Problem with Uberti 1860 Henry

[Bdr Bob]

Howdy all you fine folks! Last week I received a new Uberti (Taylor's) Henry Military in .45 Colt. I haven't been able to get to a range yet, unknown when I can. (Taking care of my Mother (80) at her house, and dog (13) at my house, both showing their ages).
I had a bit of free time, so I grabbed some AZoom (aluminum) .45 snap caps to play with.
I  experienced feeding and ejection problems. Of 10 rounds, maybe 3 would feed OK, then the rest would be in one of 2 conditions;
1. Snap cap in chamber, next snap cap directly behind (to correct, manaully pressed on carrier(?) to move one cap out of way, clear one in chamber, then one on carrier.
2. Snap cap not completely ejected, facing straight up (to correct, remove by hand)

Could I be doing something wrong?

[Major 2]

WAG   ...(wild ass guess)

it's the snap cap(s)  ...they are design to protect the firing pin  

not to cycle in a overall length dependent action nor , work at all reliability with an extractor in firing style simulations.

For action simulation , you'd want actual dummy  45 Colt

[Coffinmaker]

Ah, my first knee jerk reflex is your Snap Caps are the wrong size for your rifle.  My first guess about the AZoom is the rim is insufficient
for the extractor hook to correctly "grab" the rim.  Along with that, Uberti rifles are notorious for too much head space in the large bore rifles.  Uberti buts a little "bevel" on the breach endow the barrel to aid chambering.  If the bevel is a little "over done" with Uberti
generous chamber dimensions, the case will sit too far into the chamber, making head space worse.
Stovepipeing (case straight up) is caused by the case not being retained by the extractor and guide tab (bottom of the bolt) throughout
the extraction/ejection process and the case either drops into the front of the Carrier Block or just stands up in front of the frame.

I don't think "you" are doing anything "wrong."  I think your Snap Caps (AZoom) just suck for your intended purpose  

Coffinmaker

[Coffinmaker]

Just a quick additional HO HO HO HO (snicker).  When you make your own action working "Dummies,"  they will flip back and hit you
in the forehead when you cycle the action "briskly."  (Safety Glasses a MUST)

Coffinmaker

[Bdr Bob]

Thanks Major2 and Coffinmaker!
I shall make some dummy rounds or make a great escape to the Range next week.

They are classy rifles. I will join the group.

[Major 2]

Thanks Major2 and Coffinmaker!
I shall make some dummy rounds or make a great escape to the Range next week.

They are classy rifles. I will join the group.

quite welcome..I just added you to shooters the list  

[Okefinokee Outlaw]

Same thing occurs with the BTH Henry.  Snap caps do not work, but the real cartridges do.

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Just be sure you crimp the bullets really firmly in your dummy cartridges.

My experience, particularly with 44-40 dummies in a lever gun, is that the slamming action of the follower violently slamming the stack of cartridges in the magazine back every time one is stripped out of the magazine, will cause the bullet to telescope into the case after a couple of times through the action.

I don't have any 45 Colt rifles, maybe the thicker brass of the 45 Colt case will hold the bullet more securely, but be sure you put a good, firm crimp on them anyway.

[Coffinmaker]

Driftwood,
Very astute observation.  I forgot to mention when I made my 45 Colt and 44-40 Action Dummies (a Gun Plumbers Friend) I carefully cut
wood dowel stock until the bullet sat on top of the dowel at the crimp groove.  Then I crimped them tightly.  Even 45s will slowly work
their way back into the case.  A "turtle" will stop a rifle dead in it's trax.

Coffinmaker

PS:  Action dummies that are cycled thru the action MUST have something in the primer pocket to cushion the firing pin.  Piece of pencil
eraser, very stiff RTV, something like that.  Also, if dry fire is desired, file a flat in the rim of cartridge case so the rifle won't cycle it.  Just
remember to take it out prior to a match (very embarrassing). 

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

Just make dummy rounds with no powder .
Put silicone in primer hole .
And you have dummy rounds you can cycle .