Frustrating Vortek Strikerfire

[Blackrock]

I could be wrong, but I might expect free floating the forearm, indexing sabots and knurling bullets to cut a 2" group to 1" but not cure the inconsistencies I am seeing.

The barrel does not have a speed load system and the crown actually looks quite good.

Breech plug was new with the rifle so the flash hole is the standard size Tradition uses. I have not heard of others having problems with that and I am getting no blow back around the primer pocket.

I clean the breech plug with a drill bit every 5 shots.

It doesn't have iron sights. I switched scopes to a Nikon I had on another rifle and I am certain there isn't a scope problem. I even switched the scope back to the Optima V2 I had it on and while the zero was off because of the adjustments i made while on the Vortek, it shot consistent 1-1.5" groups using some of the same loads I tried in the Vortek. FWIW, the Vortek will shoot 1 hole groups at 25 yds with either scope but when I back off to 100, they open up big time.

Unfortunately, it does not have an accuracy guarantee and from what I have heard about Traditions customer support, I doubt they will be much help.

The large POI changes due to different loads is baffling. My next step is going to be a very thorough examination of all the mechanicals, stock and forearm mounting bolts and fit to the hinge pin. Nothing appears to be loose but I'm going to check them all. I'm also going to take a very close look at the integrity of the supplied scope base and rings. The base is a Weaver style clone, as are the rings, and while they appear to be adequate, they certainly aren't the most robust I've seen. Again, nothing appears to be loose but I'm going to take a hard look at them.

I have a Vortek Strikerfire and sabots were nearly all flyers. Exclusively use PowerBelt™ Aerolite Bullets - 250 Grain or 300 grain. Always use 2 pellets and only White Hots. (As an added benefit, fires very clean -- do not need any swabbing at the range). I use whatever 209 primer I can find. Breech plug grease is from Traditions. I use the Optima scope that came with it. Hunting here is in medium to heavy brush and all shots will be in range of 30-60 yards. I zero to 50 yards and consistently have sub 1 inch groups at that distance.
When loading, once started, the bullet travels smoothly down the barrel. I have not experienced the waffling feeling you describe.
Sounds like barrel the problem. Any chance Traditions will look at it?

 

[CatamountRob]

Any chance Traditions will look at it?

Probably not since the post is from 2016.

 

[user 31916]

It has been pointed out to me several times in my life that I am an idiot, but I never heard of an O-ring in the primer Pocket. Seems like that would solve all of the blowback problems. I found an O-ring that I had but it was 1.5 mm thick, and the attachment from Illinois Hunter listed an oring with a thickness of 1 mm. The 1.5mm thickness is too thick and the breach will not close. I found some at “fix supply“ a package of 50 of them for about nine dollars Plus shipping. So about 25 bucks total. These are Viton material, which sometimes is the brown material instead of typical black (but these are actually black). The advantage to that is that they tolerate twice as high of a temperature as Buna material.

They should be here next week, then we can give it a try. Thanks for all your feedback.

https://www.fixsupply.com/zusav1x4-5-viton-o-ring-1mm-wide-x-4-5mm-id-pack-of-50

 

[phalanx]

Please let us know how it works out. Changing primers?

 

[ram2]

Please let us know how it works out. Changing primers?

Phalanx-did you ever shoot the .45 Vortek Strikerfire you bought?

 

[Dieselden454]

Just Suggesting , have you tried any of the powerbelt bullets ? Starting with a lower load & working your way up & if that does'nt work I would have the barrel checked . would'nt hurt you've tried everything else !

 

[phalanx]

Ram2, I did shoot it using some 300 gr "platinum" coated Powerbelts with the blue skirt. I don't think they make them anymore. At 50 they grouped well according to my notes, Cheddite primers and o-ring. Two 777 pellets according to the notes, which is odd because I don't normally shoot pellets and completely forgot I did with that gun. May have to shoot it again before November MZ season. The 300gr 45 PB did very well in Ron's testing.

 

[LHR]

I see where you say you have used either 70 or 77 grains by weight. Have you tried groups with loads between these two numbers?

 

[Dennis Stankovitz]

this says it has a 'speed load system'
https://traditionsfirearms.com/product/ ... -r561120ns

looks similar to TC and CVA quick loading, no rifling for a short distance
Technology

Does yours have rifling all the way to the end of the bore?

I do feel your pain, I'm not happy until my rifle shoots 1" or less at 100yds consistantly.

 

[Dennis Stankovitz]

It maybe the lead sled. Have heard a lot of people say it’s not good for the scope. Maybe it’s knocking your scope around