Prepping for Pennsylvania Deer Season

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CaptHank

CaptHank

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I'm heading up early to check on the areas that I hunt. The areas are in Lancaster County, PA. My hunting handgun is a Dan Wesson 41 Mag, 8" barrel. Since I'm going to be walking the woods, I decided to carry something lighter.

My New Model Blackhawk 45 Colt, 5.5" barrel, it is normally loaded with 7.0 GR. W-231 and a 250 GR. XTP bullets. I decided to make a few stouter loads for the area inspection. I chose 9.0 GR. Tite Group, same 250 GR. XTP (OAL) 1.600".

Off to the range to sight things in. After 5 rounds, I saw pieces flying in front of me and clanging on the concrete floor. The entire ejector housing came off. Took an hour to find the missing screw. Upon inspection, it was void of any thread locker. Cut the range session short and headed home. Cleaned everything up, reinstalled the ejector housing, used Red Loctite on the screw and snugged tight. It will stay in the safe, while curing. I checked my other single actions, all screws were tight.

Question, was this load too much for the piece? Or, the lack of thread locker causing the problem?

I'm going to use my 627-5 for inspecting the hunting areas.



I
 
Should have used blue loctite as I think the red is more permanent.

But, I'm a handgun hunter myself. I have scoped 14" T/C Contenders in .44 Magnum and 7-30 Waters all sighted in and ready to go. I also have a non-scoped 7.5" Super Blackhawk in .44 Magnum ready as well.

I found that little screw tends to loosen up a bit when shooting my SBH. I check it often, but since putting a little dab of blue loctite on it, it seems to be staying snug.
 
Thanks for the reply, Steve. I also, had blue, but I wanted the screw to be permanent. If it has to come off, I will apply my heat gun to the area. I will keep track of the screws, from here on out. Ruined my day at the range.

Best of Luck to you, on opening day.
 
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I live near the line between Lackawanna and Luzerne counties and I'm waiting on hunting season too. I think I will take out my Marlin 30-30 levergun this year or maybe the 45-70 levergun instead.
 
AA....I've had the itch for a lever action for a while now, especially one in .35 Remington. But, I was at my LGS the other day and they had some Marlin and Henry rifles in .44 Magnum. So, so tempting! I get a longevity check at the beginning of the New Year, so I might end up with a lever action in .44 Magnum!
 
I experienced the same thing with my .357 New Model Blackhawk not long after I purchased it (used). Put it all back together and thought about using some blue LocTite on it but decided not to and just check it once in a while to see if it starts to loosen up again. So far it hasn't loosened and it's had a bunch of 180 gr. hardcast loads that are fairly hot but not over book max. . So I'll continue to keep an eye on it but I'm wondering if that's something that Blackhawks might be prone to do? If it happens again it'll get the blue LocTite for sure.
 
Steve in PA said:
AA....I've had the itch for a lever action for a while now, especially one in .35 Remington. But, I was at my LGS the other day and they had some Marlin and Henry rifles in .44 Magnum. So, so tempting! I get a longevity check at the beginning of the New Year, so I might end up with a lever action in .44 Magnum!
Click to expand...
A .44 Magnum will do great where we hunt deer. I will probably be in 3C this year!:D
 
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