Cambsman Posted August 1, 2013 Report Share Posted August 1, 2013 Hi all. Having a problem with my 6.5x55 reloads and looking for any advice/help. Target load using 139grn Scenar heads with 42grn N160 works fine. Hunting load using 140grn Nosler Partition heads, also with 42grn N160, and the bolt is hard to lift after firing. No signs of pressure issues on case or primer etc. Bullets seated 30 thou off. Any thoughts as to what might be happening. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted August 1, 2013 Report Share Posted August 1, 2013 are they chambering easily? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted August 1, 2013 Report Share Posted August 1, 2013 (edited) My thoughts exactly Edit... If it's a recent thing the temperature could be pushing your loads over the edge? As you say though there should be other signs to go with the sticky bolt, but it's a cause for concern. Some primers don't show the signs as well as others. Edited August 1, 2013 by njc110381 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cambsman Posted August 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2013 The rounds chamber easily and also eject easily if I don't fire them so pretty sure they are not fouling in the chamber or on the lands etc. Interesting thought on the temperature though. I will drop the load down again and work back up, although 42grn of N160 in a modern rifle (sauer) is not exactly a hot round. Very strange.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seeker Posted August 1, 2013 Report Share Posted August 1, 2013 how many times fired? Full or neck sized ... annealing or retirement time ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted August 1, 2013 Report Share Posted August 1, 2013 Some years ago I had a similar problem albeit with a different calibre. I never got to the bottom of it, just used a different bullet and carried on. But it still niggles now when I think back on it. Looking at the profiles of the two bullets, is it all possible that the one causing the problem has a greater area in contact with the barrel wall/rifling and in view of which the bullet requires a bit more 'grunt' to get it going? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rem708 Posted August 1, 2013 Report Share Posted August 1, 2013 What make primers are you using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted August 1, 2013 Report Share Posted August 1, 2013 Pressure!! U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cambsman Posted August 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2013 Ok. Brass is only twice fired. Neck sized. Federal primers. Have measured rifle with OAL gauge to set length for this bullet. Any more thoughts guys? Ta. Wymberley. Do u think the load is too light? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beretta28g Posted August 1, 2013 Report Share Posted August 1, 2013 Neck sizing may well be your problem. I never have had good results neck sizing with my swede. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cambsman Posted August 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2013 Did you have sticky bolt problems too? (no snarf snarf comments please!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted August 1, 2013 Report Share Posted August 1, 2013 Have you trimmed the brass? U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beretta28g Posted August 1, 2013 Report Share Posted August 1, 2013 That load according to the Lapua data i have is on the hotter side, it may pay to re work a load up. . I had accuracy problems and some, but not much bolt stiffness. Try going back to a factory standard spec for your brass. e.g full length size and then trim to the required length. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted August 2, 2013 Report Share Posted August 2, 2013 Ok. Brass is only twice fired. Neck sized. Federal primers. Have measured rifle with OAL gauge to set length for this bullet. Any more thoughts guys? Ta. Wymberley. Do u think the load is too light? Honestly, I haven't a clue as I don't know the calibre. I just recognised the symptoms and what I suggested is the only possibility that I could ever come up with. If it's a fast powder (I know not), there might just be a pressure spike before the bullet gets going. Just out of interest, the Nosler manual also suggests that 42gns is on the hotter side of max. But emphasise that I don't really know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cambsman Posted August 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2013 Thanks for the thoughts folks. Brass has been trimmed to spec so should be ok? Sounds like time to rework the load and if that is still no good then try a different SP bullet. Any advice on choice for use with the N160 for deer? Anybody want some Nosler Partition bullets? lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted August 2, 2013 Report Share Posted August 2, 2013 Don't give up on the partitions Mr.....they are a good bullet . Just drop a grain and see. Was it cooler weather when you developed the round?!! U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seeker Posted August 2, 2013 Report Share Posted August 2, 2013 Have you chrono'd the loads? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted August 2, 2013 Report Share Posted August 2, 2013 If it was to do with neck sizing they would be hard to chamber, it sounds like a pressure issue you could try backing off a bit and seeing if it stops happening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cambsman Posted August 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2013 Weather was cooler when I first test fired the load from 39 grn thru to 43 grn. The 42 grn load seemed to group the best. Sticky bolt occurred on a hot day so might be the answer. I will back it off and try again - will remember to take the chrono next time too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted August 2, 2013 Report Share Posted August 2, 2013 the figures on it are approx 1% velocity change per 10 degrees temperature difference so it shouldn't be the issue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cambsman Posted August 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2013 Thanks al4x - interesting info - I wonder what that means in pressure terms? Is it a linear relationship between pressure and velocity? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted August 2, 2013 Report Share Posted August 2, 2013 I doubt it that would be far too simple but it shouldn't be too far off. Its a modern powder and should be not too affected by temperature, I'd load a couple of rounds with a couple of grains less and a couple with the same load having trimmed the cases etc and see if you can re create the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cambsman Posted August 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2013 Will do. I will report back in a couple of weeks - won't have a chance to get to the range for a while cos of work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cambsman Posted August 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2013 Ok quick update for those who were kind enough to offer help. Loaded up some more rounds with lighter loads. All worked fine, no bolt sticking. Seems like 42 grains must have been a bit too much after all! Will run them over the chrono next time to check velocity. Thanks all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted August 11, 2013 Report Share Posted August 11, 2013 Glad to help. U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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