How to replace Savage firing pin?

[GSPKurt]

I loaded some .308 last week for a range trip with 155 Nosler Custom Comps over 48.0 gr. of 8208XBR which is 1.0 gr under max according to Hodgdon's Annual Manual. I got 3 blown primers in a row, so I quit shooting and pulled all the loads. Today I was shooting 45.0 gr. of 8208XBR and, although I am getting primer strikes, the primers are not detonating. I think I may have broken or damaged my firing pin. Has anyone ever replaced a firing pin in a Savage bolt?

 

[LRJammer]

Its really simple. Go to Savageshooters.com and they have and look at the FAQ section or even easier, there is a video of doing it out there on Youtube.

 

[tipper]

Yes, with the bolt out decock the firing pin, it should be about .060 out past bolt face.
Go here this guy almost has it right. decock before taking screw off. Don't dump it on the floor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIwyywJZf-4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqeXNCA_JtA

 

[cecchino76]

I LEARNED HOW TO TAKE MINE APART THE HARD WAY , IT TOOK MY A WEEK TO FIGURE IT OUTAND PUT IT BACK TOGETHER

 

[xcDave15]

not really related but 45 grains of 8208XBR is probably what you want to work up to, not start off at (for when you do fix your firing pin), I worked up to 45 grains and settled on 44.6 grains of 8208XBR with 155 grain amaxs and I get amazing accuracy. any higher than 44.8 and i get signs of pressure/blown primers. just something to think about

 

[Big Z]

A tip--iffin you're adjusting protrusion, use wire strippers to grab and pull down on the spring...the kind that has the wire strippers on the handle side of the hinge, and crimpers at the distal end. Allen wrench is 6mm I believe.

 

[devildogandboy]

here's some helpful info on adjusting the firing pin protrusion and spring length.
http://www.savageshooters.com/content.php?143-Firing-Pin-Protrusion-Data

 

[bodywerks]

You may not need to replace the firing pin, just remove it and clean it and the bolt pin. You may have just gotten fod in the firing pin hole of the bolt head from the blown primers.

 

[GSPKurt]

Thanks, folks. I appreciate it very much.

 

[GSPKurt]

not really related but 45 grains of 8208XBR is probably what you want to work up to, not start off at (for when you do fix your firing pin), I worked up to 45 grains and settled on 44.6 grains of 8208XBR with 155 grain amaxs and I get amazing accuracy. any higher than 44.8 and i get signs of pressure/blown primers. just something to think about

Thanks for this info. The Annual Manual shows 45.0 as less than the starting charge.

 

[FALex]

48gr of 8208 seems like it would be a hot load...

 

[xcDave15]

Thanks for this info. The Annual Manual shows 45.0 as less than the starting charge.

must be a misprint- Hodgdon's online reloading data center quotes 41.0 grains as a starting point and 45.3 as a max

 

[GSPKurt]

I found my error. The pages stuck together and I was looking at 30/06 load data... That could have been tragic.

 

[tipper]

Always check & reckeck load data.
I wondered why it took 3 blown primers before you stopped, 1 or 2 at most should of did it.
So about the firing pin what's the out come.
QL = 70000psi 48gr very hot load