.243 Loading Problem (again)

[steve_b_wales]

Thanks to advice I received from PW members, I sorted out the problem regarding cases being too wide at the mouth and bullet heads dropping straight through. I now have another problem which is bugging me.

 

I have just done a batch of .243, with a 65 grain V-Max head. After I loaded 80 rounds, I tested them in the rifle's chamber (very safely) just to make sure that they cycle properly. When I fed some of the rounds into the chamber and went to close the bolt, the last stage of closing the bolt became stiff, and, in some cases (excuse the pun) the bolt would not lock.

I checked these cases against the other ones which were okay, and found that everything was the same. The bullet head was seated at the same depth, the case was the correct length, and the primer was seated correctly.

 

I'm baffled as to why these cases will not 'load' in my rifle. I've never come across this before.

 

Any advice on solving this problem will be very much appreciated.

 

Cheers

Steve

[henry d]

Are you 100% sure you re-sized them all as it may have been shot in a different gun and therefore a slightly different sized chamber, sorry if you have answered this elsewhere.

[Devilishdave]

I would be inclined to agree with henry, I have seen cases that have just been neck sized will not go in other rifles so If this is not your own brass and you have only neck sized that might explain it. I have seen two Remington 700s in .243 that wouldn't accept the same ammo because of the tallerances in the chamber.

 

Dave

Edited June 16, 2008 by Devilishdave

[steve_b_wales]

Thanks Henry & Dave for the replies. The brass is my own and has been used only in my rifle. But to eliminate all possibilities, I will full length re-size them to see if it does make a difference.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Cheers

Steve

[bob300w]

Thanks Henry & Dave for the replies. The brass is my own and has been used only in my rifle. But to eliminate all possibilities, I will full length re-size them to see if it does make a difference.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Cheers

Steve

I don't understand why brass fired in your gun does not fit your gun? Try some empty cases, if they fit OK, then try them again when loaded, if they are tight after loading, and not before, you are doing something wrong. I would not full length size, just size enough for rounds to fit your gun, full length sizing shortens case life and does nothing for accuracy.

[harv]

steve,

have you checked the oal length of the fired cases, they must be trimmed to maximun overall length, if you neck size an overlength case it may and probably will crush the shoulder expanding the case slightly.

take a digital vernier and check the freeloading cases against the stiff ones at the shoulder downwards, if you full size the other area to check is just above the extractor ring of the case as the die may not be sizing all the way down.

[dunganick]

i would expect your issue lies with resizing. I have this issue with brass in my howa as it has a tight chamber. If its not resized more than normal it wont let me shut the bolt. Fire formed brass is a very precise fit, just a small amount of dirt on the back of the cartridge or bolt face can cause a tight fit.

[steve_b_wales]

Thanks again to all who offered their advice and suggestions. When I get chance, I will try and sort this problem out. Obviously I am doing something wrong,

 

Cheers All

Steve