H&R Handi Rifle in 300blk having trouble firing

[John A.]

Actually, the proper way to check a break action with a No-go style gauge is not at all, or with the extractor removed and measure the amount of gauge sticking up or down out of the chamber.

If you drop the hardened steel gauge into a tight or in-spec chamber and snap it shut, you will either ruin the gauge or the chamber.

I always check with the extractor removed. On any gun. And on certain guns, like a break action, yes you can and probably should measure with the field gauge to see how much is sticking out of the chamber.

But just because it closed on a no go gauge doesn't necessarily mean the chamber is bad.

Just that the chamber is worn, or cut long.

And with my prior experience with NEF and H&R, they are typically cut long.

Also OP, if you're really worried about it, buy some cerrosafe and make a cast of the chamber so you'll know exactly what you are dealing with.

Those are my humble suggestions.

[dellet]

Actually, the proper way to check a break action with a No-go style gauge is not at all, or with the extractor removed and measure the amount of gauge sticking up or down out of the chamber.

If you drop the hardened steel gauge into a tight or in-spec chamber and snap it shut, you will either ruin the gauge or the chamber.

I always check with the extractor removed. On any gun. And on certain guns, like a break action, yes you can and probably should measure with the field gauge to see how much is sticking out of the chamber.

But just because it closed on a no go gauge doesn't necessarily mean the chamber is bad.

Just that the chamber is worn, or cut long.

And with my prior experience with NEF and H&R, they are typically cut long.

Also OP, if you're really worried about it, buy some cerrosafe and make a cast of the chamber so you'll know exactly what you are dealing with.

Those are my humble suggestions.

More just pointing it out to the op, since he stated that he closed the rifle on the gauge. It does not take much force to jam the gauge in to a shoulder that almost does not exist in the chamber

In any case I would be more likely to blame the ammo than the chamber. I've seen more short shoulders on commercial ammo than long chambers on rifles.

[amedeo1227]

Well I bought a Wolff hammer spring from midway and it comes in on Friday.

I will try to put it in myself and try shooting it again with various ammo. I just want a reliable gun. Nothing more.

[HotRodColt]

My Handi rifle didn't like the uncle mikes hammer extension at all. Had a misfire every 3-4 rounds. Found an aluminum extension on Numerich, that helped but I still seem to have 1-2 misfires per box of ammo. I think I am going to remove the 2-7 I have on there and replace it with a Pa 3x prismatic and ditch the hammer spur all together. I ordered a Wolff spring but I have yet to install it

[triggerman300]

Did a polish/trigger job on mine but never given me any problems at all. That little sucker is a tack driver!

[80hp]

One trick owners of the 300 Whisper TC's (parent of the 300 Blackout) did was to cut a recess in the rear of the chamber the size of the .357mag case head. Then they could shoot both 300 W or 357Max brass formed in a 300w die. This gave them a rim that was easier to hold and a cartridge that head paced on the rim. It would work just as well with 300 Blk single shots.
M.

[HotRodColt]

Any luck with the Wolff spring kit?

[cwlongshot]

Three things could be the issue.

1) transfer bar timing. (Replace transfer bar)

2) Firing pin protrusion is too short.

3) WEAK FACTORY hammer spring.

Of coarse its may not be limited to just one of the three...

Good luck,
CW

[fixit]

one thing i've not seen mentioned is the issue of whether the barrel, fits the action correctly. i have a blackout barrel that required a .005 shim between the hinge pin and the lug before it would operate correctly, but, now it's a sweetheart! the reality is that h&r/n.e.f. kept their prices down by not holding the tolerances necessary for true interchageable barrels, meaning each barrel must be fitted to the action. if this barrel was not the original barrel for this action, that is a culprit i would definitely consider!

[Chuckles]

Mine had similar issues, removing the hammer extension I initially added helped, however switching to CCI 400s or 450s really fixed it for me. The factory spring just won't ignite 41s on my end.