Question Regarding Primer Blanking….

[Texas10]

Thanks, sharpshooter. I was hoping someone had knowledge of the drawing and would be willing to share that. This says a lot about the probability of getting a good shooting Savage, vs one that is problematic like this new 12 FV was.

Based on your numbers, there are 16 possible combinations when it comes to tolerance stack and fit of pin to head. And if pins are not hand fit to the bolt for clearance at the factory during assembly of the bolt, and randomness applies, then fully half in each group of 16 rifles will probably have problems with primer blanking because of excessive pin to bolt head clearance.

One out of 16 will have .001 clearance, and one will have .007. But 8 will have .0035 or more clearance, the amount that this rifle begins to experience partial blanking (cratering) when at or near max pressures.

Might explain why their warranty repair shop is apparently so busy.

[sharpshooter]

Cratering is not always caused by excessive clearance around the pin. Most of the time it can be cured by re-profiling the pin tip.