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Posted: 3/30/2008 10:20:00 AM EDT
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I have a Tantal rifle in 5.45x39. Surplus ammo and Barnaul 55 gr HP ammo does fine, except for an occassional failure to go into battery with the Barnaul HP's. When that happens, the bullet has engaged the rifling as it marks the bullet near the mouth of the case. When I change to Golden Tiger 60 gr FMJ ammo, there is no failure to feed, chamber, etc. and the weapon functions and fires with no problems except that the bullets tumble and "keyhole" on the target at 100 yards and even as close as 50 yards. The barrel twist is 1x8. I'm thinking that there may not be enough freebore or the GT stuff might actually be heavier than 60 gr. I do have another rifle in 5.45x39 and it works fine with all the above ammo. Has anyone here ever had the same problem? Looks like the Tantal will be going back for warranty repair and/or a new barrel. Thanks. |
| Wasn't there a thread a month or so ago on this very topic? IIRC someone pointed out that some Tantals were assembled with American-made barrels in .223 ---- which isn't helpful. Maybe do a search, it might come up. If the ammo works well in your other rifles, then it's the gun. |
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Thanks Gents! I'm pretty positive it is the barrel. Going to pull and weigh a few GT bullets today and re-check the muzzle break for strikes. Both guns are Century builds, one with chrome lining and the Tantal without. The Tantal is going back this week for them to check. If it can't be squared away I'm going to "bite the bullet" and have the barrel replaced with a new one that is chrome lined. Best regards, Phil |
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