Neck Sizing Question

K

kasper.

Member
Rating - 100%
11   0   0
Location
Alberta
I've been reloading 7mm-08 for a bit here, about 120 rds fired, and I've got a bit of a concern which is probably nothing. I figure making sure is the best plan of attack haha. These 120 rds were full sized.

I got a neck sizing die and I notice that my latest 60 loads are really snug. This is once fired factory ammo brass. It requires extra push to close the bolt as compared to the smooth close on factory ammo. The brass was fired well under published maximums with no pressure signs whatsoever. Is this just a given with neck-sized brass that it will fit really tight? I know that its fire-formed now and just neck sized but I didn't think it would be this tight now.

Just making me nervous to shoot them, anything to worry about?
 
Just to make sure, the brass was fired in the same gun? The brass is not too long? I normally notice slightly more effort to close the bolt with neck sized brass, and the effort usually increases slightly with each successive firing. When the brass gets more difficult to chamber than I like, I bump back the shoulder.
 
Sorry you're right that is a relevant point.

No, all rounds were fired in a Rem 700, and I just got a new T3 Lite. I guess its a tolerance issue then.

Would you feel comfortable firing them or do I need to pull all these bullets and full length these to refireform? I wonder if I should save all the powder seeing as they are all Varget in that case.

I didn't even think of that...foolish.
 
No, all rounds were fired in a Rem 700, and I just got a new T3 Lite.
Click to expand...

There is your problem.

Would you feel comfortable firing them or do I need to pull all these bullets and full length these to refireform? I wonder if I should save all the powder seeing as they are all Varget in that case.
Click to expand...

If these loads were worked up for your previous gun, I would FL size some more brass, and work up loads starting with a few grains less. If you reach the same loads that you already have loaded, with no pressure signs, and you can close the bolt fully with reasonable effort, I would shoot the rounds that you already have loaded. I don't see the point of pulling bullets until you determine if the load is safe in your gun.

The other option is that if the load is safe, but it takes too much effort to close the bolt, you can get a Redding body die to FL size the loaded rounds.
 
stubblejumper said:
There is your problem.



If these loads were worked up for your previous gun, I would FL size some more brass, and work up loads starting with a few grains less. If you reach the same loads that you already have loaded, with no pressure signs, and you can close the bolt fully with reasonable effort, I would shoot the rounds that you already have loaded. I don't see the point of pulling bullets until you determine if the load is safe in your gun.

The other option is that if the load is safe, but it takes too much effort to close the bolt, you can get a Redding body die to FL size the loaded rounds.
Click to expand...

Well I'm certain the loads are safe, they are right off the starting loads. So I should be alright to fire the lowest and keep an eye out then eh? I'll have to swing by bass pro tonight and look for that redding die, that'd be the smootest solution.

Thanks for your help!
 
How far down have you set the neck sizer? If you are not inserting the case all the way into the die, it only partially sizes the neck and that will also make for hard chambering. Are your bullets seated deep enough, or are they engaging the rifling? There shouldn't be any problems closing the bolt on a neck sized fireformed case.
 
Probably safe. If you can close the bolt, that is ok so long as you don't have to pound the bolt closed.

it is unusual to be able to interchange ammo that has not been FL sized.

I suggest you mark the boxes and have separate ammo for each rifle.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom