ODGreenThumb 13 Posted June 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 Interesting mullet man. I remember waiting for that commercial ammo to come in... expecting to punch circles in paper... oh boy it seems so long ago... wait... it was. And I still haven't heard anything back. I really hope for your sake its the ammo. Keep me updated. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dmac27 17 Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 Well OD after re-reading through this thread I was filled with complete and utter terror...I got to the post where you listed your serial number and rushed to my safe. Can you imagine what I found??? Yep you guessed it...the 5.45 Saiga I purchased last Friday is in the same serial number series as yours...H09-88**** So I decided to give it a test drive this morning so I loaded up my target stand last night got the rifle cased up and left for work early this morning so I could run out to the desert and put a few rounds down range. I only had 1 box of Wolf non-corrosive ammo so that was all I took did not want to shoot any of the corrosive surplus yet. So anyhow I tried it at 75 ft and less and it punched 20 perfectly round little holes. What a relief...I put 10 of them though a surplus 30 round mag that functioned flawlessly with no bullet guide installed...I just had to try that. I am still looking forward to seeing you get some resolution on your rifle. If they have had it this long I would assume their intention is to fix it but I think a little communication would go a long way here. I'll keep a good thought for you. I'll also keep you posted on my rifles status. I intend to shoot some of my surplus ammo through it this weekend to see what it does before I start the conversion process. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ODGreenThumb 13 Posted June 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 I asked for an update again today. Was told gunsmith is checking rifling, crown, and will be firing this evening. They also wanted to know what weight I was using. 52 gr. and 60 gr. are all I can find online, so that's what I shot. 4 different types. I can't imagine weight being a factor for 90 degree keyholing at such close range. They also apologized that it was taking so long but told me "It would be to your advantage if we can find the problem and get it resolved." Yeah, it sure would. I don't even want to speculate what the alternative would be.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
toshbar 36 Posted July 1, 2011 Report Share Posted July 1, 2011 IN for the updates. I wanna hear how this goes. Have you looked down the barrel from both ends to check the rifling, especially to check for burrs on the crown of the muzzle? A tiny burr could be throwing the already unstable bullet off balance right as it leaves the barrel. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
beefcakeb99 572 Posted July 1, 2011 Report Share Posted July 1, 2011 IN for the updates. I wanna hear how this goes. Have you looked down the barrel from both ends to check the rifling, especially to check for burrs on the crown of the muzzle? A tiny burr could be throwing the already unstable bullet off balance right as it leaves the barrel. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jeep45238 6 Posted July 1, 2011 Report Share Posted July 1, 2011 (edited) That's not a burr, that's a fracture in the material. That said, a burr inside the barrel is gone after a few shots, same on the crown. An uneven crown should not effect stability to a large degree, but an oversized ID on the barrel lands absolutely will. Crown will definitely impact the bullets poa/poi and consistency in grouping. This game is all about gyroscopic stability at several thousand feet per second squared, and north of 175,000 revolutions per minute. Edited July 1, 2011 by jeep45238 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
avatar 4 Posted July 1, 2011 Report Share Posted July 1, 2011 (edited) Check the muzzle crown. You may have a Fri afternoon or Monday morning Barrel. Try recrowning it the poorman's way - Brass roundhead bolt chucked up in a hand drill with some valve grinding compound. Ghetto? Yes. but it Works. Of course go through warranty if possible. But if not, and the barrel passed the bullet test, other than ammo, I'd be looking at the muzzle. Edit: missed quite a few pages. Bummer Edited July 1, 2011 by avatar Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marc 147 Posted July 2, 2011 Report Share Posted July 2, 2011 I dunno why I just thought of this but I would have used this for an excuse to build myself an SBR and cut the barrel off just behind the gouge... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tStreets 1 Posted July 2, 2011 Report Share Posted July 2, 2011 I dunno why I just thought of this but I would have used this for an excuse to build myself an SBR and cut the barrel off just behind the gouge... I would... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ODGreenThumb 13 Posted July 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2011 Well today has brought good news. I was informed that the gunsmith found that the rifle's twist rate is out of spec. I believe they will be replacing, but not yet sure of the details. Just extremely happy they found the problem and this ordeal is coming to an end. I'll keep y'all updated. I'd like to thank everyone on the forums who contributed to this thread and for guiding me through the process. MUCH appreciated!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nailbomb 10,221 Posted July 5, 2011 Report Share Posted July 5, 2011 I want to see pics of the target when you get it back in. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dmac27 17 Posted July 5, 2011 Report Share Posted July 5, 2011 Well today has brought good news. I was informed that the gunsmith found that the rifle's twist rate is out of spec. I believe they will be replacing, but not yet sure of the details. Just extremely happy they found the problem and this ordeal is coming to an end. I'll keep y'all updated. I'd like to thank everyone on the forums who contributed to this thread and for guiding me through the process. MUCH appreciated!!!! That is good news OD...I wonder how that could happen unless it was a .223 barrel. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dudethebagman 222 Posted July 5, 2011 Report Share Posted July 5, 2011 That is good news OD...I wonder how that could happen unless it was a .223 barrel. Or maybe they use the same barrel blank for their 22lr? I have no idea, but that'd probably do it too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ODGreenThumb 13 Posted July 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2011 He told me the twist rate, lets just say its pretty far off. Will post more details once new rifle is inmy name :-) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ODGreenThumb 13 Posted July 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2011 (edited) More to come... thanks again all! Edited July 6, 2011 by ODGreenThumb Quote Link to post Share on other sites
