Anyone have misfire issues Reloading for Blaser rifles

[BOSSGobbler]

I have been reloading alot the past 4 years. Mainly for bolt action hunting rifles. I picked up a couple of used Blaser rifles the past 2 yrs both R93 and R8 models from this forum website actually. I decided I would try my hand at reloading for R93 .257 WBY and R8 6.5 creedmore for hunting small game in Africa with 100 gr. bullets. My issue with both guns has been after 5-6 firings. I have been getting a significant amount of misfires. Primer shows shallow strike from firing pin. I checked the most recent rounds that misfired and shoulder bump is seemingly good. I use a Redding Instant indicator for measuring shoulder bump. The new lapua brass was Sammi spec. Once fired brass was +0.004 over Sammi, so I set the die to bump to +0.002 Sammi. All the misfires were mostly +0.002 to Sammi. I pulled the misfired cartridges and checked one of the primers in another rifle and it fired the primer so its not likely this is the issue and these are 1 yr old primers. I should state that the 6.5 Lapua brass is small rifle primer brass and I used CCI 400 primers and WSR primers. My concern is that something is going on with the firing bolt and not a me issue. I just find it weird that for a couple hundred rounds no problem and now an entire block of reloads won't fire, well at least half of them, I did not attemt the other half. If you have knowlege of this issue or have some thoughts I appreciate it.

Thank you

 

[R eight]

Blaser click? Was the bolt all the way forward? I see you say you have a light firing pin mark on the primer. My money is on a Blaser click.

 

[BOSSGobbler]

Blaser click? Was the bolt all the way forward? I see you say you have a light firing pin mark on the primer. My money is on a Blaser click.

What is a Blaser click? Is that a known issue with the rifle?

 

[R eight]

Go to post no. 63 on the below. It’s not an issue with the rifle, it’s an issue with the operator. I’ve been there done that.

Thread 'What problems have you encountered with your Blaser R8?'

Apr 20, 2024

Other than a couple of “operator errors “ , that I encountered in my first few weeks of ownership, I’ve never had a problem with my R8’s.

Anyway, here’s an opportunity for anyone who has owned or used an R8 to post up any tales of woe.

In the interest of keeping this thread concise let’s just keep the discussion on FAULTS only. And faults experienced by your mate’s, second cousin twice removed, father -in-laws second best mate don’t count.

And finally, “being too bloody expensive “ doesn’t count as a fault.

Cheers

• R eight
• Replies: 125
• Forum: Firearms & ammunition

• 
• 

 

[BOSSGobbler]

What is a Blaser click? Is that a known issue with the rifle?

I am aware of the problem with not pushing the bolt all the way forward and really push that bolt forward. Not saying its not the problem, but I don't think its the issue.
Thanks for the suggestion. I didnt know the term Blaser click before.

 

[Sideshow]

Try buying some new ammo see if you get the same issue.

 

[SRvet]

Are you FL sizing. They are very sensitive to being out of battery at which point they will not fire. I suspect you are creating a tight headspace situation that is responsible for this. Try pushing the shoulder back by another 2 thou to SAAMI spec and see if that solves your issue.

 

[spike.t]

What is a Blaser click? Is that a known issue with the rifle?

Blaser click is nickname for a puku here....it gave up standing around after a few blaser clicks and wandered off....a waterbuck nearly got named click 2...but we bumped it again and miraculously it went blaser bang instead of blaser click....

 

[Daggaboy375]

Find another Blaser owner near you and try his bolt in your rifle.
Just noticed Anchorage…..might be slim pickens.

 

[dogcat1]

I have as well. It was me not getting the bolt closed and pushed far enough forward. Also had an issue with bullets set too shallow.

 

[BOSSGobbler]

Are you FL sizing. They are very sensitive to being out of battery at which point they will not fire. I suspect you are creating a tight headspace situation that is responsible for this. Try pushing the shoulder back by another 2 thou to SAAMI spec and see if that solves your issue.

I am full length sizing. As stated, these are 5-6X fired, so the process worked hundreds of times in the past. There are just so many that misfired this week..... frustrating. There are some at Sammi shoulder measurement that didn't fire either. I am totally at a loss. I really do load the bolt with force forward to make sure its fully engaged, several times actually with the same result. I have some new brass. I think I will load some of those and a half a box of factory ammo to shoot as well.

 

[Nhoro]

Try stripping your bolt, cleaning and oiling. Maybe just some gunk in the workings, Blaser have some tight tolerances, I have read elsewhere about guys struggling with bolt closure because of dirt.

 

[Muskox]

Probably has something to do with belted cartridges and using a 7/8ths inch die instead of a 1.25 inch die. You probably are not resizing the base, because of the flex in the 7/8ths versus the 1.25 inch die.

Known reloading problem, not with Blasers but with all belted magnums of any size.

 

[Surgeon1]

Iv'e never had a misfire in any belted mag rifle I own, Blasers have their own issues,
my advice, get a Mauser or Mod 70 based gun Issues solved. You never hear PHs complain or make fun of them.

 

[Muskox]

Known problem with 300 Winchesters in their 5-8th reloading. Or using someone else's once fired brass in your chamber.

For any rifle not just Blasers.

 

[Muskox]

Belted magnum issue, more than any other cartridge. Because a lot of dies do not work the base of the case.

 

[roklok]

Blaser issue. Search "Blaser click". Sure, if using brand new ammunition and if the operator is sure to fully push the bolt forward they should fire every time. Blaser owners and fanboys get defensive and chalk it up to user error, and they are usually correct, however a traditional turnbolt rifle does not have these issues. On a Blaser there is a small difference between the bolt being fully in battery or not, on a traditional bolt action it is very evident if the bolt is fully closed or not. In a traditional bolt action the camming action and leverage allows it to chamber slightly out of spec or oversize bases, necks, etc. Not so on a Blaser, they are much more finicky when reloading to remain reliable, more like loading for an autoloader or pump action. They make small base dies for that reason, though they are not readily available in a lot of chamberings.

 

[Daggaboy375]

I have seven calibers. Never had an issue.

DB

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

Try stripping your bolt, cleaning and oiling. Maybe just some gunk in the workings, Blaser have some tight tolerances, I have read elsewhere about guys struggling with bolt closure because of dirt.

Agreed!

I load for a Blaser S-2 in ..375 H&H. This helps in retaining case life for any belted magnum case, in any rifle. It also provides more usable case life for use in my S-2.

Belted magnum cased swell or get larger just ahead of the belt. Measure factory ammo or new brass and then measure brass that won't chamber in a Blaser and you will propably find a few thousands of an inch difference on the unusable brass.

Follow the directions and use a lot of Sizing Die Wax, never liquid or gel type case lube.

I don't know if these are still available since the maker, Larry Willis, has passed away.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/altamonte-springs-fl/larry-willis-10853827

"He was a proud Marine from 1970 to 1972 and an avid shooter even longer. He worked in the computer industry for over 20 years before chasing his true passion of inventing reloading tools. Through his own company, Innovative Technologies, he designed, patented, and manufactured multiple tools that he sold worldwide. The belted magnum collet resizing die, digital headspace gauge, and the wide view light reflector to name just a few."

His website was Innovative Technologies at LarryWillis.com I get a "Forbidden" with I try to search for it. If anyone knows where to buy these now, please share with all here.

 

[Philip Glass]

I use factory ammo and know to close the bolt well. I've only had this happen once when the gun was new and I was learning it.