Bergara B14 HMR wont close bolt

J

JJ1979

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I've had a Bergara HMR B14 in 6.5 CM for two years. Have shot mostly reloads and target ammo through it. Bolt has always been snug even when empty. Now reloads wont allow chamber to close and factory closes TIGHT. Brass checks out to SAMMI spec and even when fully resized with the die fully down (tried several dies with no change) the bolt wont close (empty brass).
I have recently started to anneal the brass and was wondering about spring back.
I am also wondering about build up along the lug recess?
Any help would be appraciated
 
First thing I would do it loosen the bedding screws and see if the bolt is still snug to close. Next would be to remove the scope bases and see if this could be the problem.
 
Assume you have already tried cleaning the action and chamber VERY WELL... use a flash light.

Check if the ejector can be pushed and be flush with the bolt face? It should move freely and smoothly... and be FLUSH with the bolt face.

Jerry
 
I had the same issues with my savage stealth, try new brass and see if it chambers
In my case there was something wonky with my hornady brass causing it to not chamber, it didn't matter what I did to them they just wouldn't work
I tried brand new brass and it chambered fine so tossed the ones that didn't work
 
Thanks for the info everyone. Much appreciated. Ejector is now clear (took bolt apart it was moving but seemed stiff and cleaning the inner parts of the bolt made it less stiff with factory but reloaded cases still wouldnt close) and no screws are in the way. Spoke to a friend who has been shooting and reloading 50 odd years. He saw a similar issues with a .243 ackley improved years ago. Ended up screwing the die in an additional 1/2 turn to "firmly bump" the shoulders back.
I had a few dozen cases out of spec as I wasnt sizing enough. Now ALL are in spec.
Seems I have more to learn.
Thanks again everyone!
 
JJ1979 said:
I had a few dozen cases out of spec as I wasn't sizing enough. Now ALL are in spec.
Seems I have more to learn.
Thanks again everyone!
Click to expand...

If you have some spent pistol brass (357/40ish) you can adjust your die by using a caliper and the spent case to measure how much you are bumping the shoulder. You won't get measurements to spec., but you can compare your sized brass to a factory cartridge and set up your die with that as a starting point. I generally set the die up to really only size the neck, and partially resize the rest. I start by turning the die out till it no longer bumps the shoulder, then turn it back till it just gives the shoulder a firm kiss (obviously this only works if you are reloading that cartridge for only one gun). You could also get the proper tools, Bushing Bump Die and a comparator set and do it right...
 
Watch the case lube you are using.. some new gen lubes... don't

to get a very precise fit in my rifles, I will bump each case 2 or 3 times with a 90deg rotation in between. I am mucking with a semi so ensuring proper chambering is a must and this does the job well.

glad you have solved the issue. enjoy the rifle.

Jerry
 
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