Riddle me this one-
3 different Smiths
1- Pietta/515 bore
2- Pietta/516 bore
3- Navy Arms/518 Hoyt reline/ Flees flash hole mod
Ammo tried-
Combinations of 3fg Goex and Old E up to 32gr.
Bullets- .516 up to .520 pure lead and "carbine" lead 340gr to 460gr generally sized +.001-2 over bore
Cases- New manufacture black plastic/old black plastic/orange urethane/brass
Lens Lube
All three guns have exhibited a jumping open on firing from time to time. Today with as low as 24gr 3f Swiss, 25gr 2f Goex, pure lead bullets, Lens Lube. All three guns have good top straps. All three have it happen anywhere from 2 to 5 rounds in on a string.
So my question- what causes a Smith to jump open with one load and not another. One thing I have observed, with one of the Piettas, the black case showed signs of pressure, but the opening isn't all the time, nor is the pressure ring on the black case when it happens. This almost appears to be random and I think it's pressure related and somewhere with the ammo.
I have a couple theorys-
1- Lube? Only constant between all guns, but the 24gr Swiss load was a leftover from another shooter (lube unknown). I have heard of lube issues in Smiths leading to horrid accuracy and very inconsistent velocity (read pressure)
2- Leading? Got a couple flakes out of one gun while cleaning (and only one)
3- Pressure curve of Old E v Swiss v Goex? Not really sure, but it's happened with all three types
4- Pure lead v Carbine lead? Also not sure about this one as it's happened with bullets of both alloys
5- Operator error on gun? It's happened to all three of my Smiths with different shooters
So you Smith gurus out there, any ideas on what to look at? I'm switching lubes for the next test session to take that out of the equation.
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