Weatherby SA-09

[CJJohn]

I've had a Weatherby SA08 for a few years and it has always been picky on ammo. I've pretty much replaced it for hunting with either a Pump or a 1301 Comp 21.
Now I am basically making it a project and trying to get it to run low brass / weaker ammo and I am looking for feedback. I know when just running hotter ammo it is reliable, the problem is hotter ammo is not always available.
The last time I cleaned it I noticed one of the gas ports was not completely drilled out, so I fixed that, and it's better, but still not 100%.
I'm at a crossroads, should I drill / ream to the next size up on the ports, or should I cut a coil off the recoil spring? I know the bore is chrome lined, and the hazards of "drilling" that. The potential for breaking a bit is high so I would need to buy reamers for this work.
The gun is several years old, but still has some life in it and I'd like to be able to hand it to a new shooter and know it works.
So what say those familiar with this problem? Any solutions to offer? Other than always buying hotter ammo?

[H8Mud]

Which gas valve are you using?

[BOBGBA]

The first thing I'd do is give Weatherby a call, tell them the history and they might take care of it for you.
I wouldn't mention that you fixed the gas port.

[CJJohn]

Which gas valve are you using?

Light. I've tried heavy with the same, or worse results. It's definitely under-gassed IMHO.

[CJJohn]

The first thing I'd do is give Weatherby a call, tell them the history and they might take care of it for you.
I wouldn't mention that you fixed the gas port.

It is LOOOONG out of warranty. In fact when I bought it there was a recall and I took it to Weatherby in Paso Robles.

I'm on my own with this one.

[BOBGBA]

I'd still give it a try, at worst you waste a little time on the phone.

Some manufacturers will repair it even though it's out of warranty.
Even more so for a firearm that's had a history of problems, including a recall.
They may not want the liability....

[BOBGBA]

Is the chamber clean and have you've tried wrapping a bore brush with steel wool, chucking it in a drill and polishing the chamber?

Is the problem failure to eject or failure to feed?
You've tried multiple brands of ammo?

From what I've seen, Winchester Universal shells (the 4 packs from Walmart) would get stuck in the chambers of pumps and O/Us, nut sure about semi-autos.

[CJJohn]

Is the chamber clean and have you've tried wrapping a bore brush with steel wool, chucking it in a drill and polishing the chamber?

Is the problem failure to eject or failure to feed?
You've tried multiple brands of ammo?

From what I've seen, Winchester Universal shells (the 4 packs from Walmart) would get stuck in the chambers of pumps and O/Us, nut sure about semi-autos.

Yes, chamber is polished, many different brands of ammo tested. Stovepipe after firing, although hotter / faster ammo is never a problem. The gun runs like a Timex with hot ammo. I know the typical response is run hotter ammo, that's not always available though.
I guess my Beretta spoiled me, it runs anything. I hate unreliable weapons, and this Weatherby SA08 is not reliable due to being ammo picky.

I'm just trying to resolve what I am almost certain is an undergassed gun.
If I enlarge the gas ports, or cut the recoil spring and get 3-4 more years out of it, it's a win to me. One thing I've learned over the years, Turkish made semi auto shotguns are a crap shoot.....


ETA: IMHO the gun has more than paid for itself. But I want it to run.

[mausercat]

I have a Remington 1100 Sport in .410 that would not cycle with 2 1/2 shells. I slightly enlarged the gas holes on the barrel and it solved the problem of cycling 2 1/2 loads.

BTW my 28 gauge SA-8 works great. I did not have to do anything to it.

I also have a Mossberg SA-20 that works very well. I have used it to train my nephews and my wife uses it also.

I do agree that Turkish guns are hit and miss. I think that I have been lucky with mine. I know of others who have had some problems.

[CJJohn]

I have a Remington 1100 Sport in .410 that would not cycle with 2 1/2 shells. I slightly enlarged the gas holes on the barrel and it solved the problem of cycling 2 1/2 loads.

BTW my 28 gauge SA-8 works great. I did not have to do anything to it.

I also have a Mossberg SA-20 that works very well. I have used it to train my nephews and my wife uses it also.

I do agree that Turkish guns are hit and miss. I think that I have been lucky with mine. I know of others who have had some problems.

[BOBGBA]

OP - Is it a 12 or 20 gauge?

[CJJohn]

OP - Is it a 12 or 20 gauge?

It is a 12 gauge.

[BOBGBA]

I took a look at the Weatherby website, and no where does it mention that hot loads are required, but apparently, they are.

The manual talks about light load and heavy load pistons, but has no specification difference on the ammo requirement for each piston.

I'm not sure what your manual says, but the current manual says the minimum requirement is a 1300 FPS 1 1/8 (12 gauge) or 7/8 (20 gauge).

Does that mean 1300 FPS 1 1/8 are light loads? No one thinks that is a light load.

If it's buried in the manual, how are you supposed to know all this before you buy it. What a load of crap. I'd be pissed if the sales person didn't tell me this first.

Thanks for asking the initial question, I'm glad I learned this.

I've thought of getting these for our RMEF fundraiser over the past few years, but now I know to stay away from them.

[CJJohn]

I took a look at the Weatherby website, and no where does it mention that hot loads are required, but apparently, they are.

The manual talks about light load and heavy load pistons, but has no specification difference on the ammo requirement for each piston.

I'm not sure what your manual says, but the current manual says the minimum requirement is a 1300 FPS 1 1/8 (12 gauge) or 7/8 (20 gauge).

Does that mean 1300 FPS 1 1/8 are light loads? No one thinks that is a light load.

If it's buried in the manual, how are you supposed to know all this before you buy it. What a load of crap. I'd be pissed if the sales person didn't tell me this first.

Thanks for asking the initial question, I'm glad I learned this.

I've thought of getting these for our RMEF fundraiser over the past few years, but now I know to stay away from them.

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It is buried in the manual. And to be fair, the gun runs 100% with anything over 1300 fps. I've got a lot of use out of this gun, so I'm not pissed really, just frustrated. I have seen a lot of people saying how great they are at running anything. Mine doesn't. But it's fixing to! I'm sure it will be over gassed for heavy loads, but it will rarely, if ever, see a "heavy" load. I like to tinker, so I'm going to see what happens. I've decided reaming the gas ports is they way to go.

[BOBGBA]

Looking forward to your successful range report!

Hope you can include pictures of the reamers and the ports.