Reloads sticking in rifle after firing

[grayghost]

Gun; savage 10 fcp .308
Brass; FGMM
I full length resize the brass, trim the cases to length and the reload, after 3 or 4 reloads the cases will stick in chamber cannot remove with bolt.
OAL is 2.80 if I goto 2.83 bullet gets stuck in lands, and will pull out of case upon extraction.

Load 44.6gr varget, 175 smks. winchester primers

 

[seanh]

have you tried just neck sizing instead of FL? You'll work the case less which may give you longer brass life.

 

[bcrich]

I have the 110 fcp HS in 338lm and I have the same problem! Looks like the extractor just slips off the rim! I need to find an aftermarket beefier extractor with a claw just a hair longer to grab the rim better. My loads aren't hot either plus I had the same problem with factory ammo, at the last match I had 4 stuck cases out of 30!

 

[17874]

Just a guess here, but savages are usually set to minimum head space. I bet if you use a Small base FL sizer die that would bump the shoulder back enough to fix the problem. If you want to send me a piece of problem brass, I can SB size it and see if it fixes the problem.

 

[McCrazy]

Get a shoulder bump guage and check your shoulders against specs. Just because you are putting the rounds through a FL resizing die doesn't mean you are bumping the shoulders back to where they need to be.

You can take the firing pin out of your bolt, insert a fired case into your chamber and try to close the bolt. If there is more than a hint of resistance as you close the bolt then it is your shoulders.

 

[ksthomas]

Ditto on the Small Base sizing suggestion. Many don't realize it, but S/B sizing is every bit as much of an aid to proper extraction as it is to easier chambering. Helps both on the way in AND out. Use a bump gage or a Precision Mic to avoid setting the shoulder back, and your case life will still be just fine.

 

[Biggerhammer50]

+1 on the small base die. I have a Savage BA10 in 308 and had the same problem with cases sticking. The SB die fixed the problem. You don't need to use it all the time just every 3 or 4 loadings.

"ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ"

 

[grayghost]

Thanks for the help. I think the small base die will probably fix the problem. I could never find any sign on the cases to till me what the problem was.

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Neck sizing will only exacerbate his problem, bad advice. Are you setting up the die so the ram will cam over hard? If you are then yes you need a SB die. If you aren't camming over on the press stroke then you need to adjust the FL die some more. I am not saying it can't happen but having a minimum headspace rifle isn't a requisite for a SB die. I have two custom chambers that are near zero headspace and I use regular FL dies. I would look at having my shell holder surface ground a bit before I bought a whole new set of dies.

 

[JGorski]

Gun; savage 10 fcp .308
Brass; FGMM
I full length resize the brass, trim the cases to length and the reload, after 3 or 4 reloads the cases will stick in chamber cannot remove with bolt.
OAL is 2.80 if I goto 2.83 bullet gets stuck in lands, and will pull out of case upon extraction.

Load 44.6gr varget, 175 smks. winchester primers

They would stick in my SPSS to if I used that much varget, drop your load down to 41.5grs and you should be good. Or, try CFE223 or 2000MR, right around 46-47grs depending upon which brass you're using.

 

[17874]

44.6 is up there, but 45 is the max per hodgdon. As long as he isn't seeing signs of excessive pressure, he should be fine at 44.6. My 175 SMK load was 45 grains of Varget, but I worked my way up to it. It was just starting to flatten primers and I would only use brass for four loads because primer pockets started to get a little too loose for my liking.

 

[tipper]

Over load, brass work hardened no spring back after fired, toss it

 

[grayghost]

I built up to 44.6 grains slowly no pressure signs, but blew out primers at 45. And I do toss the brass if it sticks, currently changeing out brass for winchester brass.

 

[17874]

I like Winchester brass better. I should have 500-1000 once fired FGMM brass once I am done with another sniper school in April. Probably just going to sell then.