood rifle, a dark nicely figured walnut and the XS peep sight makes for fast target acquisition. I put a Montana sling on it and am anxious to take it to the range.
Again thanks.
Bill Daniel
 
For what it is worth I use to build my dummies reloading a spent case with just the ball (without removing the primer). I also have the dummy to go through the "factory crimp" die. This is to guarantee the sizes are correct.
They work the same as the live rounds in my Winchester '92 (actually the Chiappa replica).
I had some chambering issue with plastic balls I use for indoor training (load is the primer only). The plastic ball just stick into the action where the lead would slip.
Regards
JLW
 
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