amd6547 2 Posted July 6, 2011 Report Share Posted July 6, 2011 Haven't you heard? Saigas are now made by century.... I have to say, this thread gave me pause when I decided to buy a Saiga 5.45... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ODGreenThumb 13 Posted July 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2011 I want to see pics of the target when you get it back in. They told me they would test fire before shipping. I just think my situation was a random fluke. I haven't seen (upon hours and hours of google-fu) a case such as this. RAA said they've never had this problem. I believe it. I'm just glad they understand. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
U.S. Pratorean 1,234 Posted July 6, 2011 Report Share Posted July 6, 2011 (edited) Sorry to hear about the problems. After reading all these various posts about keyholing in everything I will chime in. The only reason a bullet will keyhole is because it has the wrong barrel on it, period. Not the crown, ammo, burrs or anything else. The wrong barrel has the wrong twist and the wrong bore diameter. I have 5.45 Veprs, Arsenals, S&W AR uppers and most recently a brand new '86 Tula krink with a virgin East German AK74 chrome lined barrel with a 8.3 inch barrel. None of the guns, including the krink do not keyhole at any distance with 53,60 and 70 grain ammo. Was worried most about the krink especially with the 70 gr. stuff. It has a 1:8 twist so there is one complete revolution before the projectile leaves the bore and groups 2.5-4.5 MOA. It shoots the 70 just fine just a tad lower. the wrong barrel was put on the gun, it happens. I hope they fix it. Edited July 6, 2011 by U.S Praetorian 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SergeK 15 Posted July 7, 2011 Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 Haven't you heard? Saigas are now made by century.... I have to say, this thread gave me pause when I decided to buy a Saiga 5.45... This is the only bad Saiga 5.45 I have heard of. I just fired mine for the first time yesterday and it was a dream. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ODGreenThumb 13 Posted July 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 Haven't you heard? Saigas are now made by century.... I have to say, this thread gave me pause when I decided to buy a Saiga 5.45... This is the only bad Saiga 5.45 I have heard of. I just fired mine for the first time yesterday and it was a dream. Same here. And for an update, the rifle NEW rifle is going to the gunsmith to be test fired. Was told they would be sending something next week if all goes well. I'm getting pretty antsy! It's like having to take a leak really, really, bad and the closer to the toilet you get the harder it becomes to hold in. haha Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chadweasel 2 Posted July 7, 2011 Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 My 5.45 is a H09 88 # also. Mine shoots like a dream. I hope your new gun does the same. Sorry to hear you went through all this. Hats off to the OP for keeping his cool. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OBITUARY 12 Posted July 7, 2011 Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 Sorry to hear about the problems I'm glad its being resolved .Been watching this thread! Hope they cherry pick the best one to send you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ODGreenThumb 13 Posted July 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2011 Thanks guys!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dmac27 17 Posted July 13, 2011 Report Share Posted July 13, 2011 Curious if you got your rifle back OD...and did they just send a new one or did they replace the barrel on yours so you would get your conversion parts back? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ODGreenThumb 13 Posted July 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2011 (edited) Nothing yet. Last week they told me they had the new replacement rifle and were going to take it to their smith to test fire, then send it this week. I hadn't heard anything back so I emailed them. They said a container of rifles is supposed to be coming in and they hope to get me taken care of this week. Will I get my rifle shipped this week Magic 8-Ball? "Uncertain, ask again later... like next week". I sure hope they send my parts back too, don't understand how they could keep them. Edited July 13, 2011 by ODGreenThumb 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mullet Man 2,114 Posted July 13, 2011 Report Share Posted July 13, 2011 (edited) I'm definitely watching too, since mine is also converted. I'll be testing mine some more myself, to see about the keyholing issue mines having. I cant see how, or why they can/could keep your conversion parts. Thanks for the continuous updates. Edited July 13, 2011 by Mullet Man Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mullet Man 2,114 Posted July 13, 2011 Report Share Posted July 13, 2011 Well took it out today and sorry to say, I think you are alone in this extreme keyholing venture. My keyholing issue was due to deflection off of a log. It has to do with how my target was mounted against my backstop and some rounds just barely deflecting off of said log. I was able to have my brother replicate it while i watched the POI. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ODGreenThumb 13 Posted July 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2011 Good news for you. I know saigas don't have this problem. I Just got facked. I just wish they'd say "okay, let's get him a new rifle so he quits emailing us. " glad your rifle is running well. Thanks for following. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mullet Man 2,114 Posted July 13, 2011 Report Share Posted July 13, 2011 I got some pics and vid of it that i'll get up, once my cam battery charges. They'll take care of it eventually. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mullet Man 2,114 Posted July 14, 2011 Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 (edited) This is what originally had me going on the keyholing issue..... You can see the lack of debris impacting the target unlike the following pic where it becomes almost more noticeable that it was deflected. This was today, trying to replicate it..... And video showing POI in action. (firing starts about 40seconds into it.)..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBzth5qO7LM Edited July 14, 2011 by Mullet Man Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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