Brass hard to chamber boltface wearing brass?

callen3615

callen3615

Sergeant
Minuteman
Jan 27, 2010
97
13
36
Peidmont, NC
#1
Hi, I have a weird question. I have alot of once fired PMC bronze brass that I reload. (308) I have noticed several of them are hard to chamber after firing and resizing. After inspecting these cases I notice a small polished spot on the bottom of the case. I assumed that it had something to do with the brass getting too long and the shoulder needing to be bumped back, but I also have experienced this one pieces of brass that have only been fired once.


Anyone else experience this?
 
#2
Re: Brass hard to chamber boltface wearing brass?

I put an arrow pointing to what Im talking about.

DSC_0002.jpg
 
#4
Re: Brass hard to chamber boltface wearing brass?

Could be a few things.

1-Shoulder not being bumped back enough, giving a hard crush fit.
2-Jamming the bullet into the lands.
3-Bent rim.
4-Cases not trimmed and too long.

Do you have a gauge to measure your actual shoulder bump? You might have a case or two that the shoulders aren't getting bumped back as much as the rest of the brass.

For precision ammo loading, a shoulder bump gauge is very useful. What's nice about it is you will be able to see the numbers relating to how much the brass is being sized. With a digital caliper, the numbers will be staring you in the face. Others may disagree, but as another reloader posted:

<span style="font-style: italic">"Reloading without mics, guages and chrono's is like flying without nav gear. You spend a good portion of the time not knowing where you are."
</span>
 
#6
Re: Brass hard to chamber boltface wearing brass?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FLIGHT762</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Could be a few things.

1-Shoulder not being bumped back enough, giving a hard crush fit.
2-Jamming the bullet into the lands.
3-Bent rim.
4-Cases not trimmed and too long.

Do you have a gauge to measure your actual shoulder bump? You might have a case or two that the shoulders aren't getting bumped back as much as the rest of the brass.

For precision ammo loading, a shoulder bump gauge is very useful. What's nice about it is you will be able to see the numbers relating to how much the brass is being sized. With a digital caliper, the numbers will be staring you in the face. Others may disagree, but as another reloader posted:

<span style="font-style: italic">"Reloading without mics, guages and chrono's is like flying without nav gear. You spend a good portion of the time not knowing where you are."
</span>




</div></div>

I trim every time I size, and I check every piece of brass OAL before I load them.

Im loading to 2.8", well short of the lands. (700s have notoriously long chambers, or so I have been told)

I doubt the shoulder theory because I happens on FL and neck size only brass.


Im thinking its a bent rim. Either way this doesnt sound too serious.


Thanks for the replys
 
#7
Re: Brass hard to chamber boltface wearing brass?

I doubt he's jamming the bullet in the lands the sps series has a super long throat. It could be the shoulder or the primer not seated all the way. Stand the round up on a table if it woobles the primers not seated flush.
 
#8
Re: Brass hard to chamber boltface wearing brass?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: scoutsout</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I doubt he's jamming the bullet in the lands the sps series has a super long throat. It could be the shoulder or the primer not seated all the way. Stand the round up on a table if it woobles the primers not seated flush. </div></div>Im pretty meticulous about checking for non-flush primers as well.
 
#9
Re: Brass hard to chamber boltface wearing brass?





[/quote]

I trim every time I size, and I check every piece of brass OAL before I load them.

Im loading to 2.8", well short of the lands. (700s have notoriously long chambers, or so I have been told)

I doubt the shoulder theory because I happens on FL and neck size only brass.


Im thinking its a bent rim. Either way this doesnt sound too serious[/quote]

I'm thinking that the shoulder needs bumped a bit more. Hard chambering can occur with neck or fl sized brass.

And your right its not too serious until your bolt lugs start to gall. Keep them greased.
 
#10
Re: Brass hard to chamber boltface wearing brass?

In a bolt gun, it's doubtful that your rims are bent.

My first guess, incorrect die adjustment. Therefore, you aren't bumping the shoulder. BB
 
#11
Re: Brass hard to chamber boltface wearing brass?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BuzzBoss915</div><div class="ubbcode-body">In a bolt gun, it's doubtful that your rims are bent.

My first guess, incorrect die adjustment. Therefore, you aren't bumping the shoulder. BB </div></div>I shall increase shoulder bumpage next time I FL resize.

Thank you sir.
 
#12
Re: Brass hard to chamber boltface wearing brass?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cpt. obvious</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BuzzBoss915</div><div class="ubbcode-body">In a bolt gun, it's doubtful that your rims are bent.

My first guess, incorrect die adjustment. Therefore, you aren't bumping the shoulder. BB </div></div>I shall increase shoulder bumpage next time I FL resize.

Thank you sir. </div></div>
Like was mentioned, I doubt that extracting brass out of a bolt action would bend the case rims.

In order to acurately set the shoulder setback, you need a comparator gauge like this one: Hornday Comparator
A case gauge can be used to make sure you are sizing brass to fit an in spec chamber, but a comparator will allow you to maximize the life of your brass by not over sizing it.

This video link shows how it works: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-UrMTyJ1_E
 
#13
Re: Brass hard to chamber boltface wearing brass?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 50APIT</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cpt. obvious</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BuzzBoss915</div><div class="ubbcode-body">In a bolt gun, it's doubtful that your rims are bent.

My first guess, incorrect die adjustment. Therefore, you aren't bumping the shoulder. BB </div></div>I shall increase shoulder bumpage next time I FL resize.

