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Why wont my bolt close on some reloads?

F

flynlow3

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 2, 2010
1,084
15
39
IL, EFFINGHAM
Hello,

I have a new remington 700 5r mil spec in .308 win. I started loading for it and am having issues with my bolt not locking down after chambering the loads.

I have tried trimming the brass down. I started out a 2.015 and worked my way all the way down to 1.999!

I have tried two different FL resizing dies as well and get random shells that will not work out of both.

I checked my chambers throat. It measures out at 2.965

I load my 175 SMK to 2.850-2.855 Plenty of room.

This is all happening before firing the weapon so its not a sticking bolt from a hot load or anything of that nature.

Thanks!
 
Re: Why wont my bolt close on some reloads?

How are you setting up your FL die? And are you using brass from your gun or are you using once fired from someone else?
 
Re: Why wont my bolt close on some reloads?

Screw your die down on to the shell holder till theirs a little resistenance when it cams over. If that does not work you might have to machine the shell holder down a little. I have a tight chamber gun that needed every bit of sizing I could get.
 
Re: Why wont my bolt close on some reloads?

With what info you gave, it sounds like it has to do with your sizing die. Try what Proarc said and let us know if that helps.
 
Re: Why wont my bolt close on some reloads?

What sizing lube are you using and are you getting any inside of the necks?

I bet the expander is dragging slightly more on some brass, pulling the shoulder back out.
 
Re: Why wont my bolt close on some reloads?

You could be buckling your cases with your seating die. That is my bet here. It is caused when you have your seating stem screwed out too far and your crimp feature is buckling your case.
I have doubts that you aren't sizing enough with 2 sets of dies for a factory chamber.
Put a resized empty case in your shell holder and screw the seating die down till it stops on the case. That is where your crimper is. Now turn the die out 2 or 3 full turns and lock it down with the set screw. From here on out you only adjust the seating stem in the die to move the bullet in or out.
And I may be completely wrong but this is very common cause of non chambering rounds.
 
Re: Why wont my bolt close on some reloads?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: armorpl8chikn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You could be buckling your cases with your seating die. That is my bet here. It is caused when you have your seating stem screwed out too far and your crimp feature is buckling your case.
I have doubts that you aren't sizing enough with 2 sets of dies for a factory chamber.
Put a resized empty case in your shell holder and screw the seating die down till it stops on the case. That is where your crimper is. Now turn the die out 2 or 3 full turns and lock it down with the set screw. From here on out you only adjust the seating stem in the die to move the bullet in or out.
And I may be completely wrong but this is very common cause of non chambering rounds. </div></div>

What HE said^^^^
 
Re: Why wont my bolt close on some reloads?

After reading all the replies, Here is what i came up with. I use a rolling pad to lubricate the brass with. This method does not lubricate the inside of the throat of the brass. I noticed on some cases, i was pulling up on the handle harder than normal. So should I spray lube the inside of the throat on the brass?

Thanks for all the quick replies!
 
Re: Why wont my bolt close on some reloads?

I suppose that you have tried chambering a sized case. If it will go, it must be something you're doing while seating. See Armorplate's advice above...

You mentioned that some will go, some won't. What's the difference?
 
Re: Why wont my bolt close on some reloads?

The brass is once fired from someone elses gun. The reason I think it is in the FL sizing process is I recall the press being hard to pull the die up off the shell. I think that without any lube on the inside of the brass, I am pulling up and streching out the neck. Just my thoughts. I could be wrong but the consistency of the hard pulls to brass not fitting is spot on!
 
Re: Why wont my bolt close on some reloads?

make sure you seating die isn't roll crimping which could create more miscellaneous issues.
 
Re: Why wont my bolt close on some reloads?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: flynlow3</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="color: #FF0000">The brass is once fired from someone elses gun.</span> The reason I think it is in the FL sizing process is I recall the press being hard to pull the die up off the shell. I think that without any lube on the inside of the brass, I am pulling up and streching out the neck. Just my thoughts. I could be wrong but the consistency of the hard pulls to brass not fitting is spot on! </div></div>

See the red letters. We need this info to begin the process of troubleshooting. This is your problem most likely.

Use a q-tip with lube to lube inside necks. I highly reccomend Imperial Sizing Die Wax.
 
Re: Why wont my bolt close on some reloads?

I was having the same problem before I started lubing the inside of the necks. A Qtip and Imperial made a huge difference!
 
