223 semi carbine not cycling properly on reloaded ammo.....??

Yes, it didn't say anything in the original post about having a issue with new ammo. Are you letting the charging handle chamber the cartridge or are you assisting it by riding the charging handle by hand? You don't pull the charging handle all the way back and then slide it forward with your hand. Correct way is to pull it all the way back and then release it. Last yr when I was new at all this, I would ride the charging handle, thereby slowing it down , and taking away the force needed to chamber a rnd all the way, I would have to push it the last 1/8 of an inch.(SU16 by the way). Some one on here straightened me out on that.
 
I didn't read all the replies close so if I'm repeating sorry.

Did you give the chamber a good scrub? Also how does the brass look, any strange marks? Chamber imperfections will show up on the brass, Not scratches or dents but dimples or lines that have been ironed into the brass by the pressure. My first reaction is the sizer die though. Don't go buy a new set...order a small base sizer and use the Hornady seater.

You should be able to get it to feed with the regular die though so make sure you have it adjusted properly (as others have suggested).

***Just tried to find just a Small base die, might be a bit of a chore. If you can get the RCBS set for a decent price you may as well if you can spare the cash.***
 
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STOP RIDING THE BOLT HANDLE!
when you chamber a round, the first round, pull back the bolt and let it go forward under it's own force, get your hand away from the handle and let it slam home.
I thought it was your reloads at first but then you gave it away when you said it did it with factory ammo and you had to give the bolt a push on the first round to get it to chamber.

Scott
 
Also the AE ammo is probably a lot hotter than your hand loads ( if your hand loads are filled to min specs) , probably why AE cycles better.
 
m39a2 said:
STOP RIDING THE BOLT HANDLE!
when you chamber a round, the first round, pull back the bolt and let it go forward under it's own force, get your hand away from the handle and let it slam home.
I thought it was your reloads at first but then you gave it away when you said it did it with factory ammo and you had to give the bolt a push on the first round to get it to chamber.

Scott
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After I insert the mag I pull the bolt all the way back and let the bolt do its job....the bolt "will not" push the cartridge whether its new ammo or reloaded ammo into the chamber, at this point I have to push the bolt closed by hand that 1/8-1/4 inch. Then it will fire. But it will on cycle thru properly the next round on "new ammo" reloaded I get the same issue, the bolt will not close properly, it remains open that 1/8-1/4 inch
 
Brianma65 said:
Also the AE ammo is probably a lot hotter than your hand loads ( if your hand loads are filled to min specs) , probably why AE cycles better.
Click to expand...

My loads are probably in the middle of the road or a tad higher. I think I am going to try a new mag as well. Maybe its not picking it up properly, either way I need another mag anyway.
 
Brianma65 said:
Yes, it didn't say anything in the original post about having a issue with new ammo. Are you letting the charging handle chamber the cartridge or are you assisting it by riding the charging handle by hand? You don't pull the charging handle all the way back and then slide it forward with your hand. Correct way is to pull it all the way back and then release it. Last yr when I was new at all this, I would ride the charging handle, thereby slowing it down , and taking away the force needed to chamber a rnd all the way, I would have to push it the last 1/8 of an inch.(SU16 by the way). Some one on here straightened me out on that.
Click to expand...

Your right in the first post I did not mention that. I went out again after and re did the test and found that the new ammo was doing the same thing when initially chambering a new round....bolt wont close all the way. I will try again this morning with new ammo to make sure I was seeing things.

I am NOT riding the chamber handle, I am letting it do its job, I only assists after it fails to load the round properly. Then I give it the last push to close it....if I do not close it I still can pull the trigger and get the "click" just no bang.

I also just found out where I bought the rifle they he told me it is still under warranty and he will be getting back to me this morning as well to see what is what....I had a sks do this to me as well but I thought it was due to age. Mind you once I fired that first round I never had a problem cycling thru to the next. It was just the initial pull and release on the handle, it would not fully close the bolt without that last push.
 
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raysteel said:
Your right in the first post I did not mention that. I went out again after and re did the test and found that the new ammo was doing the same thing when initially chambering a new round....bolt wont close all the way. I will try again this morning with new ammo to make sure I was seeing things.

I am NOT riding the chamber handle, I am letting it do its job, I only assists after it fails to load the round properly. Then I give it the last push to close it....if I do not close it I still can pull the trigger and get the "click" just no bang.

I also just found out where I bought the rifle they he told me it is still under warranty and he will be getting back to me this morning as well to see what is what....I had a sks do this to me as well but I thought it was due to age. Mind you once I fired that first round I never had a problem cycling thru to the next. It was just the initial pull and release on the handle, it would not fully close the bolt without that last push.
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I'm guessing because the bolt is not closing all the way, the firing pin is not making contact with the primer. I remember when I had mine , irradiated something on the keltec forum about proper staking of the bolt , when reassembling after cleaning. Keltec has a lifetime warrant for original owners , but you have to deal with Vault distributors in BC. Keltec Owners Forum is an excellent site , for info on your rifle. Good luck
 
Does it only do this with a "full" magazine have you tried it with say just 2 rounds in your magazine. Too much up pressure on the rounds perhaps?
 
It's not a magazine problem. That has nothing to do with it.

What is the type/brand of your 'used semi-auto .223 carbine'? Mini-14? Benelli R1? Ar-15? ACR? FS2000? Tavor? KelTec SU-16? AR-180B?
 
canucklehead said:
It's not a magazine problem. That has nothing to do with it.

What is the type/brand of your 'used semi-auto .223 carbine'? Mini-14? Benelli R1? Ar-15? ACR? FS2000? Tavor? KelTec SU-16? AR-180B?
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OP bought a used Keltec SU16FX.

The OP said the first round fired and the second round did not seat fully on its own. So why is everyone jumping on the guy assuming he's riding the bolt when charging it?
 
Trinimon said:
Very first line of the initial post:

"Hey all, Im new to reloading and I just picked up this used 223 semi carbine."
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lol , sorry I missed that. We'll 2 options then, send it back to Vault on your own dime . Or see if original owner has receipt and get him to send it back for warranty.
 
PitBull1973 said:
I don't believe there is a problem with the rifle because you would have a problem for every round you try to put threw it. Have you tried factory ammo?
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Yes, store bought factory ammo has been tried. It seems to me for some reason the bolt/handle slows down to much trying to pick the round up. If I dont have any ammo in the bolt is smooth and quick. Once I load the mag it seems to "drag" the ammo into the chamber and doesnt have enough umf left to close the handle/bolt 100%.....Still trying different things
 
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