Some of my brass doesn't chamber?

domyalex

domyalex

Regular
Rating - 100%
25   0   0
Location
Maple Ridge, BC
Still struggling with my first batch of reloaded rounds (.308 using once fired Federal brass and Lee BreachLock).

So, I set my FL-sizing die per instruction (until it touches the shellholder, plus 1/4-1/3 turn) and trimmed cases (after resizing), but when I try to chamber the brass itself (before seating the bullet) 60% chambers fine, 20% requires a bit more strength and 20% won't chamber at all (bolt barely starts to lock before stopping dead).

I have tried re-sizing and setting the sizing die deeper (up to +1 turn), but nothing worked.

Triple checked case length and it's fine.

I also tried seating a bullet with varying degrees of crimp and bullet depth; no good.

I'm lost.... :( Any ideas? :confused:

Rifle is Weatherby Vanguard if it makes any difference.

... help?
 
308 in my opinion has always been a ##### to resize for one stoopid reason or another, My browning 81 I had to get small base dies for it, so I would just try and resize with lube and see where it goes from there with a unprimed case, I can't see a bullet causing any trouble so just try all your cases after resizing and see if they will chamber????
 
You are using once fired brass from another rifle? If so, it likely had a larger chamber than yours - particularly the base dia. This is not uncommon for 308/7.62 based rifles. Once the base is oversize, its very difficult to "spring it back" with dies. Although they work, I wouldnt bother with smal base dies - keep the brass that works, and pick up some new brass.
 
"...what's a small base die?..." FL die that resizes a few thou more than a regular FL die.
I'd almost bet your die isn't FL resizing. It's not sizing the same way every time. Loose, maybe? You lock it?
"...pushed the shoulder too far back..." Feel the shoulders. Is there bump? If so, the dies are too far down. Try setting up the die so the shell holder just kisses the bottom of the die with the ram all the way up and forget the 1/4 turn.
 
Johnny G1 said:
308 in my opinion has always been a ##### to resize for one stoopid reason or another, My browning 81 I had to get small base dies for it, so I would just try and resize with lube and see where it goes from there with a unprimed case, I can't see a bullet causing any trouble so just try all your cases after resizing and see if they will chamber????
Click to expand...

A major reason I always say I prefer a 30-06 over a 308, is because the 30-06 is so much better for reloading.
I usually get trashed from the 308 lovers for that statement, but I stick to my opinion on it.
 
:(

so, is it "common" to have this kind of issues with .308? I was under the impression the whole process was supposed to be pretty straightforward... seems it isn't...




H4831 said:
A major reason I always say I prefer a 30-06 over a 308, is because the 30-06 is so much better for reloading.
I usually get trashed from the 308 lovers for that statement, but I stick to my opinion on it.
Click to expand...
 
Gotta love women...

Ok, so, out of desperation I had my wife look at some cases that work and some that don't; she said those that don't work have the mark on the neck closer to the shoulder and the mark is more "pronounced" (like a stronger force acted on it). Looking at the brass that works the mark doesn't come as close to the shoulder (the "shiny" ring is wider).

To test my wife's theory I gave her 3 cases that work and 3 that didn't, and she was able to separate them with 100% accuracy...

So, could I have resized it too much? If so, how do I fix it? I tried backing the die but that didn't fix the brass.
 
Last edited:
I had same problem and was told by long time reloader it was impossible to reload for 308 lever rifle, bought a small base die and no more problems,now use small base dies for all rifles except 300 wby,I reload for 30-06 semi-auto with small base die where my mentor could never load for his semi and when he tried my dies he had no more problems,I changed all my others to small base also.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom