Wm.Traynor wrote:MtnMan wrote:shoots just fine. even high velocity stuff.
Accuracy is Not what I was getting at.
But getting back to centrefires for a moment..........................
A lubed case or one wet with water (rain), does not "grip" the chamber walls, as in the example of a dry case. Therefore, all of the backthrust is delivered to the locking lugs and their abutments, instead of only part of the pressure. The lugs etc., are not designed for this. Sooner or later, something will give.
I assume that applies to rimfires too.
Yes, it applies to rimfires as well. The pressures are lower than most centrefires, but much higher than shotguns. The problem with lubing the case is the bolt thrust can easily exceed what the firearm is designed to withstand. A .22LR operates at a maximum of 24,000psi, even hyper-velocity stuff like Stingers, but most ammo never goes that high. A .22LR might see 1000lb of bolt thrust, but lubing the case might make it 2000lb, or 5000lb, or much higher still, which could be more than the action is designed to take, at least full-time. A few rounds might have no longterm effect on it, a few hundred might start fatiguing the steel.
I've never heard of wet brass being an issue though, I may have to investigate that further. Water is a very poor lubricant so I doubt it gives.much variance in bolt thrust, but it might.
It's better to determine why the firearm has an extraction issue and address that directly, in my opinion.