issue with .223 full length resize

[George Az]

Breaking in a new Rem 700 in .223. Reloaded some rounds and the bolt does not want to close on my rounds. I am using a die I had for a while but got a case stuck a while back and replaced the guts. I set it up so the ram just kisses the die. Full length resize and decap.

I don't/haven't had any issues with the 06 or .308 when reloading so, I am looking for answers.

The .223 chambers my buddies reloads or factory loads no problem. I might have seated the bullets a little long. I went 2.26 oal. I am using Varget - it was 95 degrees out, Sierra 53 gr MK and some Nosler 50's. Same thing. No mark I can see on the bullet itself. On the two that did chamber tight but ok, no signs of pressure or anything. I load conservatively.

This is a pencil barrel to be carried distance for yotes.

Thanks

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Is this brass you are using once fired in YOUR rifle? Once fired in someone elses rifle then resized may not fit your rifle.

You say your shellholder "just kisses" the die? You may need to cam over a bit, meaning raise the ram, turn die down until the die is tight against AND THEN, lower your ram a bit and turn the die in further about 1/16 or even an 1/8 of a turn til the ram goes tight and you feel resistance just before the ram is topped out. At that point when you complete the stroke you should hear and feel a "thump" as you cam over that last fraction of an inch. Best way I can describe it. If you are just kissing the shellholder you may not be sizing enough.

Another thing you need to look at is your seating die. I have seen lots of instances where a seating die was set up wrong (factory directions aren't always a good guide) and the crimping feature was actually imperceptably buckling the case just enough to cause chambering problems. Put a sized case in your shellholder, turn the die down onto the case until it bottoms out against the case neck, turn the die back out at least one full turn, a turn and a half won't hurt either, and lock the ring. From this point on you use your seating STEM to make adjustments to seating depth, and you should be in no danger of buckling the case.

 

[Bear24]

Use a sharpie and color the entire case and bullet, try and chamber the round and then eject it. Then you will know where the problem lies and the hide can be more of a help to you.

 

[Hogshooter]

What is your case length ? The .223 cases need to be trimmed to 1.750 after a few firings. They tend to stretch after being full length resized a few times. 1.760 is max case length.

 

[Kentucky Jelly]

Make a dummy round (no primer no powder). Use a sharpie marker and paint it entirely black. Try to chamber it, and you will see where your issue lies. You may be pulling the shoulder forward when re sizing if you are not lubing the case necks on the inside.


Edit: i forgot to hit post so looks like I was slow lol