just reloaded some 308 rounds and they work great in my fnar and my m1a but in my fn spr the bolt will not lock down the oal is ok seems to be the shoulder not sure how to correct the problem using hornady full lenght dies
308 reloading problem
- Thread starter JBull
- Start date
Re: 308 reloading problem
I'm betting your shoulder is too long (i.e. headspace) for the FN SPR. Every rifle has a slightly different chamber dimension tolerance. Generally, most autoloaders will have a slightly looser chamber than precision bolt guns. therefore your rounds chamber in the other two but not in the Bolt gun.
I found out recently the hard way that headspace drives how you set up your sizing dies and that you essentially cannot have a "one-size fits all" resizing die. Each gun will either have to have a seperate FL sizing die or you will need to re-adjust each time you swap between guns.
I'm betting your shoulder is too long (i.e. headspace) for the FN SPR. Every rifle has a slightly different chamber dimension tolerance. Generally, most autoloaders will have a slightly looser chamber than precision bolt guns. therefore your rounds chamber in the other two but not in the Bolt gun.
I found out recently the hard way that headspace drives how you set up your sizing dies and that you essentially cannot have a "one-size fits all" resizing die. Each gun will either have to have a seperate FL sizing die or you will need to re-adjust each time you swap between guns.
Re: 308 reloading problem
Will the gun act OK with factory ammo? If yes, then try the test below.
IF you are not adjusting your dies down until they touch the shell holder, you may have a very tightly headspaced chamber and you simply need to bump the shoulder back some more. Go size a couple cases with the dies set just like they were when you loaded the first rounds. Try the cases empty cases in your gun. Will the bolt close on them? If not, unlock the lock ring on your die and screw it down slightly (1/8 turn at a time) and size the cases again. Try it again after each adjustment until you get the bolt to close. If you have to screw it down until the die meets the shell holder before the bolt will close, then that particular gun has a chamber at the lower end of headspace tolerance.
If you still can't close the bolt after the above tests, you will have to get info from somebody smarter than me. (which shouldn't be hard)
Will the gun act OK with factory ammo? If yes, then try the test below.
IF you are not adjusting your dies down until they touch the shell holder, you may have a very tightly headspaced chamber and you simply need to bump the shoulder back some more. Go size a couple cases with the dies set just like they were when you loaded the first rounds. Try the cases empty cases in your gun. Will the bolt close on them? If not, unlock the lock ring on your die and screw it down slightly (1/8 turn at a time) and size the cases again. Try it again after each adjustment until you get the bolt to close. If you have to screw it down until the die meets the shell holder before the bolt will close, then that particular gun has a chamber at the lower end of headspace tolerance.
If you still can't close the bolt after the above tests, you will have to get info from somebody smarter than me. (which shouldn't be hard)
Re: 308 reloading problem
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mtrmn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Will the gun act OK with factory ammo? If yes, then try the test below.
IF you are not adjusting your dies down until they touch the shell holder, you may have a very tightly headspaced chamber and you simply need to bump the shoulder back some more. Go size a couple cases with the dies set just like they were when you loaded the first rounds. Try the cases empty cases in your gun. Will the bolt close on them? If not, unlock the lock ring on your die and screw it down slightly (1/8 turn at a time) and size the cases again. Try it again after each adjustment until you get the bolt to close. If you have to screw it down until the die meets the shell holder before the bolt will close, then that particular gun has a chamber at the lower end of headspace tolerance.
If you still can't close the bolt after the above tests, you will have to get info from somebody smarter than me. (which shouldn't be hard) </div></div>
I would disagree with you slightly about just adjusting the die until it touched the shellholder. The above technique was MY original understanding of how to set up the FL die, but I ran into some dangerous Headspace issues because that was oversizing the brass and creating excessive HS. Eventually I had several pieces of brass fail with some pretty drastic signs of overpressure. Read the Reloading 101 sticky for Doc's technique on setting up your FL sizing die that is correctly tailored to your chamber dimensions. I am a convert to that method and it works like a champ. The downside is it only works for a specific gun.
