Pleased so far with Lehigh breechplug

cantremembermyid · 05-06-2010, 05:44 PM

I received the Lehigh breechplug (generation 2) for Knight Extreme, and so far, I am pleased.

I installed it in my Knight Long Range Hunter, using the Knight combo tool (9 inches). I did not have difficulty seating the breechplug with that tool, and I was able to open and close the bolt without difficulty. It might be a little harder to open and close the bolt with the Lehigh plug in comparison to the Knight NFP conversion, but the difference was not very discernible.

I fired several types of primers (no load in the barrel), and there was no difference in opening or closing the bolt with respect to the type of primer used. The bolt open and closed fine. I fired the following primers: CCI 209M; Federal 209A; Winchester 209; Remington STS; and Winchester T7 primers. All primers fired without any problem or delay. The primers fell out very easy when the bolt opening was rotated toward the ground.

The was no residue at all on the bolt face (where the primer and "cup" slip into the bolt) after firing the primers.

Obviously, I need to go the range to see how the plug and bolt work after firing several loads.

My ratchet did not work because the stem of the breechplug will not fit into the ratchet. I will need to go to the hardware store and see if I can find an extension that will accept the long stem.

I did notice that the ventliner was screwed in very tight. I was able to remove it, greased the ventliner (as is done with Savage ventliner), and reinstalled it. The removable ventliner is an excellent idea, not just because it extends the life of the breechplug, but it is much, much easier to clean carbon the inside of the breechplug after you remove the ventliner.

Initial checks indicate that Lehigh has put out a very good product, and the testers have led Lehigh in the right direction. Thank you to Lehigh Dave and the testers.

Grouse45 · 05-07-2010, 04:49 AM

cantremembermyid

Glad to hear you are happy with your plug.

Gm54-120 · 05-07-2010, 05:47 AM

I test fired a variety of primers in my Elite 45 and all but one was acceptable to me. That primer has never been good in any gun so its not a surprise.

In mine the Win209 and even the WinT7 are virtually spotless. Fed209As are a close second. The breach and bolt face were as clean as possible IMO and probably would have been perfect if i only used the longest primers in my primer test.

The same plug in my Extreme 50 is a bit tight but within reason and also very clean.

Mine really shines in the Elite 45 though and im very pleased since i use 45s much more at the range and for fun shooting. Plus mine works best with the 3 primers i prefer.

All primers extracted and fell out with ease after firing. Much better than the Gen I performed in the Elite 45. The Gen I though did work well in my GMB54.

I will be buying another Gen II for the Extreme 50 and see if i can get just a Gen II NFPJ adapter for the GMB54. If not i will still buy the complete conversion....IMO its that good.

Im hoping this weekend i can really test it and compare my Elite 45 to my Acurra 45.

sabotloader · 05-07-2010, 05:59 AM

cantremembermyid

For myself, i have found that using a 1/4" Ratchet, a longer extension, and a 7/16" deep socket. This works very well for all of my ML's, except I have to switch sockets on the Whites...

Gm54-120 · 05-07-2010, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabotloader

cantremembermyid

For myself, i have found that using a 1/4" Ratchet, a longer extension, and a 7/16" deep socket. This works very well for all of my ML's, except I have to switch sockets on the Whites...

That is exactly what i had to use with the Gen I and its been in the tools i keep in the tool bag ever since. Added 2 Allen wrenches and a 13mm socket and that mostly covers all i must have.

Edit
Added Pics of a sample of the Win209s, Fed209As and WinT7s. All 3 are close enough to not make a huge difference in cleaning and cover all of my needs.

Elite 45 1xxx serial range

Gm54-120 · 05-08-2010, 06:42 AM

The weather is a fantastic 50F (for groups) now with a high of 59F expected. It is a bit windy but its in a valley surrounded by trees. I strongly prefer to test sabots in the 50-60F range.

Im heading out now to the local pay range to test the Lehigh NFPJ in the Elite 45 (only) and compare the Elite 45 to the Acurra 45 head to head.

Both are tack drivers and i love them both.

Its a bit windy so im not sure yet how far out i can go. The 200yard looks like a helluva challenge today but the 50 yard and 100 yard should give me a good idea how they compare.

Bullets on the list
200gr SST...probably one of the most common ML bullets and shoot very well in mine.
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Xtreme bullets 200gr plated RNFP...since i cant find any 200gr XTPs but they should be similar in flight. Plus weight/size variations are perfect.
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Xtreme bullets 220gr plated RNFP...my personal favorite paper puncher and should mimic the heavy Hawk JHPs.
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180gr XTP...I think its safe to say many 45 owners use this one a lot.
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165gr Montana Gold 165gr JHP...just a fun bullet and super cheap
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Various conicals including the monster PR Ultimate 360gr and 300 PB
Plats...with my Alox/moly wads or fiber wads on the flat based conicals.
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Lehigh 40-185g DOA...most accurate bullets ive tried in mine.
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Redline .401 220gr and Meister .401 (resized) 260gr cast RNFPs
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A couple of 45x357s that actually shoot ok including the 147gr XTP BTHP. Some day i want to devote to the 45x357s for fun.
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PR QT 250gr lead BT tipped...one of the best SD and BC bullets ive tried
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Barnes 10mm 155gr TAC-XP...dont laugh these are far more deadly than they appear. Deadly accurate too.
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Barnes 175gr MZ...a gift from another member...Thanks Saxman.

Sabots include Harvester Smooth and CR, MMP Tan and the Old Knight 45x40 brown. Ive never tried the CR in mine since the others fit fine.

The only primers im going to test are both of the Wins and Feds then i may try the Rem STSs too.

Im just going to stick with sub 100gr charges of BH209 and T7 3FG if possible. The Lehighs might need a bit more. 80-90-100gr charges should do it for the majority.

Have a great day everyone, a report will follow no later than Sunday nite since i may have to finish my tests then.

Let the pain begin.

Gm54-120 · 05-08-2010, 01:32 PM

I think its safe to say it works great in my 45 Elite. Not even a single primer was hard to extract and all just fell out of the NFPJ adapter.

What worked best for me?

Hint.

A small sample including some firing 100gr of BH209 and 300gr PBs. Not even the slightest hangfire with WinT7s with the very easy loading Powerbelt Plat 300.

The PR Ultimate 45 360gr is truly an amazing conical with my moly mix and a felt wad. Its low but the Elite is sighted in for 185grXTPs w/90gr of BH209.

6 180gr XTPs at 100yards.

Seems my Elite doesnt know that the GreatPlains 285gr HBHP is supposed to be inaccurate according to some reviews.

I shot a round or two with 3 different primers and then finished off the day using only WinT7s. Isnt this primer NOT supposed to ignite BH209 very well. I did not get a single hangfire even on a plug with zero cleaning and over 30 shots. It even shot some of the tightest groups with very loose bullet/sabot combos.

Such as this PowerBelt Plat 300gr that goes down with 1 finger pressure.

Houston we have a winner.

Semisane · 05-08-2010, 01:37 PM

All I can say is, DANG!

Gm54-120 · 05-08-2010, 02:48 PM

A few more pics are here including some of my heavy 40s. Most are sub MOA at 100 yards.

http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...y/Range050810/

It gets even better too. I havent uploaded the icing pic yet with 4 180gr XTPs.