6.5x 55 Swede Head Space Gauges *** Updated with Pics

[7.62mm]

Anyone have a set that I could borrow, I will pay shipping both ways, and include a Christmas Bonus

Here is why! From left to right, first, second, and third shot. All three have the same powder charge, weighed individually, 33.6 IMR 4064, 0.1 over min., full length, re-sized brass, same COL etc.. The second shot, was a little tight to get the bolt open, third shot, was very difficult to lift the bolt, and the primer came unseated, it won't even stay in place if you set it in by hand. Any other ideas?

Thanks!

 

[thebuckhunter]

If it was a headspace issue, all 3 would/should be identical. How is the chamber (is it dirty from powder residue etc..)? Check after each shot. From your description, it gets progressively harder to remove the casing. How are any subsequent shots (4, 5, and so on)?

-Jason

 

[7.62mm]

If it was a headspace issue, all 3 would/should be identical. How is the chamber? From your description, it gets progressively harder to remove the casing. How are any subsequent shots (4, 5, and so on)?

-Jason

I didn't go any further! Had 20 loaded up, and decided not to shoot the rest. what should I be looking for in regards to the chamber? This is in a M 96, 1901

 

[thebuckhunter]

Look for a progressively "dirtier" chamber. If it's getting dirtier, the case isn't expanding enough to give a proper "seal". That would be an indication of a headspace issue or incorrect load.

-Jason

EDIT: I don't have my reloading manuals around. They are on loan to a buddy.

-J

 

[Snow Dog]

I would suspect the brass before the chamber. Those are Bell cases and it is not top of the line stuff from all accounts. How many times has it been loaded? Have you tried any factory ammo recently and, if so, did the same problem occur then as well? If you have some better brass (Norma, Lapus or something from the big US factories) try loading the same receipe and see if the problem still happens.

 

[7.62mm]

These were the only three shots I have fired out of it. Bought it at a gunshow a few weeks ago!

I have some Rem brass that I have from a previous rifle, I will give that a go, if everyone can agree that I am not going to lose digits or eyes.....I always wear eye and hearing protection, was just worried that I am getting a little to deep here, and may have bought a dud, or unsafe rifle.

Thanks for your help! A fair newbie to the reloading scene, just don't want to get hurt.

 

[Pathfinder]

What bullet and weight are you shooting ? Did you record the c.o.a.l ? excessive headspace would would stretch your brass more than normally, measure against an unfired and report .

I would also fire a factory cartridge and compare.

Signs look like pure High pressure, could your scale be out of wack ?

 

[7.62mm]

What bullet and weight are you shooting ?

140 gr. Hornady Interlocks

Did you record the c.o.a.l ?

Yep, checked each loaded cartridge. Don't have a comparator, but they seemed like they were within acceptable limits.

excessive headspace would stretch your brass more than normally, measure against an unfired and report .

I will pull a bullet and compare to a fired case, good tip, thanks

I would also fire a factory cartridge and compare.

I have some factory, but of course I didn't bring it to the range with me!

Signs look like pure High pressure, could your scale be out of wack ?

I am a little paranoid about reloading as of yet, I checked the weights with my balance beam scale, as well as a new pocket electronic scale! I will certainly try to determine if they are both out!

Thanks for the ideas!

 

[H Wally]

You trimmed the cases down enough? I've seen that as an issue in a mauser before... of course it would make it harder to chamber than extract, but still.

 

[TwoTone]

This rifle is new to you.

Is it possible that the bore is very rough and is filling up with copper. Each shot making things worse?

 

[blargon]

Hodgdon lists the 6.5x55 with 4064 at 35gr minimum and 38gr max.

 

[Onagoth]

Hodgdon lists the 6.5x55 with 4064 at 35gr minimum and 38gr max.

Lymans 49th has it at 33.5 gr.

 

[H4831]

I think Buckhunter is right onto it, but maybe this is the cause. Instead of the chamber getting dirtier, how about he didn't clean the lube off of the sized case, and every shot has more lube, to allow it to put more pressure on the bolt.
However, The great amount of excess pressure in the third shot, sort of shoots our theory!
Even with a lubed case, I don't think the pressure would increas on the case.
Mystery.
But I don't see how headspace would have anything to do with it.

 

[cosmic]

Well - Lets see:
1) Min charge, not fireforming cases...
2) Bell brass (?). The stuff I had had very thick necks - to the point where reloads with Hornady's wouldnt easily chamber in the rifle due to neck interference. Measured the original Bell bullets, and they were several thou under .264 !
3) Overzealous use of the sizing die?

 

[7.62mm]

Well - Lets see:
1) Min charge, not fireforming cases...

Lyman 48 has 33.5 as Min., Lee has it at 33.3. I had 33.6. I am going to pull the rest apart today, to see if something went awry.

2) Bell brass (?). The stuff I had had very thick necks - to the point where reloads with Hornady's wouldnt easily chamber in the rifle due to neck interference. Measured the original Bell bullets, and they were several thou under .264 !

The loaded cartridges loaded easily, and no problems with seating the bullets. I am going to dump the rest of the Bell brass that I have, and move on to a bunch of Rem brass that I have

3) Overzealous use of the sizing die?

Is this even possible, never heard of over resizing! I adjust the die until it touches the shell holder and give it an 1/8 twist more!

 

[7.62mm]

I guess it is generally accepted that this is not a Headspace issue. I am going to pull the bullets, and try to salvage the powder to reweigh it.

Thanks for all the responses so far.

 

[cosmic]

Well - The 6.5 is a relatively low pressure round - you're not the only one to have incomplete fireforming at min load. The telltale sign is a ring of soot around the neck and shoulder of the case. This can appear to be excessive headspace as the primers will protrude and squish slightly.
Your die is presumably new, so it may have a tolerance issue - you wouldnt be the first. A lot of folk will "partially resize" with their fL dies. The die is screwed down incrementally to find the point where the case just chambers with slight bolt tension. Add another 1/8 turn, and your good to go. This is desireable from the case longevity perspective, and should give the potential for better accuracy. In your case, if you do some fancy metrology, you can find out how far away you are from your standard FL sizing.

 

[fwm]

This maybe dumb, but have you checked the bore after firing just to make sure there isn't some sort of obstruction from the first round?

 

[7.62mm]

Nope, there was nothing in the bore.

Just finished pulling the bullets, of the 17 remaining cartridges, 14 were 33.6 gr, 1 was 33.7 gr. and 2 were 33.5 gr.. So, I think it is safe to say that the three I fired were similar.

If we go with the theory that I am loading below the min. limit required, how much of a jump up should I go? The Hodgdon Website gives a Min. starting load of 35 gr., Lyman is 33.5 and Lee is 33.3. Should I just go with what Hodgdon states, and hope for the best?

Here is another pic of the brass, from left to right, I guess the one on the right with the blown primer does have more sooting on the neck than the rest:

 

[cosmic]

Well - Sooting doesnt look too bad.... What is the pedigree of the brass - did you but it new? If not - did you trim the cases? The mouth of the case on the right looks irregular ie not square...