7mm Rem Mag: Tight Bolt Lock-Up

76r

76r

CGN Regular
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Location
NW Alberta
I have been relaoading this caliber for years with no problems ever encountered. With the last batch of reloads I encountered a cartridge that 'chambered fine' but the bolt was stiff rotating closed. I checked the casing; no apparent problem. I checked the chamber real good with good light and swab; good and clean, no obstruction.
I then checked the casing again with a mic and found that just above the belt, the casing was bulged/ridged slightly as if extra material had been forced to build up there in the resizing process. :redface:
There are 18 out of the batch of 50 that are affected (?).
I'm not sure what to attribute it to (?). (overlubed,etc.)
As I mentioned earlier, although I have been reloading for years I have never had 'bad experiences' to build trouble shooting skills.
Any ideas?
 
Are you loading it on the hot side? I've seen this with my 300WM and my 257WBY. Some cases heads are softer than others and would chamber with more difficulty after something like 3-4 firings. When the primer pocket become loose, the brass goes somewhere wher it is not resized...
 
Were the cases fired in the same gun since they were new? How many times have they been fired? How are you sizing them? FL die? Is the case holder going hard against the die when you FL size?
 
I discard ALL of my casings after the 4th relaod regardless of caliber or load. (I keep them all marked).This was the 3rd reload.
I am reloading on the lean side for these as they were my target shooting (vs. hunting) rounds.
I polish them after each firing.
I full length resize them.
I trim to exact OAL specs each time.
I (RCBS) die is set for the correct stroke (down tight to the shell holder ).
The casings have only been with this one Rem 700 BDL (they don't seep around :D).
I clean the dies periodically.
It was a while before I used them, so I can't say for sure what the die was like as I don't remember. (Too much lead absorption over the years :D).
I don't know what else too add. :confused::confused::confused:
 
Qc_BearHunter said:
Seems that you got a softer batch of brass.... what brand?
Click to expand...

Federal. It's funny that only some of them had this issue?
But perhaps that is it, because I have loaded more recent batches that show no signs of 'sluffing'.
They must have been made by 'the new guy' on the line that day! :D
Oh well, I'll just pull the bullets and crush the cases.
Or use them as 300m targets! :bsFlag: :D
 
I measure my brass in this spot after resizing and if its over the
the Hornady book max size I discard them . Lee makes a die
with a collar that will help with this problem and save your
Brass for a few more loadings
 
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