.308 loading problem

[pklin1297]

Hello all,

I was loading some .308 rounds using new Winchester brass, and once fired mixed stamp brass today. After everything was finished, I chambered a few rounds just to check function (loading rounds for the first time for my new Howa .308). When I chambered the rounds, the cartridge goes in no problem, but I experience quite a bit of resistance when rotating the bolt handle down. I have loaded pistol and rifle rounds before, including .308 for a friends R&D rifle but this would be the first time I experienced this and got me worried.

I have a box of Black Hills new factory rounds so I tried those rounds, and the cartridge goes in and bolt handle rotates down easily.

I've used the Hornady OAL tool and found the OAL and Ogive for my Howa and loaded my rounds this time to .003 - .005 from the lands. I thought maybe my rounds were too long to cause this, but I loaded some rounds shorter and they still experienced the same problem.

Only measurement that was different from the Black Hills rounds was the diameter of the brass body, which my once-fired and Winchester rounds were bigger by about .010 than the Black Hills. All brass went through Hornady full length sizing die prior to loading so not sure why the brass body would be that different from the B.H. But that seems to be the only variable that may cause this. Could the Howa chamber diameter be on the tight, small side?

Sorry for the long explanation, but this worries me a bit that it might cause pressure problems at the range or worst, blow something up since rotation the bolt to chamber a round shouldn't be this hard.

Anyway, any ideas, or assurances would be great appreciated!

Thanks.

 

[AKAce]

Re: .308 loading problem

Bump your shoulders back Just enough that the Resistance goes away.

Stop working up loads with Mixed Brass .... Bad News

 

[pklin1297]

Re: .308 loading problem

Thanks!

wouldn't the shoulder be bumped back into spec when it is full length sized? Or do I have to set up the sizing die a little lower to make sure that happens?

would this resistance create a pressure problem when firing?

 

[pklin1297]

Re: .308 loading problem

Found some threads and sticky on bumping the shoulder, will attempt to do that today.

If the bolt closes with some firm resistance but still closes, will there be a safety issue when firing? I'm asking because the cartridges have already been loaded and unless I can bump the shoulder on a loaded round, and if it will be a safety issue, then I will have to reload those rounds and start over again...

 

[427Cobra]

Re: .308 loading problem

Get a Headspace Gauge, use it to set up Full Length dies, the instructions that came with your die as you well know now are useless.

 

[BK7saum]

Re: .308 loading problem

There aren't any safety issues by firing hard to chamber loads. If the bullets were loaded long (you say you've ruled that out), then you can get increased pressures from bullets in hard contact with the rifling.

In this case it appears that your cases are not resized enough and are causing difficult chambering. I'm not sure how much firm resistance is, but I don't like to chamber rounds that are too difficult. If your bolt lugs aren't greased, you might encounter accelerated wear/galling from chambering with additional pressure on the bolt.

As far as safety is concerned, there shouldn't be any problems as long as it is a safe load to start with.

BLK7

 

[sst04]

Re: .308 loading problem

No lube inside the neck has caused this problem for me!

 

[Mo_Zam_Beek]

Re: .308 loading problem

The best thing I have found is to use an RCBS Precision Mic - take 20 rounds that were fired in the chamber you are going to reload for, mic it set your dies per the instructions with the mic and go forth.

Good luck

 

[pklin1297]

Re: .308 loading problem

Thanks guys.

I didn't load my rounds touching the lands this time, actually loaded them with a jump (based on Ogive length) since this is a new rifle with 0 rounds down the barrel and I didn't want to take too much of a chance.

I adjusted the FL sizing die a little and worked a few cases and the chambering was a little easier. It wasn't so firm that I would need a hammer to chamber to begin with, so I believe I'll be okay.

Thanks again.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: .308 loading problem

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ~Ace~</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Bump your shoulders back Just enough that the Resistance goes away.

Stop working up loads with Mixed Brass .... Bad News </div></div>

+1...

 

[pklin1297]

Re: .308 loading problem

I had another 150 pieces of Black hills brass so I decided to size these brass to see what would happen, then I discovered what the problem was. I had setup the die just touching the ram, but this time, I looked at the brass when operating the press, and found that the place where I usually stopped the stroke of pushing the brass into the die was not all the way up, so it stopped short of bumping the shoulder back into spec, thus my brass felt tight when chambering.

Now that I realized this, all 150 pieces had just a bit of resistance when chambering, just like the new factory ammo. I was really worried after what happened with the other loaded ammo today, but now feel a lot better...

Now to get ready to go shoot on New Years Day...


P.S. to clarify about the mixed brass, I have brass from Black Hills, Hornady, Winchester, and Lapua. I didn't mix the brass when loading; I separated them by brand and loaded them separately during several reloading sessions, and adjusted each die and step according to the brass at hand.

 

[vman]

Re: .308 loading problem

For longe range shooting or hunting, I would do load development on one type of brass only, if possible Lapua as its such a good product.

Sort the rest and keep them for disposable short range hunting, foulers, sighters etc.

 

[samnev]

Re: .308 loading problem

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Get a Headspace Gauge, use it to set up Full Length dies, the instructions that came with your die as you well know now are useless. </div></div>

I've seen this problem a number of times and it usually turnred out to be the dies were not set up properly. That's why I always use a Wilson Case length Gauge to set up my dies. The general instructions you get with your dies are not always suitable for all situations. I don't think a headspace gauge would help the die set up.