Difficulty extracting and chambering (Rem 700)

[wisam]

The other day in the middle of the range session it became very difficult to chamber a round and almost impossible to extract loaded rounds. On some of the rounds closing the bolt felt very gritty. Extracting fired brass was normal, but extracting loaded rounds usually required quite a bit of force.

The rounds are sierra match kings (168's) loaded to 2.800. I've been using this load for several years so the OAL isn't new. Also the issue came up when I was half way through a box of ammo so I didn't mistakenly seat to the wrong OAL. When I got home I had the same issue with all of my loads that were loaded to 2.800 gave the same results even though I had used some out of each box previously with no issues.

After I extract the rounds I notice an area that is scratched on or slightly behind the ogive whose size seems to correspond to how difficult the round was to unchamber.

Factory ammo feeds fine. Also I have a box I loaded to 2.775 that seems fine as well, but I have another box loaded to 2.770 that is difficult as well. I tried cleaning the chamber and it seemed to help slightly but it may be my imagination.

The gun has roughly 4000 rounds through if there are any issues that are more likely to come up at this point.

Any guesses as to what could be happening?

 

[Boltfluter]

Re: Difficulty extracting and chambering (Rem 700)

The first thing I would do is to pull one of the bullets out of the case of your reloads. And then, see how it chambers without a bullet. Just for a test to help isolate the problem.

Paul

 

[Cascade Precision]

Re: Difficulty extracting and chambering (Rem 700)

So, you have a mark actually on the bullet itself?

Usually if I have a problem loading or extracting, it is due to one of the following:
1. Too much seating/crimp on the case bulges either the neck or the case body
2. Case is not trimmed to length
3. Bullet not seated properly/incorrect depth

Typically, if it is not extracting, I have issues with bulged case somewhere.

EDIT: Doing what Boltfluter says is the way to go.

 

[wisam]

Re: Difficulty extracting and chambering (Rem 700)

The brass without the bullet chambers fine.

The issue is almost certainly with the gun and not the reloads since it came up half way through a box of ammo that was shooting fine and now happens with most of the rest of my loads which were previously fine including a box that was loaded with virgin brass.

 

[Boltfluter]

Re: Difficulty extracting and chambering (Rem 700)

Try running a tight patch in the throat area and see if you can feel any roughness or the patch tries to hang up. A borescope would help if you have a friend with one. Also, check to make sure the chamber is squeaky clean. No grit or powder kernels.

Paul

 

[3-0-hate]

Re: Difficulty extracting and chambering (Rem 700)

Do you have a case gauge? I would check all the rounds that are hard to chamber in a case gauge to check for good brass length and or bulges..

Im wondering if your sizing die needs adjustment...

 

[JB02]

Re: Difficulty extracting and chambering (Rem 700)

So virgin brass loaded to standard OAL of 2.800 isn't chambering and is gouging the bullet IVO the ogive? If you've compared fired factory cases to your resized cases using a headspace gauge (rules our your sizing die), ensured that all brass is within the 2.005-2.010 trim length (rules out your brass being too long), ensured your lot of bullets is .308 (rules out your bullets), and thoroughly cleaned your rifle and chamber (rules out dirt and debris), then it seems you are right that the issue is likely with the rifle itself and not your reloads.

Perhaps it would be best for a gunsmith to take a look at your rifle.

 

[5RWill]

Re: Difficulty extracting and chambering (Rem 700)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SVThuh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do you have a case gauge? I would check all the rounds that are hard to chamber in a case gauge to check for good brass length and or bulges..

Im wondering if your sizing die needs adjustment...</div></div>

This is what i was thinking.

 

[uracowman]

Re: Difficulty extracting and chambering (Rem 700)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wisam</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> <span style="font-weight: bold">Extracting fired brass was normal, but extracting loaded rounds usually required quite a bit of force.</span> </div></div>

have you measured your cases?

 

[wisam]

Re: Difficulty extracting and chambering (Rem 700)

Brass is 2.010.

 

[RyanMcIntyre]

Re: Difficulty extracting and chambering (Rem 700)

I'm guessing it's time for a full-length size.

 

[The Gump]

Re: Difficulty extracting and chambering (Rem 700)

Carbon ring?

 

[my human host]

Re: Difficulty extracting and chambering (Rem 700)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pete Sake</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Carbon ring? </div></div>

This ^^^ is my best guess, too.

 

[wisam]

Re: Difficulty extracting and chambering (Rem 700)

Just an update. I cleaned the heck out of the chamber with a chamber brush and cleaned out inside of the bolt while pushing the spring loaded ejector on the bolt face (I forget the name of that part). Not sure if the issue was a dirty chamber or something preventing full travel of the ejector and causing the rounds to feed crooked, but the issue is 100% better when feeding the same rounds that previously gave me issues.