Advice for newbie

[DangerDario]

Hello

I am new to reloading and I could use some help diagnosing an issue/issues I am having with my rifle. I have read all of the stickys in the thread and I have done some of my own research. I think I have identified some of the potential issues I am having...but I wanted to run my thoughts by people with more experience and see what some of you thought.

I have a 308 DTA with a custom SAC barrel.

I am loading my ammo as follows:

Lapua brass
175 HBPT
Winchester Primer
44 Gr Varget
2.800 total length
2.05-2.15 size brass

Accuracy is good. So that part is ok.

But I am experiencing the following issues:

1) Sometimes it is hard to chamber the round;
2) Sometimes the primers do not ignite the powder. So, I get rounds that don't fire;
3) Marks near the primer;
4) and most worrisome...metal shavings in the rifle and bolt !!

From what I have read, some of the issues can be caused by:

1) Insufficient head space;
2) Dirty barrel;
3) Wax on the brass;
4) Oil in the chamber.


Does this sound right? Am I missing anything?


If it is caused by insufficient head space, what is the best way to correct for that?

Thanks

DangerDario

 

[Uncontrolled Copy]

Sounds like sizing issues with the brass and possibly primer seating. Run all your cases through the sizing die, trim to minimum specification length, deburr necks, then check in your rifle chamber. The bolt should easily close on the empty case.
Make sure all primers are seated completely in the primer pocket.

 

[DangerDario]

Uncontrolled Copy,

Thanks. I will try your suggestions today.

 

[JGorski]

Are you bumping the shoulder back any? When I size 308s or pretty much anything else the shellholder is touching or camming over just a touch, anymore than a 1/8 or so of a turn past where the die is touching the shellholder doesn't bump the shoulder anymore from my experience. You could invest in Headspace bushing from Hornady or go by feel, turn your sizing dies down in increments until when you throw a shell in the chamber the bolt closes like a factory round would, though for target work you could have the slightest drag and that wont hurt anything. And seat the primers so they're flush or .002" in. Just dont force it though.

 

[witchhunter]

Let's look at these issues one at a time. Is the bolt hard to close? That could be the bullet is seated into the lands. Check this with a sharpie, mark your bullet and chamber, look closely, are there marks from the rifling? If not it is the sizing or the case length. First, make sure your cases are to trim length. Then take a fired case, try to chamber. Does it fit, bolt close easy? Then adjust your die to size only until the bolt begins to close easily. You can use a sharpie again on the neck of your die and adjust so that it just sizes the neck or a portion (3/4) of it. 2. Primers not firing, usually it is caused by excessive headspace, (sizing too much) or not seating the primer fully into the pocket. 3. Marks near the primer? Do you mean extractor marks? Load could be too hot or too much headspace again. 4. Metal shavings in your action, again, sharpie the whole cartridge and you will see where the brass is coming from. I would suggest a headspace gauge like from Wilson to check your loaded ammo for sizing first. Note; If you load your bullet into the rifling it will cause pressure signs even though the load data is not at max.

 

[DangerDario]

Thanks for all the great advice. I will give this a try and see if I can sort this out.