SSG69 in 308

[The Tartan Torpedo]

Good evening,

Was zeroing my 308 SSG69 yesterday 3 Feb 24 and kept coming across an issue that I am wondering if anyone else has. Every first round that is chambers fails to fire, but every one thereafter does, even when I put the ejected round back in. I tried switching magazines, rounds and even hand fed rounds into the chamber. Always the first round, weird! Every round fired has good ‘cap strike’ and no case damage. All indications lead to a bolt issue, but what? I am going to strip it and investigate, clearly but wonder if anyone else has come across this issue. Obviously, using it for stalking is out the window until this is resolved, best TP.

 

[enfieldspares]

I suspect that the round has been loaded with the primer not seated deep enough. For even on a round with too much headspace the inertia should be enough to fire the cartridge if the primer is seated fully. As we used to fire .45 ACP through .455 Colt New Service revolvers with just the inertia being enough to detonate the primer even though the round was actually full free floating backwards and forwards in the cylinder. If you can before looking to the gun as a problem try some factory ammunition. Or primed "reloaded" (well not actually reloaded but just primed) cases that another person has done on their own equipment.

 

[MarinePMI]

HAve you cleaned the firing pin spring? Sometimes grease builds up, and gums things up. Seems like your first shot may be breaking things loose, and then subsequent shots are not having a retarded firing pin.

 

[Stiffy]

Enfeildspares is correct regarding pistol primers, as the cup is made from thiner gauge.

In my experience headspace is unlikely to be the issue as the SSG69 has always been known for its tight headspace, and a rifle primer not fully seat won't normally fire on the second attempt.

In the past I have had this issue with two of my SSG69 (.243 and .308) and found it to be a very subtle light strike due to the firing pin and trigger interlock dragging when the safety catch was applied between closing the bolt and pulling the trigger, especially if the first stage trigger weight had been lightened either by adjustment or spring replacement.

If you don't touch the safety between cycling and firing it could indicate that is where the problem lies. Try a different order with your actions to see if you can replicate the problem.

Hope you solved it.

 

[The Tartan Torpedo]

Thanks for your advice guys, I stripped the bolt back and on inspection I noticed that there was a build up of old grease on the spring, I am going to run it through the sonic cleaner and see if that was the issue, failing that I will try everything you have suggested, best TP.