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July 31, 2025
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I have a 1886. When the rifle is unloaded the action cycles fine. When I put a cartridge in, this case it’s a 45-90, the rifle is very hard to put into battery (last 1/8 of lever movement). Then it is extremely hard to start the ejection process. After it doesn’t stick, it throws the empty like normal. This issue happens when I take the extractor off the bolt too. Any ideas what could be causing this?
The dummy cartridge is brand new starline brass with 300 gr bullet seated properly. But i will check. When pushed in by hand it looks flush with barrel
Just measured the bullet. Within size. I ran a new empty cartridge into the chamber. It came out rolled at a 2.398 not 2.40. This is a new barrel too. Maybe needs cut anther 0.002?
October 29, 2011
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Are you sure it was full length sized?
May 2, 2009
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It sure sounds like the cartridge is not sized right for the chamber. If you can’t push it in by hand it can only be the cartridge
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
November 7, 2015
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I would check the bullet diameter and the loaded case dimensions. Odd that it seems to seat with finger pressure but not with the bolt. I suppose something in the bolt raceway or locking bolts could be binding up only when under a load. Time for a closer look.
Mike
April 15, 2005
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Otisman68 said
Just measured the bullet. Within size. I ran a new empty cartridge into the chamber. It came out rolled at a 2.398 not 2.40. This is a new barrel too. Maybe needs cut anther 0.002?
It does appear to be a slightly short chamber. It is possible that the breech end of the barrel was trimmed a bit when it was being fitted to the receiver and bolt. If you do ream the chamber length to fix the problem, I recommend .004 – .005″ versus just .002″.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
December 9, 2002
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I could be off base here, as I do agree with the members suggesting on everything that you’re checking on, and I would certainly be looking at the cartridges first, and the action.
I noticed that you said the barrel was replaced, but I hadn’t noticed anything as far as the receiver.
As I had a friend who had a similar situation with a M-1886, and after a bargain priced restoration, from a guy that did it on the side, the Receiver wasn’t blocked up properly, for the extreme heat from the new case color restoration, and had moved and tightened up a little, causing the actions smoothness to disappear.
The M-1886, is considered by many, to be one of the best rifle designs by J.M.B. It’s smooth cycling is second to none. IMO!
Tony
September 19, 2014
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I should think if the chamber length is in question, seating a .45-70 might give that answer. If it is headspace vs chamber length, then a similar situation would also occur. Not a matter I have any experience with tho, but the cartridge bases are supposedly the same. Tim
January 8, 2025
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I had a Krag that closed hard and I didn’t notice at first but it was denting the case shoulder. I couldn’t see what was causing it without having a borescope. I rented a chamber reamer for $80 and that corrected the problem. It closes on no go but not a field now. It was one of the old mail order 1903 rebarrels I like what Tim suggested about the 45-70. Sounds like an easy way to check the chamber.
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