BFR not firing every time

[iaredneck]

Hi, been reading here awhile, which caused me to buy a nearly new BFR 475. Tried it out last night and have a little problem.
Shot 10 rds of Hornady 480-- no problem, switched to Hornady 475 and had one failure to fire out of the first cyl full. Looked like a light firing pin strike. Next cyl full had one more light strike. Hit em both a second time and they went off.
Is my mainspring weak or do I have an issue with the transfer bar? If I dry fire and watch the firing pin protrusion, it looks like that little bugger is sticking thru plenty far.

[subsonic]

Factory ammo or handloads?

If handloads, seat the primers deaper.

If factory.... it could need a mainspring. Get a 26lb Wolff for a Ruger Blackhawk.

[toroflow]

I had the same trouble with my BFR 45-70. A new higher powered Wolff mainspring as subsonic recommends fixed it.

[tek4260]

Same chamber each time?

[buckheart]

Same problem here with a 45/70 bfr. Swapping the spring out did the trick.

[iaredneck]

Thanks for the info guys! The ammo was Hornady factory stuff. I noticed the primers looked different, as in more rounded on the 475 compared to the 480. Maybe the 475 ammo uses a little harder primer? Sorry tek, I didnt keep track of which chamber. I think I'll give that Wolff spring a try.
Been shootin handguns my whole life, but this is my first "cannon" ;D Really tests your trigger control when that 475 doesnt fire!

[Aggie01]

I'll add one more vote to the high power mainspring.
I think I went with stock Ruger spring in mine when I had it.

[nolongcolt]

I too had some misfires a couple weeks ago with mine using handloads. First time with such issues, so yust for the halibut I swapped out to a Ruger spring and shot it today, no issues. It is obvious that the primers are getting hit harder, no question.

[tek4260]

Wonder why BFR would use too soft of a spring? I suppose most SA's that get tinkered on get lighter springs so BFR catered to those kind of shooters.

Mine never missed a lick, but I replaced the spring with a 26# pretty early on. Heck, even my Single Sixes have 26# springs.

[subsonic]

I think it has to do with rifle primers and pistol springs.... or even pistol primers in rifle pockets with pistol strength springs.

Regardless, both my .475 and .500jrh have stock springs and don't miss a lick with Fed155 primers.

I do have a pile of 26# springs anyway and they will probably get 26#ers at some point to improve lock time.

I really like the 26# spring in my Bisley .45.

[maxcactus]

Don't mean to hijack this thread, but how many lbs are the Ruger BH hammer springs normally! 22?

[subsonic]

I think 19lb.

[dlhredfoxx]

I get 100% ignition with a 19 lb main spring, but lock time is a bit slower... factory Ruger hammer springs seem stronger than 19 lbs to me... at least when I cock them side-by-side... nothing to measure them with, just feel. I've never tried a 26 lb, might have to do that and see how it feels. Does it help take any creep out of the trigger? Not meaning to hijack here... I think the OP might benefit from a heavier main spring... or sell the BFR and buy a Ruger for a 475 conversion... JK iaredneck...

[iaredneck]

Put in a Wolff 26# spring today. Seems a LOT stronger! Will test tomorrow.
Thanks again!
Dale

[Tx Gun Runner]

Order a stock hammer spring for a Old Army Ruger black powder they are a little heavier then the Blackhawk and Vaquero and work well with mag or rifle primer .

My 357 Blackhawk had miss fire with CCI primer and after measuring the firing it was too short . The pic the new one looks like it is too deep but it matches my other guns . Original is spelled wrong , bad proof reading .......