I suppose if you were not running full pressure loads or re-using your brass only for a few loadings, you might be able to get away with just setting the die to bump the shoulder enough so it fits in ALL of the rifles.
Read this thread for what can happen with incorrect headspacing. It was an eye-opener for me as I thought "set it and forget" would work fine. Not.
Incorrect Headspace results
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mtrmn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Will the gun act OK with factory ammo? If yes, then try the test below.
IF you are not adjusting your dies down until they touch the shell holder, you may have a very tightly headspaced chamber and you simply need to bump the shoulder back some more. Go size a couple cases with the dies set just like they were when you loaded the first rounds. Try the cases empty cases in your gun. Will the bolt close on them? If not, unlock the lock ring on your die and screw it down slightly (1/8 turn at a time) and size the cases again. Try it again after each adjustment until you get the bolt to close. If you have to screw it down until the die meets the shell holder before the bolt will close, then that particular gun has a chamber at the lower end of headspace tolerance.
If you still can't close the bolt after the above tests, you will have to get info from somebody smarter than me. (which shouldn't be hard) </div></div>
I would disagree with you slightly about just adjusting the die until it touched the shellholder. The above technique was MY original understanding of how to set up the FL die, but I ran into some dangerous Headspace issues because that was oversizing the brass and creating excessive HS. Eventually I had several pieces of brass fail with some pretty drastic signs of overpressure. Read the Reloading 101 sticky for Doc's technique on setting up your FL sizing die that is correctly tailored to your chamber dimensions. I am a convert to that method and it works like a champ. The downside is it only works for a specific gun.
I suppose if you were not running full pressure loads or re-using your brass only for a few loadings, you might be able to get away with just setting the die to bump the shoulder enough so it fits in ALL of the rifles.
Read this thread for what can happen with incorrect headspacing. It was an eye-opener for me as I thought "set it and forget" would work fine. Not.
Incorrect Headspace results
Re: 308 reloading problem
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ReaperDriver</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mtrmn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Will the gun act OK with factory ammo? If yes, then try the test below.
IF you are not adjusting your dies down until they touch the shell holder, you may have a very tightly headspaced chamber and you simply need to bump the shoulder back some more. Go size a couple cases with the dies set just like they were when you loaded the first rounds. Try the cases empty cases in your gun. Will the bolt close on them? If not, unlock the lock ring on your die and screw it down slightly (1/8 turn at a time) and size the cases again. Try it again after each adjustment until you get the bolt to close. If you have to screw it down until the die meets the shell holder before the bolt will close, then that particular gun has a chamber at the lower end of headspace tolerance.
If you still can't close the bolt after the above tests, you will have to get info from somebody smarter than me. (which shouldn't be hard) </div></div>
I would disagree with you slightly about just adjusting the die until it touched the shellholder. The above technique was MY original understanding of how to set up the FL die, but I ran into some dangerous Headspace issues because that was oversizing the brass and creating excessive HS. Eventually I had several pieces of brass fail with some pretty drastic signs of overpressure. Read the Reloading 101 sticky for Doc's technique on setting up your FL sizing die that is correctly tailored to your chamber dimensions. I am a convert to that method and it works like a champ. The downside is it only works for a specific gun.
I suppose if you were not running full pressure loads or re-using your brass only for a few loadings, you might be able to get away with just setting the die to bump the shoulder enough so it fits in ALL of the rifles.
Read this thread for what can happen with incorrect headspacing. It was an eye-opener for me as I thought "set it and forget" would work fine. Not.
Incorrect Headspace results </div></div>
I agree compleetly I messed up some 338LM Brass with a Issue like that..
also look at the SB die
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ReaperDriver</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mtrmn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Will the gun act OK with factory ammo? If yes, then try the test below.
IF you are not adjusting your dies down until they touch the shell holder, you may have a very tightly headspaced chamber and you simply need to bump the shoulder back some more. Go size a couple cases with the dies set just like they were when you loaded the first rounds. Try the cases empty cases in your gun. Will the bolt close on them? If not, unlock the lock ring on your die and screw it down slightly (1/8 turn at a time) and size the cases again. Try it again after each adjustment until you get the bolt to close. If you have to screw it down until the die meets the shell holder before the bolt will close, then that particular gun has a chamber at the lower end of headspace tolerance.
