MAGTECH 150gr FMJ's =stuck bolt - advice pls?

[jayd4wg]

when I originally bought my XS7 i got a 50ct box of Magtech ammo (good price at cabelas) but immediately noticed that every round of Magtech would cause my bolt to stick shut. It chambers fine, no signs of overpressure that I can see and the bolt opens okay except for the last 1/16th of a turn. a sharp rap on the bolt handle frees it up though.

I called Troy at Magtech and he requested I send the unused ammo and spent brass in for them to look at. they test fired some other rounds out of that lot and they are within spec. He's sending me a couple boxes to try out, out of a different lot which is cool with me but i'm concerned about the same thing happening again. If it DOES bind the same way, am I damaging the rifle to run this ammo thru it to reclaim the brass? the brass looks good and does not have military crimp on primers so should be okay for reloading. I'd want to cycle this ammo thru MY rifle because I'll be using a Lee loader and do not have immediate access to full length resizing die.

Guess i'm just a little in the dark here - not sure what I should do with the ammo if it tanks on me again. I asked them if they could just swap me out for a few boxes of primers but they are on backorder (go figure, right?) Anyone in Pittsburgh have a 308 semi and some FL dies that may want to "condition" the brass if i can't fire it?

How bad IS it to have round that mildly lock up the action?

 

[jayd4wg]

Re: MAGTECH 150gr FMJ's =stuck bolt - advice pls?

noone?

 

[CavalrySoldier3ACR]

Re: MAGTECH 150gr FMJ's =stuck bolt - advice pls?

It would be impossible to say if you are damaging your rifle by using this ammo, without looking at it, but it certainly is not behaving normally. I presume you have used other commercial ammo in this rifle without this problem. If so, then the issue is obviously the ammo. If it does this with most or all other commercial ammo, then the problem is your rifle. I would discontinue using the Magtech ammo and try something else.

 

[jayd4wg]

Re: MAGTECH 150gr FMJ's =stuck bolt - advice pls?

that said, i'm gonna have about 100 rds of magtech 308 150gr fmj's in the mail in a couple days. I'll try one from each box and if it still locks up the bolt they will be going back to magtech again.

No other ammo locks me up like this.

 

[jayd4wg]

Re: MAGTECH 150gr FMJ's =stuck bolt - advice pls?

just a little update to this thread. I just last nite figured out why i'm having issues with this ammo. the brass is too long. I mic'd some of the spent brass and it's all in the 2.019 and 2.020 range. I have a feeling it's getting pinched in my chamber.

Needless to say, i'm not shooting any more of it.

 

[cmh2007]

Re: MAGTECH 150gr FMJ's =stuck bolt - advice pls?

mine is doing the same thing...but i reloaded some of the spent brass, and the reloaded brass didnt do the same thing...it cycled just like every other ammo.

 

[jayd4wg]

Re: MAGTECH 150gr FMJ's =stuck bolt - advice pls?

yeah, i'm kinda wondering if i should just fire off the 100 rounds or so and deal with the tight bolt or if I should use a puller and trim the cases then reload?

do you have to trim your reload cases too?

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: MAGTECH 150gr FMJ's =stuck bolt - advice pls?

I would measure the chamber in question before pulling the ammo. For now just tag it as to what it is and store it out of the way. Then when you can get to measure the chamber, it'll be there.

Good luck.