Re: Why wont my bolt close on some reloads?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: armorpl8chikn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I highly reccomend Imperial Sizing Die Wax. </div></div>

I second that, all I use, unless Im sizing a bunch of 223 for bulk loading.
 
Re: Why wont my bolt close on some reloads?

Problem is that you are using cases fired in a different gun. I ran into this with my son's 5R too. I had some brass shot thru my AIAE and had to make sure to get the headspace back down to new specs. I could be wrong but I think the chamber on the 5R rifles is cut with a little tighter reamer than Remington's normal sloppy one.
Try this to keep your expanded button from dragging:

http://www.sinclairintl.com/.aspx/pid=32854/avs|Manufacturer_1=REDDING/Product/Imperial-Dry-Neck-Lube

This stuff works well, is not messy and doesn't require any clean up.

So, as stated in above posts, just turn your FL die down til it cams over pretty stiff , size that brass up real good and have at it.
 
Re: Why wont my bolt close on some reloads?

As others have said... Headspace gauge and lube the I.D of the case. Another useful tool is a Dillion case gauge as it can be used as a go/no go tool for fired casings.

Bump the shoulder back .002-.003 and chamber it (just the preped casing... Not a live cartridge) and see if you still have an issue. If so bump it back another .001-.002 and reverify.
 
Re: Why wont my bolt close on some reloads?

If you are dead set on using brass from another gun then you may want to invest in a small base sizing die. Personally I would just limit cases from only that rifle for reloading. Buy a large batch of brass and keep them segregated.
 
Re: Why wont my bolt close on some reloads?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: armorpl8chikn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you are dead set on using brass from another gun then you may want to invest in a small base sizing die. Personally I would just limit cases from only that rifle for reloading. Buy a large batch of brass and keep them segregated. </div></div>

I have a small base body die. The only reason I did it for my son was he is just getting started and didn't have $$ for new brass.
 
Re: Why wont my bolt close on some reloads?

flynlow3 said:
The brass is once fired from someone elses gun.

This is the culprit of your problem. Rule to remember.....FL size brass that came from a different gun!
Click to expand...
 
Re: Why wont my bolt close on some reloads?

I purty much fixed those problems by buying some silicone spray. Put my casings in a cake pan and sprayed them, rolled them over and sprayed again including the inside of the mouth of the case and no more problems. Haven't used that roll around lube crap in years.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: flynlow3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hello,

I have a new remington 700 5r mil spec in .308 win. I started loading for it and am having issues with my bolt not locking down after chambering the loads.

I have tried trimming the brass down. I started out a 2.015 and worked my way all the way down to 1.999!

I have tried two different FL resizing dies as well and get random shells that will not work out of both.

I checked my chambers throat. It measures out at 2.965

I load my 175 SMK to 2.850-2.855 Plenty of room.

This is all happening before firing the weapon so its not a sticking bolt from a hot load or anything of that nature.

Thanks! </div></div>
 
Re: Why wont my bolt close on some reloads?

i second toughguy

pan and spray all the way
 
Re: Why wont my bolt close on some reloads?

In my limited reloading experience one shot has always worked well. Read the directions and it wont act like one stuck like many claim.
 
Re: Why wont my bolt close on some reloads?

As far as resizing lubes go, after 40 years of reloading, I've found Imperial sizing wax for small projects and Dillon Lanolin/alcohol based spray for the big jobs.

If you get a stuck case, you didn't use enough lube.

As far as the resizing issue, this is a dilemma brought up weekly on this forum.

Get a pair of digital calipers and a shoulder bump/ headspace gauge. The Hornady or the one I prefer, the Sinclair. Having this tool is a must.

You can go here to the <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Handloading for long range. 1 Brass prep </div></div> at the top of this forum.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1696162#Post1696162

98% of the time, when you get cases that won't resize or shoulder bump enough, it's a die adjustment issue. The other 2% is a not enough lube issue or an issue with the decapping stem being adjusted too far down in the die and it's hitting the web of the case.

Look up "Shoulder bumping " and you will find a lot of information on how to properly adjust you F/L die to your rifle.
 
Re: Why wont my bolt close on some reloads?

I have found that touching the case mouth lightly in the container of Imperial sizing wax every 3 or 4 cases helps a lot on the down stroke... If you pay attention, you can feel the ball start to get sticky. Sometimes you may have to take the die apart and clean the whole thing.
 
Re: Why wont my bolt close on some reloads?

Case bounce back after resizing or thick necks with tension stretching the case on removal.
 
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