If you still can't close the bolt after the above tests, you will have to get info from somebody smarter than me. (which shouldn't be hard) </div></div>
I would disagree with you slightly about just adjusting the die until it touched the shellholder. The above technique was MY original understanding of how to set up the FL die, but I ran into some dangerous Headspace issues because that was oversizing the brass and creating excessive HS. Eventually I had several pieces of brass fail with some pretty drastic signs of overpressure. Read the Reloading 101 sticky for Doc's technique on setting up your FL sizing die that is correctly tailored to your chamber dimensions. I am a convert to that method and it works like a champ. The downside is it only works for a specific gun.
I suppose if you were not running full pressure loads or re-using your brass only for a few loadings, you might be able to get away with just setting the die to bump the shoulder enough so it fits in ALL of the rifles.
Read this thread for what can happen with incorrect headspacing. It was an eye-opener for me as I thought "set it and forget" would work fine. Not.
Incorrect Headspace results </div></div>
I agree compleetly I messed up some 338LM Brass with a Issue like that..
also look at the SB die
Re: 308 reloading problem
thanks for your info it works great with factory ammo I am going right now to check on adjusting the die and will probably have to order another fl die for this rifle.
thanks for your info it works great with factory ammo I am going right now to check on adjusting the die and will probably have to order another fl die for this rifle.
Re: 308 reloading problem
tried adjusting the die down as you said no go still will not lock down but thanks for trying I'll keep working on
tried adjusting the die down as you said no go still will not lock down but thanks for trying I'll keep working on
Re: 308 reloading problem
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JBull</div><div class="ubbcode-body">tried adjusting the die down as you said no go still will not lock down but thanks for trying I'll keep working on </div></div>
Did you follow the instructions in that link? When you say you adjusted it down, did you run out of adjustment before it hit the shellholder or something and it still won't chamber?
Also, how about case trim length? Is that within limits? NOT COAL, but the empty case length itself. Try trimming down to min length (2.005). Even if its under max length of 2.015, your chamber may be cut too short.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JBull</div><div class="ubbcode-body">tried adjusting the die down as you said no go still will not lock down but thanks for trying I'll keep working on </div></div>
Did you follow the instructions in that link? When you say you adjusted it down, did you run out of adjustment before it hit the shellholder or something and it still won't chamber?
Also, how about case trim length? Is that within limits? NOT COAL, but the empty case length itself. Try trimming down to min length (2.005). Even if its under max length of 2.015, your chamber may be cut too short.
Re: 308 reloading problem
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JBull</div><div class="ubbcode-body">just reloaded some 308 rounds and they work great in my fnar and my m1a but in my fn spr the bolt will not lock down the oal is ok seems to be the shoulder not sure how to correct the problem using hornady full lenght dies </div></div>
The best way to is to buy a Redding body die .
They will size the base and bump the shoulder with the round as is. They also come in small base.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JBull</div><div class="ubbcode-body">just reloaded some 308 rounds and they work great in my fnar and my m1a but in my fn spr the bolt will not lock down the oal is ok seems to be the shoulder not sure how to correct the problem using hornady full lenght dies </div></div>
The best way to is to buy a Redding body die .
They will size the base and bump the shoulder with the round as is. They also come in small base.
Re: 308 reloading problem
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ReaperDriver</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mtrmn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Will the gun act OK with factory ammo? If yes, then try the test below.
IF you are not adjusting your dies down until they touch the shell holder, you may have a very tightly headspaced chamber and you simply need to bump the shoulder back some more. Go size a couple cases with the dies set just like they were when you loaded the first rounds. Try the cases empty cases in your gun. Will the bolt close on them? If not, unlock the lock ring on your die and screw it down slightly (1/8 turn at a time) and size the cases again. Try it again after each adjustment until you get the bolt to close. If you have to screw it down until the die meets the shell holder before the bolt will close, then that particular gun has a chamber at the lower end of headspace tolerance.
