Reloading Remmigton cases .243 question/problem

[TheTrooper]

Hi all

I have been reloading my remmington cases for my .243 all problem free until recently. All my cases up to the problem starting where factory rounds that I had purchased & once fired & reloaded them 3 or 4 times.

I then got given some once fired remmington cases that had been once fired, this is where the problem started. I found that with these reloads the bolt was extremely tight to close even though I had loaded them up to the same COAL & everything. I have got the vernier on the cases that I have succesfully reloaded & the ones that are causing the problem & can find no difference at all.

I thought that a remmington .243 case would be exactly the same as another remmington .243 case, but it seems that there must be some difference somewhere that I am missing. Have any of you reloaders come across the same problem at all?

Thanks for any help you can give.

[Windswept]

Are you full length sizing the once fired cases given to you? If so, are the primers seating ok?

[Dougy]

Different batches of cases are likely to have enough difference in case size to give you these problems your facing, try turning the full length die in another 1/4 turn. 

 

Also if you are close to max loads the warm weather will affect pressures specially if the cases have a very slight increase in case wall thickness therefore increasing internal pressure. If you weigh the different brass you may see an increase in weight from those giving you the heavy bolt lifts. 

[Touchstone]

It sounds to me as though the rifle in which your donated cases were fired in has a larger chamber than your own rifle.  You will need to bump the shoulder of the donated cases back a couple of thou smaller than your own chamber dimension.  To do that accurately, you will need one of these: Hornady Lock-N-Load Headspace Gauge Kit Body with 5 Bushings — Reloading Solutions Limited

T

[Dougy]

16 minutes ago, Touchstone said:

It sounds to me as though the rifle in which your donated cases were fired in has a larger chamber than your own rifle.  You will need to bump the shoulder of the donated cases back a couple of thou smaller than your own chamber dimension.  To do that accurately, you will need one of these: Hornady Lock-N-Load Headspace Gauge Kit Body with 5 Bushings — Reloading Solutions Limited

T

I dont see the point in that task as the OP is using previously fired brass and mixed batches the accuracy potential doesn't seem to be a concern. A 1/4 turn or so will solve the problem "IF" that is the issue, i think the increase in pressure is more likely due to reduced case capacity and increase in temperatures. 

👍

[enfieldspares]

Try a RCBS or other maker's .243 Winchester small base sizing die. It will solve the problem. Standard factory full length sizing dies do not in fact size cases down to original SAAMI specification of the case. The OP can check this by using a set of measuring calipers just above the case "web" of one of the FL sized (in his dies) once fired cases he has that won't chamber and his own FL sized cases that will chamber. This from the internet explains it better than I can:

A FL die will only size the body, shoulder and neck back to SAAMI spec but not necessarily resize the case web (base) to, or below SAAMI spec.

The case web not being sized back down to, or just below SAAMI spec, is what causes some barrels, especially in auto-loaders, to experience failure to chamber. Not everyone experiences it, but to avoid it completely getting a FL SB die set to begin with will save you from encountering it....along with the frustration, additional expense of die replacement and personal time lost. The price difference between a FL SB set and standard is negligible. As a new reloader, it will be beneficial to you to avoid known issues so as to not become discouraged.

Some don't like the SB dies because they believe it "work hardens" the case and shortens their useful life and amount of times the case can be reused, but it is a good practice to limit reloading to 10 times or less for most calibers, but again that is a personal preference each has to make.

Edited August 12 by enfieldspares

[reddog]

19 hours ago, Windswept said:

Are you full length sizing the once fired cases given to you? If so, are the primers seating ok?

Before you do anything else run them through a full length sizing die, using lube.

I always size the case once, give it a partial turn and then again. Works great as long as the primer pocket is clean and the new primers seat flush.

[TheTrooper]

Thanks for the advice to you all. I have a couple of things to try now so hopefully it will soon be sorted. 👍

[Rim Fire]

Also try the the resized brass in your chamber before you reload it if it is still sticky your doing something wrong a FL die should put your brass back to factory spec