Firing pin

i have always heard that the closer to center that the firing pin hits, the better the groups. Is there any truth to this and could someone explain it to a half crazy old man. I bought a Savage Long Range Hunter in a 6.5 creedmore. The pin strike is at least a pin diameter width off center. Pretty tight groups, three deer at 300 yards. Just wondering if I can tighten it up. Thanks for any answers.

It can be a direction to look when troubleshooting. It's something especially likely to be an issue on one-piece bolt rifles like Remmy 700's and Winny 70's (so not Savages) but there is no definitive diagnostic relationship as a matter of broad generalization. Off center primer strikes certainly aren't going to help anything but they'd fail to help in a very consistent way so to say it would booger up the groups for sure would be speculative at best, particularly with a Savage. Now one-piece bolt guns, that I'd be talking to my gunsmith about since it would have apparently already passed QC from the factory.

This is also a case where the firing pin may not be the thing that's not centered. It might just be the chamber.

Kentucky said:

i have always heard that the closer to center that the firing pin hits, the better the groups. Is there any truth to this and could someone explain it to a half crazy old man. I bought a Savage Long Range Hunter in a 6.5 creedmore. The pin strike is at least a pin diameter width off center. Pretty tight groups, three deer at 300 yards. Just wondering if I can tighten it up. Thanks for any answers.

Click to expand...

This is true to a point, in that the primer is designed to be struct in the center for a more consistent burn. If you look at the construction. you will see the Anvil is centered and is the best location for a consistent strike.

The primer will still work most of the time, as you can attest to but it is not considered the best condition for accuracy. It was not usual for some people to re cut the primer hole in the bolt years ago if they were offset. With today's machines it is rare to see this and considered poor workmanship.

It can be fixed if you don't like the accuracy, but if you are happy with it, leave it alone. The most notable thing that it effects is the SDs and ESs because of the off centered strike. There are other things that can increase the SDs like inconsistent firing pin strikes (Firing spring is hanging up some times effecting the consistence of the strike and the force of the strike. cold weather can also effect this if the firing pin is over lubricated it can slow or even stop the firing pin from functioning.

Loose primer pockets can also effect the the strike force. so this is just one of the things that can effect the performance of the cartridge.

https://www.google.com/search?q=rif...wKHb9-ArYQ9QEwE3oECAMQBA#imgrc=e0B2FK1QuvQb8M:

J E CUSTOM

BallisticsGuy said:

It can be a direction to look when troubleshooting. It's something especially likely to be an issue on one-piece bolt rifles like Remmy 700's and Winny 70's (so not Savages) but there is no definitive diagnostic relationship as a matter of broad generalization. Off center primer strikes certainly aren't going to help anything but they'd fail to help in a very consistent way so to say it would booger up the groups for sure would be speculative at best, particularly with a Savage. Now one-piece bolt guns, that I'd be talking to my gunsmith about since it would have apparently already passed QC from the factory.

This is also a case where the firing pin may not be the thing that's not centered. It might just be the chamber.

Click to expand...

Thank you. I can usually hold a sub zero at 100 and to tell the truth I've probably got more gun than I am shooter. Just one of those things that pops

BallisticsGuy said:

It can be a direction to look when troubleshooting. It's something especially likely to be an issue on one-piece bolt rifles like Remmy 700's and Winny 70's (so not Savages) but there is no definitive diagnostic relationship as a matter of broad generalization. Off center primer strikes certainly aren't going to help anything but they'd fail to help in a very consistent way so to say it would booger up the groups for sure would be speculative at best, particularly with a Savage. Now one-piece bolt guns, that I'd be talking to my gunsmith about since it would have apparently already passed QC from the factory.

This is also a case where the firing pin may not be the thing that's not centered. It might just be the chamber.

Click to expand...

thank you for your reply. I am usually sub zero at 100 but was hoping for a "hole puncher". I probably have more rifle than I am a shooter. This was o e of those things that like to pop up in my mind as I'm trying to get to sleep. Thanks again.

morning, my RCBS brass dressing station has a primer flash
hole arbor. this is supposed to make the primer flash hole concentric.
I do not use the primer pocket arbor. some of my weatherby brass
primer flash holes r smaller than normal.
JE Custom is totally right about the centering of the firing pin,
strike on the head of the primer. do not open
a can of money worms. justme gbot tum

just country said:

morning, my RCBS brass dressing station has a primer flash
hole arbor. this is supposed to make the primer flash hole concentric.
I do not use the primer pocket arbor. some of my weatherby brass
primer flash holes r smaller than normal.
JE Custom is totally right about the centering of the firing pin,
strike on the head of the primer. do not open
a can of money worms. justme gbot tum

Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. All in all I think I'm doing ok. From what I have been seeing on the hunting shows I am doing great. I just wanted to punch holes for my gratification. I ve a good rifle and glass. If I did t shake and quiver like a gay man in a wiener factory I could probably punch hole with it. Thanks again