Thank you sir. </div></div>
Like was mentioned, I doubt that extracting brass out of a bolt action would bend the case rims.

In order to acurately set the shoulder setback, you need a comparator gauge like this one: Hornday Comparator
A case gauge can be used to make sure you are sizing brass to fit an in spec chamber, but a comparator will allow you to maximize the life of your brass by not over sizing it.

This video link shows how it works: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-UrMTyJ1_E </div></div>

Yes, this is the best way. Another method which is quicker is to invest in a case gauge like a Wilson, Lyman, Dillon, etc. Fire a piece of factory ammo in your rifle, then gauge the case. Note the position of the case head on a first firing. These gauges have a "low" and "high" reference point.

From there on, use the gauge to set your sizing die for the same length as you noted on your test case. Best way I've found to keep cases "fire formed" yet bump the shoulder back for easy chambering is with the Forster Neck Size/Shoulder bump bushing die. Others that leave the case body alone, only mildly shaping and bumping the shoulder work well too. What I like about the Forster Die is That I can rework the brass a very minimal amount yet have smoothly chambering rounds every time. Adjustable shoulder bump and with the proper sized bushing, no expander ball required.
 
#14
Re: Brass hard to chamber boltface wearing brass?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Deadshot2</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 50APIT</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cpt. obvious</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BuzzBoss915</div><div class="ubbcode-body">In a bolt gun, it's doubtful that your rims are bent.

My first guess, incorrect die adjustment. Therefore, you aren't bumping the shoulder. BB </div></div>I shall increase shoulder bumpage next time I FL resize.

Thank you sir. </div></div>
Like was mentioned, I doubt that extracting brass out of a bolt action would bend the case rims.

In order to acurately set the shoulder setback, you need a comparator gauge like this one: Hornday Comparator
A case gauge can be used to make sure you are sizing brass to fit an in spec chamber, but a comparator will allow you to maximize the life of your brass by not over sizing it.

This video link shows how it works: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-UrMTyJ1_E </div></div>

Yes, this is the best way. Another method which is quicker is to invest in a case gauge like a Wilson, Lyman, Dillon, etc. Fire a piece of factory ammo in your rifle, then gauge the case. Note the position of the case head on a first firing. These gauges have a "low" and "high" reference point.

From there on, use the gauge to set your sizing die for the same length as you noted on your test case. Best way I've found to keep cases "fire formed" yet bump the shoulder back for easy chambering is with the Forster Neck Size/Shoulder bump bushing die. Others that leave the case body alone, only mildly shaping and bumping the shoulder work well too. What I like about the Forster Die is That I can rework the brass a very minimal amount yet have smoothly chambering rounds every time. Adjustable shoulder bump and with the proper sized bushing, no expander ball required. </div></div>

I like the gauge idea alot more than that 115$ die.

"bump" that!
 
#15
Re: Brass hard to chamber boltface wearing brass?

Amigo, you can load up with more gauges but a simple adjustment of your die and trying the empty case in your chamber is really all you need. There is a simple solution, an eighth of a turn at a time. Just screw the die down on the case with the ram up. When you feel the case in the die (lightly lube it, okay?) then go 1/8 of a turn more and try that case in the rifle. If that don't work, let's talk about it. BB
 
#16
Re: Brass hard to chamber boltface wearing brass?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BuzzBoss915</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Amigo, you can load up with more gauges but a simple adjustment of your die and trying the empty case in your chamber is really all you need. </div></div>

Thats what im doing right now.
wink.gif


I just FL resized a case that was difficult to chamber and its just as bad if not worse after the FL size.

Seems like I wasnt bumping anything. Going to mess around with the die until the resistance goes away.

Thanks
 
#18
Re: Brass hard to chamber boltface wearing brass?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BuzzBoss915</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Amigo, you can load up with more gauges but a simple adjustment of your die and trying the empty case in your chamber is really all you need. There is a simple solution, an eighth of a turn at a time. Just screw the die down on the case with the ram up. When you feel the case in the die (lightly lube it, okay?) then go 1/8 of a turn more and try that case in the rifle. If that don't work, let's talk about it. BB </div></div>

You are absolutely right, one can adjust a die without a gauge. The NICE thing about using a gauge is that you can check every piece of ammo you load without having to try it in your rifle first. Not really a big deal if only dealing with a couple of pieces of <span style="text-decoration: underline">empty</span> brass but I'd prefer not to check my finished cartridges by cycling them through my rifle.

No need to check you say? OK, I guess so if you're absolutely sure that every round is perfect when you're done.

A gauge isn't all that expensive but everyone is free to make the choice of having one------or not.
 
#20
Re: Brass hard to chamber boltface wearing brass?

I had a problem like this, and I too was full length sizing and trimming every reload. What I found was the problem was that the cases were not getting sized correctly. My uncle and a gunsmith friend tested this and found that the lubricant we were using (Hornady 1 shot) was not lubing the cases well enough to let the sizing die actually size the base of the case.

I switched to RCBS Lube and have not had a case do this since. The case was not getting sized all the way down to the base and therefore I was cramming the oversized case into the chamber and it was then hard to close the bolt and almost impossible to get the cases out.

All I did was change the case lube and problem solved. We still use the 1 shot for pistol cases but it just will not work right for rifle cases. If you put the rounds into a case gauge you will see that just the base of the case will not fit correctly!

Good Luck!!
 
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