Check to make sure the gap between the bottom of case and press ram is correct. I had the same problem a while ago, only to realize I did not fully reset the gap at die base and did not allow a full resize. It could also be the case length, or bullet seating depth in the sense that the bullet is seating against the lands/grooves.
Trouble locking bolt closed on a few hand loads
- Thread starter spyderchop
- Start date
I had the same issue with 2 rounds of 6.5cm
No matter what we did or tried it would not chamber
Full length resized and even tried just chambering the brass, could not close the bolt
The brass was twice fired in my gun from new brass
We case quaged and trimmed to length
Dies were set up proper (lee dies) my loadmaster doent overcam
Ended up just tossing those two brass, haven't encountered the problem since so maybe it was just the brass?
No matter what we did or tried it would not chamber
Full length resized and even tried just chambering the brass, could not close the bolt
The brass was twice fired in my gun from new brass
We case quaged and trimmed to length
Dies were set up proper (lee dies) my loadmaster doent overcam
Ended up just tossing those two brass, haven't encountered the problem since so maybe it was just the brass?
Chambers and resizing dies vary in size and the majority of the time the die can actually push the case shoulder back more than needed. This makes me think your die can be adjusted further down to get more shoulder bump.
The majority of full length dies per the instructions tell you to turn the die down until it contacts the extended ram and then turn 1/8 to a 1/4 turn more. This takes any slop out of the press and makes sure the die and shell holder maintain hard contact with no air gap between them.
I'm 68 and have been reloading for over 47 years and only once have I had to lap the top of a shell holder to get the proper amount of shoulder bump. I had to lap .003 off the top of the shell holder in order to allow the bolt to close without resistance.
Try removing the dies expander and size the tight fitting cases again and test chamber them. If the cases fit this tells you the expander is pulling on the case neck and moving the shoulder forward.
If adjusting the die does not help you can try lapping the top of the shell holder .001 or .002 and size the cases again and see if they fit. This will be cheaper than buying a new die, and remember different brands of cases, the amount and type of case lube and hardness of the brass will effect the amount of shoulder bump.
And again, normally when the die is adjusted per the instructions the case shoulder is pushed back more than needed. And many things can cause your problem, example your shell holder may be out of specifications and not push the case far enough into the die. And this is where having a Hornady cartridge case headspace gauge comes in very handy.
The majority of full length dies per the instructions tell you to turn the die down until it contacts the extended ram and then turn 1/8 to a 1/4 turn more. This takes any slop out of the press and makes sure the die and shell holder maintain hard contact with no air gap between them.
I'm 68 and have been reloading for over 47 years and only once have I had to lap the top of a shell holder to get the proper amount of shoulder bump. I had to lap .003 off the top of the shell holder in order to allow the bolt to close without resistance.
Try removing the dies expander and size the tight fitting cases again and test chamber them. If the cases fit this tells you the expander is pulling on the case neck and moving the shoulder forward.
If adjusting the die does not help you can try lapping the top of the shell holder .001 or .002 and size the cases again and see if they fit. This will be cheaper than buying a new die, and remember different brands of cases, the amount and type of case lube and hardness of the brass will effect the amount of shoulder bump.
And again, normally when the die is adjusted per the instructions the case shoulder is pushed back more than needed. And many things can cause your problem, example your shell holder may be out of specifications and not push the case far enough into the die. And this is where having a Hornady cartridge case headspace gauge comes in very handy.
Is the shiny spot an ejector mark from before they were sized?
billbmcleod
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Back very close to Bruce County
How about a .002 or .003 feeler gauge under the shell head in the shell holder. It would do the same as lapping the shell holder.
As long as primers are seated properly this might fix the offending cartridges.
As long as primers are seated properly this might fix the offending cartridges.
It could have been that all your ammo is correct, the rifle might be too tight in chamber. I had a friend buy a new PSS Remington 700...and we could only chamber some of the factory ammo he bought. Federal Premium...some other brands would chamber and some wouldn't. Hand loads were hit and miss too. I ran a chamber ream in and it took out such a fine amount of material, it was hard to believe it would matter. Not deeper, but the outside of the chamber walls. It was like their ream had been sharpened a couple of times and was undersize. After a touch with the ream all ammo chambered, no issues with accuracy either. Might not be your ammo at all.
