TRIED to shoot my Henry today

93_marlin · May 28, 2009, 05:27:42 PM

I hope someone has the answer. I took my new-to-me Henry out back between rain showers today. The only ammunition available right now was Mag Tech factory Cowboy. The stuff shot OK, but wouldn't eject worth a hoot, I had to pull out my knife and manually flick out the brass.
Is this a brass issue or rifle issue?? I'm hoping it's the brass, I have Starline on the way.

Coffinmaker · May 28, 2009, 06:18:23 PM

There can be several causes. Normally, the brass isn't it. First thing to check is the extractor. Check to see if it still has a "hook" on the end of it (not worn down) and is it tight. A tiny bit of up and down wiggle on the extractor is OK, a lot is not. Also check for crud buildup in the hook slot.
Look at the bottom of the Breach Block (bolt). There should be a little tab (cartridge guide) sticking out at the bottom center of the breach block. It NEEDS to be there. If it isn't you have a problem.
Those are the biggies. Fixable, but can get expensive.

Coffinmaker

93_marlin · May 28, 2009, 07:13:03 PM

CoffinMaker, The hook is still there, Plenty of tension, cleaned out the crud(only a very tiny bit), the cartridge guide is there.
I had a brain fart a few minutes ago, I have some OLD balloon head 44/40's, I cycled a couple of those thru and had ZERO problems. Fed and ejected just great. At this point I guess I'm kinda leaning towards the brass after trying the old stuff, or maybe the extractor hook isn't formed right.

Fox Creek Kid · May 28, 2009, 08:39:19 PM

Magtech/CBC brass = GARBAGE. Give it to your mother in law. The rims are too thick. It is made in Brazil

Ammo rule #1: Never buy nor use ammo from a Third World country that has no potable water.

Coffinmaker · May 30, 2009, 09:48:17 PM

Plus 1 ....... and 2 to FCK. Off brand (third word or ........ ) ammunition can be a problem. I like to eliminate the mechanical possibilities with the rifle first. Magtech isn't wonderful ammunition but usually functions (goes bang), but must admit I usually see it used in handguns for cheap practice ammo.

Coffinmaker

litl rooster · May 30, 2009, 10:50:14 PM

you can send enny unwanted MagTech/CBC brass to me for proper disposal

Sod Buster · May 31, 2009, 09:33:44 AM

Quote from: litl rooster on May 30, 2009, 10:50:14 PM
you can send enny unwanted MagTech/CBC brass to me for proper disposal

Dang...you should have told me about 2 yrs ago before I threw it away.
I tried some Magtech 44-40 loads and they worked fine. No problems with extraction. My problem was reloading the brass.
It didn't survive the Dillion. I had problems with Starline, Winchester, and Remmington.

Flint · May 31, 2009, 11:19:51 AM

Sod Buster, If you are having problems reloading 44-40 brass, you are not alone. As the case walls are so thin, they are easily damaged/crushed when running a case into a sizing and/or belling/powder die. You must make sure the case is going straight up, not tipped, and the mouth engages the bell/funnel die true, also make sure the bullet you want to seat is straight.

It's not the Dillon's fault, it's the thin delicate walls of the cartridge case. As a result, you can't wail away at the speed you are accustomed to on the Dillon iin other caliber cases. Slow down and align the case mouths before you lower the handle.

litl rooster · May 31, 2009, 03:54:52 PM

single stage 'm on my Lee....very seldom crush'm try to get gamey load'n and I will crush'm all the time. I am shooting CBC brass I bought 4 or 5 years ago now....Shot some yesterday...will shoot some next time out...Give me your funny spanish speaking brass I'll use it. Going to lose some to the brass gods at the range faster than I ruint it on the press. Were not shooting 400 meter targets I just want hit a steel plate 30 ft away...

Sod Buster · May 31, 2009, 06:24:10 PM

Quote from: Flint on May 31, 2009, 11:19:51 AM
Sod Buster, If you are having problems reloading 44-40 brass, you are not alone.

Nope no problems with Starline, Winchester, and Remmington-Peters.
Just had problems with Magtech. That's why I don't use it anymore.

I haven't been reloading 44-40 very long...only about 3 years so I know how to do it....nice and slowly.

Sod Buster · May 31, 2009, 06:27:59 PM

Quote from: litl rooster on May 31, 2009, 03:54:52 PM
Going to lose some to the brass gods at the range faster than I ruint it on the press.

Yup. Same here. It's an honor to donate some brass to the gods for the priviledge of shooting.

LR, I'll look and see if I have any Magtech brass left. If I do, I will bring it to you.

litl rooster · June 02, 2009, 08:43:18 AM

Thanks SB...yer right nice and slow is the way to load it, Even in my single stage set up I can load 100 an hour slowly. They turn out much nicer looking. I still crush a few, usually something I did wrong. However it's not one type of brass 'r another. Starline Top Brass you name it I've have crush'd 'm. I can usually pull the pill and resize'm to use