Seekins PH3 firing pin

[CoryShap09]

Has anyone experienced fail to fire with a 7 PRC? I had 4 / 20 fail to fire yesterday. What’s the fix to this?

 

[AZ Gator]

Disassemble the bolt and clean it to make sure there’s no heavy grease or debris slowing down everything in there.

Speaking of debris, and pierced primers while shooting that rifle in any recent sessions?

Were they light primer strikes, or do they look strong?

 

[CoryShap09]

They looked strong but did not fire, I disassembled round and put the primed brass in the gun and pulled the trigger. 3/4 fired on just the primed brass. The other did not. I had to pop it with a hammer and small punch.

Disassemble the bolt and clean it to make sure there’s no heavy grease or debris slowing down everything in there.

Speaking of debris, and pierced primers while shooting that rifle in any recent sessions?

Were they light primer strikes, or do they look strong?

 

[AZ Gator]

It they were good primer strikes, then I would probably blame the primers. It’s also possible they weren’t fully seated in the brass, so part of the strike energy was used up to push them into the brass.

If it’s factory ammo, especially if you have any more left, it may be worth contacting the maker and see what they say.

Any photos to share of the primer strikes that don’t fire?

 

[CoryShap09]

It they were good primer strikes, then I would probably blame the primers. It’s also possible they weren’t fully seated in the brass, so part of the strike energy was used up to push them into the brass.

If it’s factory ammo, especially if you have any more left, it may be worth contacting the maker and see what they say.

Any photos to share of the primer strikes that don’t fire?

That’s a possibility. No I don’t have any photos.

 

[Rubbin_Is_Racin]

I had a fail to fire today on my Element M3. It’s the middle one of the 3 shown. I was testing some new loads. These are handloads but the headspace is less than a factory round so I would assume, if anything they’d be less likely to have a “light” strike. Someone told me that they looked like light strikes though so I searched it online and found your thread. I did stick it back in and tried it again, no fire again. It didn’t appear to be any deeper of a dimple after that.

 

[CoryShap09]

I had a fail to fire today on my Element M3. It’s the middle one of the 3 shown. I was testing some new loads. These are handloads but the headspace is less than a factory round so I would assume, if anything they’d be less likely to have a “light” strike. Someone told me that they looked like light strikes though so I searched it online and found your thread. I did stick it back in and tried it again, no fire again. It didn’t appear to be any deeper of a dimple

 

[CoryShap09]

I ended up selling the rifle a few days ago. It FTF when I had my target buck in my scope. It’s the only gun I had and my buck was daylighting so I took a chance. I took a hit on the gun for sure but told them to get with Seekins to get the issue figured out. I went back to a Bergara MG Lite.

 

[wind gypsy]

Excessive headspace, insufficient firing pin protrusion, insufficient firing pin energy, bad primers? Would need to trouble shoot the first 3 and maybe more before concluding it was bad primers.

 

[TaperPin]

It can be informative to take the firing pin assembly out of the bolt and spray them both with brake cleaner (acetone) over a clean paper towel to see what comes out. Let it dry and inspect the inside of the bolt with a flashlight to see that it’s all cleaned out.

You’re also looking for a bent firing pin that might be pushing the spring tight up against the bolt body. Scuff marks on the firing pin can be a clue it’s happening and taking the spring off and rolling the pin on a flat surface is a sure fire test of straightness.

Heavy scuff marks on the cocking piece can point to the rear of the firing pin binding up either to poor fitment or a bend. Same for the sides of the cocking piece tang that rides down the receiver slot. One of the selling points of this receiver is how light it is and just looking at the disassembled bolt the aluminum cocking piece and rear firing pin extension do not instill confidence. If ever there would be a combination that might bend this would be it.



As the rifle is fired the engagement lever of the trigger drops away from the cocking piece and any heavy scuff marks between the two, or an engagement lever that can’t fully get out of the way could be slowing down the firing pin fall.

Firing pin stick out of around .050” out from the bolt face is in the normal range for many rifles.

Spring strength can be measured, but it’s usually easier just to replace it. If the rifle ever had its spring replaced, it’s very easy to mistakenly install a short action spring in a long action bolt. I bought a used setup (different brand) with that issue and had I not been able to compare it with the correct spring could have easily missed it.

Three lug receivers have less of a bolt throw than 2 lug versions so manufacturers have to choose either a heavier bolt lift or weaker spring for the same bolt lift force. I dont have one to measure, but it would not surprise me if it comes with a lighter spring, especially since it looks like the cocking ramp is also aluminum. I may be totally off base, but that’s what catches my eye about the design.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I ended up selling the rifle a few days ago. It FTF when I had my target buck in my scope. It’s the only gun I had and my buck was daylighting so I took a chance. I took a hit on the gun for sure but told them to get with Seekins to get the issue figured out. I went back to a Bergara MG Lite.

Ouch man that sucks.

What also sucks is going from a not normally total dumpster fire to a very often big dumpster fire (Seekins to Bergarbage).