I recently had my original M1895 Winchester saddle ring carbine in 30-06 rebored/rechambered to 35 Whelen (prior owner had ruined barrel , apparently shooting corrosive stuff). Anyway, I've been working up loads , which I intended to be on the light side in deference to the age of the rifle and my shoulder. I shot a load with 49.0 grains of AA4064 and a 200 grain Sierra RN. The first shot was normal, hitting the target at point of aim. The second shot seemed to be a misfire. When I lowered the lever, most of the charge of UNBURNED powder blew out of the action. The bullet was stuck in the lead of the rifling and was easily bumped out with a rod. I'm a 30 year reloader, with probably 50,000 rounds under my belt; first time for this result. Cases were R-P once fired, CCI LR primers. I weigh each charge on a RCBS electronic scale. Clearly there was powder in the case, as a great deal blew out when the action was opened. I realize 49.0 is about 4 grain under the listed starting load; however, I have an old Hornady manual which lists 49.3 grains of IMR 4064 as a starting load. I might have expected this with a light load of a slower burning powder...but 4064? Any thoughts?
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Squib Load in My M1895 Winchester 35 Whelen
- Thread starter Maplefytr
- Start date
I'd suspect a contaminated primer that didn't ignite properly.Any thoughts?
I highly dount temperature had anything to do with it
I saw a show on PBS about "Canadian Junior Rangers" and they were out on the Arctic ice learning to shoot with no misfires, and what appeared to be old surplus military rifles and ammo in the 30-06 size range
Either a bad primer(although I've NEVER had a bad CCI primer) or a flash hole problem.
FWIW IMR 4895 is the only rifle powder I feel safe going more than 5% under starting load. This on the advice of the Sierra ballistics dept.
Any chance the bullet was stuck in the throat during loading(due to excessive OAL) and the shot was a total mis-fire? Did you hear the primer pop or just a click?
FWIW IMR 4895 is the only rifle powder I feel safe going more than 5% under starting load. This on the advice of the Sierra ballistics dept.
Any chance the bullet was stuck in the throat during loading(due to excessive OAL) and the shot was a total mis-fire? Did you hear the primer pop or just a click?
95 fan
I can't help with problem of bad load. There is to many variables to consider. With out
being there it wold be guessing. I have had bad CCI primers in Large Rifle and Small
Pistol Magnum sizes. All mine were failure to fire at all.
I have a 30/06 95 with terrible bore, got good deal on it years ago, bought for parts.
Where did you have yours re bored . Any info on this would be appreciated. I've had
this on my mind for awhile. I was fooling with 95s before they were cool. I wish I had
picked up all the 7.62x54s that I let go buy cheap.
I can't help with problem of bad load. There is to many variables to consider. With out
being there it wold be guessing. I have had bad CCI primers in Large Rifle and Small
Pistol Magnum sizes. All mine were failure to fire at all.
I have a 30/06 95 with terrible bore, got good deal on it years ago, bought for parts.
Where did you have yours re bored . Any info on this would be appreciated. I've had
this on my mind for awhile. I was fooling with 95s before they were cool. I wish I had
picked up all the 7.62x54s that I let go buy cheap.
I hate to state the obvious but since unburned powder came out you have found the immediate problem (i.e. not enough burn). Now, you've got to ask yourself why. Possible scenarios:
1. Weak primer - just not enough spark to ignite the charge
2. Damaged primer socket - primer went off but flame wasn't in the right place to ignite the charge.
3. Bad powder - primer did its job but something in the powder itself prevented it from igniting.
1. Weak primer - just not enough spark to ignite the charge
2. Damaged primer socket - primer went off but flame wasn't in the right place to ignite the charge.
3. Bad powder - primer did its job but something in the powder itself prevented it from igniting.
g.willikers
New member
Do you wash cases after tumbling or instead of?
If so, it could be damp powder from moisture in the case that wasn't thoroughly dried before loading the components.
Mebbe.
If so, it could be damp powder from moisture in the case that wasn't thoroughly dried before loading the components.
Mebbe.
Squib Loads in My 1895 Winchester 35 Whelen
Thanks guys for all the ideas. I probably need to regroup, recheck all my components, and stick to published loads from reputable sources.
For Drm50: I used JES Reboring (http://www.35caliber.com/; 541-942-1342) in Cottage Grove OR. I had mine rebored with 4 groove rifling for $250; however, I believe he will do three groove for $225. His price included return shipping. He did a nice job: rebore, rechamber the neck, and clean-up of barrel crown. This turned a wall hanger into a shooter. I had the rifle back in under two weeks, including shipping time. I also checked Classic Barrel Works in Prescott, AZ; they wanted $345 for the same work, plus I had to pay for return shipping, and the turn-around was an estimated four months. Anyway, JES did good work for me at a very reasonable price.
Thanks guys for all the ideas. I probably need to regroup, recheck all my components, and stick to published loads from reputable sources.
For Drm50: I used JES Reboring (http://www.35caliber.com/; 541-942-1342) in Cottage Grove OR. I had mine rebored with 4 groove rifling for $250; however, I believe he will do three groove for $225. His price included return shipping. He did a nice job: rebore, rechamber the neck, and clean-up of barrel crown. This turned a wall hanger into a shooter. I had the rifle back in under two weeks, including shipping time. I also checked Classic Barrel Works in Prescott, AZ; they wanted $345 for the same work, plus I had to pay for return shipping, and the turn-around was an estimated four months. Anyway, JES did good work for me at a very reasonable price.
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Do you have access to H4895? Hodgdon has a library full of reduced power loads for many centerfire cartridges, using this powder. I think they also make a big deal about it being the slowest-burning rifle powder that works well with reduced loads. If memory serves, the 4064s are slower. This may not be ALL of the problem, but it could be SOME of it.
Do you have access to cast projectiles? You might find some very usable loads that are made with Red Dot, Unique, or 2400. They may not give you the very last micro-joule of kinetic energy available from the .35 Whelen, but they'd likely "duly impress" whatever you choose to shoot with them. I would expect them to be a tad more economical, also.
Do you have access to cast projectiles? You might find some very usable loads that are made with Red Dot, Unique, or 2400. They may not give you the very last micro-joule of kinetic energy available from the .35 Whelen, but they'd likely "duly impress" whatever you choose to shoot with them. I would expect them to be a tad more economical, also.