.303 reloading problem + question

Tomochan

Tomochan

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I made up a batch of .303 handloads using Hornaday 174 FMJ and followed the RCBS data wrt trim length and the Hornaday data wrt COAL. I had full-length resized. At the range the bolt would not close on the 1955 No4 Mk 2 I have nor would the bolt close on my buddies No4 Mk 1*. Fearing that I had screwed up, I re-measured and confirmed that I had not done so. I went back to the range with another Enfield, a 1942 Longbranch, and I found all the cartridges in question chambered perfectly and fired as per usual. So, do I have a re-loading problem or is it possible that the 1955 Mk 2 and buddies No4 Mk I have tight chambers. Any advice would be appreciated, meanwhile I will stick to neck sizing which appears to work fine in all rifles.
 
check reload manuals will give you standard dimentions . check your reloads with caliper. you might have too thread die in press deeper . this will bump shoulder back .all chambers on guns differ. once shot it fire forms the brass . if reloads shot in different guns needs too be full length resized and trimed for length .
 
I have had a similar thing happen with 303 and other calibers. In my case I had adjusted the seating die down too far and was bulging the necks of the cases just ever so slightly.

The resulting loads would fit fine into one of my guns but not the other. Carefully measuring the necks of cases that fit into both and comparing to the necks of the problem cases pointed out the problem. I just used up those rounds in the gun that had the roomier neck and was more careful with the seating die the next time.

May not be your issue, but may be worth a look.

Good luck with that, Cman
 
Easy enough to bulge the shoulders when crimping. Try backing off your seating die a bit.
Tight chambers in issue Lee Enfields? Extremely unlikely.
 
I would suggest resizing some brass and without going any further try chambering them.
If they still will not chamber then it is probably a resizing issue.

If they do chamber then probably as mentioned above you are probably seating the bullets too deep & bulging cases. You can confirm this but making up some rounds with the bullets seated ( I suggest no primer or powder ) and try chambering them.
 
commonman said:
I have had a similar thing happen with 303 and other calibers. In my case I had adjusted the seating die down too far and was bulging the necks of the cases just ever so slightly.

The resulting loads would fit fine into one of my guns but not the other. Carefully measuring the necks of cases that fit into both and comparing to the necks of the problem cases pointed out the problem. I just used up those rounds in the gun that had the roomier neck and was more careful with the seating die the next time.

May not be your issue, but may be worth a look.

Good luck with that, Cman
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I've done this exact thing. I've a feeling this sort of thing may be your problem. A fine excuse to have several LE's on hand and just shoot your reloads in one that they fit in until you fine-tune your sizing!
 
Simple test. Take a sized case with nothing in it and drop it into the chamber of your reluctant Lee's. Does the case fall all the way to the rim?

You can repeat with a dummy rd with a seated bullet.

if it does, there is nothing wrong with your sizing but has everything to do with the headspace of your rifles.

Look at the number on the bolt head and get a smaller number. They go from 0 to 4. It was quite common for longer (higher bolt number) bolts to be put in for fear of too generous a headspace.

Another solution is to try another brand of brass. The thickness of the rims varies enough that you might be able to use another brand as is.

Good luck.

Jerry

PS if you are looking for reloading components, I can help you with some really nice FMJ and BTHP bullets at decent pricing.
 
Headspace the rifle first. Unless the 1955 rifle has been messed with, it is the one most likely to be bang on correct HS.

HS gauges are a must have with No4s. Or at least access to a set. The ease of changing bolt heads and therefore HS also makes it easy for people to mess it up.
 
Also, check where the markings on the brass are. You can usually tell where in the chamber the brass is encountering resistance just by the markings, then go from there.

I had problems with some brass in my Lee Enfield No 4 that was rubbing on the chamber about a quarter inch above the rim, it was too fat. I tighened the die down another turn on the next batch and the problem dissapeared. Some Enfield chambers are weird like that.
 
Tomochan said:
Thanks for the help guys - 'preciate it !

Jerry - I'll give you a shout the next time I am looking for some .303 fmj 'kay

Cheers,

Bob.
Click to expand...

Look forward to your order.

Forgot to mention that if headspace is the culprit AND you are planning on using this brand of brass, you can increase headspace but sanding the bolt head face till it chambers on the brass.

The bolt face is flat and easy enough to remove a thou or two or whatever it needs to chamber on THAT brass.

Down side will be if you use thin rimmed brass in the future, your headspace will be on the generous side.

The headspace on the Lee or any 303 Brit or rimmed case for that matter is determined by the thickness of the rim NOT the location of the case shoulder.

Jerry
 
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