Problem is we can't see what you're doing or how your rifle is functioning.
Problem is we can't see what you're doing or how your rifle is functioning.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
There have been plenty of excellent suggestions but I would ask you try a simple test.
Of the 4 cases that didn't chamber, pull the bullet and powder and primer on 2 of them. Relube WELL and stuff them back through your sizing die. Did it chamber?
If it chambers, then your issue is inconsistent lube or a lube that is not good enough for the level of sizing you need. If 36 cases chamber properly, I suspect it is not the die nor press but inadequate lube
When I am sizing for my competition rifles, the amount I am bumping is very small so changes in lube will lead to a stiff chambering. I will run a case through the body die a couple of times to ensure it is bumped for perfect function.
Easiest and fastest solution... let us know if this is it...
Jerry
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
This is very common issue hsndloading 8x57 Mauser, in a surplus Mauser rifle.
You have to duplicate the 198 grain military bullet profile.
Otherwise one is too often jamming the bullet ogive into the lands because the chamber throat is too short.
Using feeler gauges as you suggested would work "IF" you have a set small enough to slip into the shell holder.
"BUT" as Mystic Precision has stated it could be the amount of case lube being used. During sizing any excess lube is squeezed upward and the lube collects on the shoulder of the case.
Most reloading manuals tell you the wipe the lube off the shoulder and the neck before sizing. This helps prevent denting the case shoulder but it also effects the amount of shoulder bump.
But any excess lube on the case body can be squeezed upward into the shoulder area and increase the amount of shoulder bump.
I was sizing some 30-30 cases the other day with home made alcohol and lanolin mix. And I thought I didn't need to wipe off the shoulder and neck because it was just a thin coating of lube.
I ended up denting a few case shoulders and bumping the case shoulder back further. And this is very noticeable if you have a Hornady headspace gauge or a RCBS Precision Mic.
Bottom line, I think Mystic Precision hit the nail on the head and found the problem.
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Follow this advice and you too can have case head separations.
There is no substitute for a PROPERLY set full length die. 'over caming' or screwing the die into contact with the shellholder is the worst thing you can do.
I use Redding competition shell holders to control and adjust the amount of shoulder bump. And these competition shell holders make hard contact with the die and the press cams over.
"BUT" each of the five shell holders has a deck height from .002 to .010 "lower" than a standard shell holder. Meaning you do have to touch or adjust the die to adjust the amount of shoulder bump. And all you do is change shell holders for the amount of desired shoulder bump.
Chambers and dies vary in size and the die adjustment up or down depends on your chamber and die. And you are correct in that minimum shoulder bump will make your cases last longer most of the time. BUT I full length resize all my 30-30 cases with the die making hard contact with the shell holder with press camover. And these cases die of cracked necks and not case head separations.
Below are three types of Forster .308 Winchester dies and what is written below is based on the die making hard contact with the shell holder.
Bottom line, for over 20 years before I bought gauges for checking cartridge headspace I set the die up per the instructions and never had a single case head separation. You could say I was lucky and my resizing dies matched my chambers and many dies do. And its the chambers and dies that do not match up that can cause problems. Example I have a standard Lee FL .223 die that will push the shoulder back .009 shorter than my GO gauge if it contacts the shell holder. And why it is a good idea to have gauges like the Hornady cartridge case headspace gauge to measure your fired and resized cases.
Setting the die up per the instructions insures the resized case will fit in any chamber. But this doesn't mean with your rifle and die you might be pushing the case shoulder back too far. Or have a brand of case with softer brass that stretches excessively. I just want to make it clear that just because the die touches the shell holder doesn't mean you will have a case head separation.
Below these .308 cases were full length resized with the die making hard contact with the shell holder per the dies instructions. And you can see the strength of the brass and the case quality have a big effect on case life.
No, the bolt was shaving the head stamp because the case was a touch too long. Instead of trimming to max oal, I started trimming to, I think, about 5 thou less and I haven't had a problem since. Rifle is a Kimber Sonora, I think I read they were known to have tight chambers.
Yeah, three out my five Kimbers have tight chambers. Not short in the neck length but everywhere else. Cases last forever.
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