Federal cases seem to stretch a lot more than most commercial cases, after one firing everyone needed trimming. Make sure the case is resized properly, resize and make sure the case will chamber in your rifle BEFORE you do anything else. Try some 150gr FMJ bullets, they tend to feed pretty smoothly, the 110's may be too stubby.
Kel Tec RFB And Reloaded Ammo Doesnt Look Promising
- Thread starter mildcustom2
- Start date
In many case where semi auto rifles are having trouble with reloads, small base resizing dies often solve that problem. It often has to do with the type of firearm and chamber dimensions of your rifle. When I reloaded for my Mini-14 and AR-15 I used small based dies as the rounds that worked fine in my bolt guns would sometimes cause problems in those semi's. Phil.
mildcustom2
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Just an update for everyone. I took my RFB out and ran. 50 rounds of various reloads through my RFB. It worked flawlessly even though my reloads were sized in a plain old full length resizing die. Seems the biggest thing is to not pussy foot it when clambering a round and pull the charging handle back slow and release it slow.
I will however be small base resizing for now to avoid any future issues.
Thanx to,everyone for the help and suggestions.
I will however be small base resizing for now to avoid any future issues.
Thanx to,everyone for the help and suggestions.
Good to hear but why would you run the charging handle slowly? That is silly, always pull fully rearward and then let it go or insert mag with bolt open and press the bolt release. The only time I ever ease the bolt closed is on an empty chamber.
If it works with a regular die then why bother with the small base?
mildcustom2
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- Location
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Rather than buying more dies and gauges. Why not check your reloads against SAAMI specs as well as factory brass. You should have a good digital or analog (as long as you know how to use it properly) set of calipers. Once you compare all your measurements you will find the culprit and can fix the issue without spending a bunch of cash needlessly.
At least that is the path I would take first before buying stuff.
At least that is the path I would take first before buying stuff.
Easing the bolt forward isn't babying it, it's loading your rifle in an incorrect manner. What do you think it does when it cycles while firing? You can't hurt it by letting it slam closed on a cartridge. That's how it's been designed to operate.
Even a $10000 semi auto rifle should be loaded the same way. Pull back and let it go.
I've never used a small base resizer and I've loaded for numerous semi auto rifles. I wouldn't waste my money on something you don't need. If you have tried all other routes and still can't get it to work because the brass it too tight then by all means buy the small base sizer. Keep in mind the more you work your brass the less reloadings you will get before it needs to be replaced.
If you really want to baby your rifle then don't run reloads though it. Most manufacturers will void your warranty if you handload for it.
Even a $10000 semi auto rifle should be loaded the same way. Pull back and let it go.
I've never used a small base resizer and I've loaded for numerous semi auto rifles. I wouldn't waste my money on something you don't need. If you have tried all other routes and still can't get it to work because the brass it too tight then by all means buy the small base sizer. Keep in mind the more you work your brass the less reloadings you will get before it needs to be replaced.
If you really want to baby your rifle then don't run reloads though it. Most manufacturers will void your warranty if you handload for it.
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The ass doesn't need to fit as it sticks out of the chamber in the RFB. Small base resizing isn't necessary.
You must resize the case body and bump the shoulder, though, if you neck-size only you will get a round stuck in the chamber at some point. Very, very stuck, don't ask me how I know...
My proven method is either to use a Lee full-length resizing die, or, for less run-out and less work-hardening of the neck, I use a Redding body-type die and then a Lee collet die.
Never had a feeding problem in the RFB and I mostly load to a longer 2.823" OAL, which is magazine length.
Sometimes loading issues are caused by the mags.
After dealing with tight spots and sharp corners on the mag itself, and you can push rounds smoothly out with your thumb, assemble the rifle without the top cover and without the bolt carrier and stick a loaded mag in. See how the rounds feed, with your thumb again. You can use then "finesse" tools such as a hammer, a 2x4 and a pair of pliers with electrical tape around the jaws to bend lips a little bit at a time, until they chamber easily.
You must resize the case body and bump the shoulder, though, if you neck-size only you will get a round stuck in the chamber at some point. Very, very stuck, don't ask me how I know...
My proven method is either to use a Lee full-length resizing die, or, for less run-out and less work-hardening of the neck, I use a Redding body-type die and then a Lee collet die.
Never had a feeding problem in the RFB and I mostly load to a longer 2.823" OAL, which is magazine length.
Sometimes loading issues are caused by the mags.
After dealing with tight spots and sharp corners on the mag itself, and you can push rounds smoothly out with your thumb, assemble the rifle without the top cover and without the bolt carrier and stick a loaded mag in. See how the rounds feed, with your thumb again. You can use then "finesse" tools such as a hammer, a 2x4 and a pair of pliers with electrical tape around the jaws to bend lips a little bit at a time, until they chamber easily.
boss351cleveland
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- Down by the river
Full length LEE dies are great , they size very close to the case head , never had problems with any reloads with semi autos ..just make sure your die is screwed in enough, at least a full turn after it bottoms out on the shell holder. the shoulder of the case could not be set back enough? if factory ammo works and your reloads don't , you reloads must be out of spec ..
A full turn? That seems excessive. Can you even stroke the press fully when you do that?
Follow the instructions that came with the dies. You should feel the ram bottom out and the press arm "cam over" at the end of the stroke. That is all you should need.
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