If you still can't close the bolt after the above tests, you will have to get info from somebody smarter than me. (which shouldn't be hard) </div></div>
I would disagree with you slightly about just adjusting the die until it touched the shellholder. The above technique was MY original understanding of how to set up the FL die, but I ran into some dangerous Headspace issues because that was oversizing the brass and creating excessive HS. Eventually I had several pieces of brass fail with some pretty drastic signs of overpressure. Read the Reloading 101 sticky for Doc's technique on setting up your FL sizing die that is correctly tailored to your chamber dimensions. I am a convert to that method and it works like a champ. The downside is it only works for a specific gun.
I suppose if you were not running full pressure loads or re-using your brass only for a few loadings, you might be able to get away with just setting the die to bump the shoulder enough so it fits in ALL of the rifles.
Read this thread for what can happen with incorrect headspacing. It was an eye-opener for me as I thought "set it and forget" would work fine. Not.
Incorrect Headspace results </div></div>
If you read my post carefully, you will see that I was NOT telling the OP to start by adjusting the die until it contacted the shell holder. I said "IF you are NOT adjusting your dies down until they touch the shell holder," then maybe he needed to adjust it down in increments until his bolt would close.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ReaperDriver</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mtrmn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Will the gun act OK with factory ammo? If yes, then try the test below.
IF you are not adjusting your dies down until they touch the shell holder, you may have a very tightly headspaced chamber and you simply need to bump the shoulder back some more. Go size a couple cases with the dies set just like they were when you loaded the first rounds. Try the cases empty cases in your gun. Will the bolt close on them? If not, unlock the lock ring on your die and screw it down slightly (1/8 turn at a time) and size the cases again. Try it again after each adjustment until you get the bolt to close. If you have to screw it down until the die meets the shell holder before the bolt will close, then that particular gun has a chamber at the lower end of headspace tolerance.
If you still can't close the bolt after the above tests, you will have to get info from somebody smarter than me. (which shouldn't be hard) </div></div>
I would disagree with you slightly about just adjusting the die until it touched the shellholder. The above technique was MY original understanding of how to set up the FL die, but I ran into some dangerous Headspace issues because that was oversizing the brass and creating excessive HS. Eventually I had several pieces of brass fail with some pretty drastic signs of overpressure. Read the Reloading 101 sticky for Doc's technique on setting up your FL sizing die that is correctly tailored to your chamber dimensions. I am a convert to that method and it works like a champ. The downside is it only works for a specific gun.
I suppose if you were not running full pressure loads or re-using your brass only for a few loadings, you might be able to get away with just setting the die to bump the shoulder enough so it fits in ALL of the rifles.
Read this thread for what can happen with incorrect headspacing. It was an eye-opener for me as I thought "set it and forget" would work fine. Not.
Incorrect Headspace results </div></div>
If you read my post carefully, you will see that I was NOT telling the OP to start by adjusting the die until it contacted the shell holder. I said "IF you are NOT adjusting your dies down until they touch the shell holder," then maybe he needed to adjust it down in increments until his bolt would close.
Re: 308 reloading problem
case lenght is ok but I did take the die down again readjusted down to the shell plate locked her tight and the emepty case will lock down in the bolt gun however itsa good snug fit is this ok?
case lenght is ok but I did take the die down again readjusted down to the shell plate locked her tight and the emepty case will lock down in the bolt gun however itsa good snug fit is this ok?
Re: 308 reloading problem
It SHOULD work OK, but you will probably need to back off your established loads a bit if they are at/near max. If it is also tight on new factory ammo I would maybe see about getting the headspace checked. It sounds like it is at the very minimum. I would think this would be a good thing accuracy-wise, but could elevate pressures a bit.
It SHOULD work OK, but you will probably need to back off your established loads a bit if they are at/near max. If it is also tight on new factory ammo I would maybe see about getting the headspace checked. It sounds like it is at the very minimum. I would think this would be a good thing accuracy-wise, but could elevate pressures a bit.
