Excessive Bolt Stick

[diderr]

I've been having problems with bolt stick with my TAC-338. My load is 1.8 grains below max, and no other pressure signs are present. Any thoughts? All cases are FL sized in a RCBS die.

 

[mdmp5]

You are a bit over pressured. Take it down a notch, maybe start with ½ a grain down. Doesn't matter what the loading manual says

 

[Dogtown]

Is it stiff to lock the chamber? You may have an under published max load, but if you're jamming into the lands you'll get a pressure spike.

 

[redbullitt]

Gotta ask, I assume it is only tight after firing?

Agree on the manual. They are estimates. Listen to what your rifle tells you.

Load details please. Will help everyone to be a bit more specific.

A couple things. Do you know specs on the chamber? Have you tried other rounds in the rifle, i.e. store bought ones?

 

[diderr]

Not anywhere near the lands. Have tried some store bought, and does the same. I'm running 96.2 grains on Retumbo. It is launching 250 matchkings @ 2,995. Looking back. Yes. it may be just a wee bit hot...

 

[Dogtown]

96.2 does seem pretty hot to me. I used to use 94 with 250s and that was a pretty stout load.

 

[918v]

Generally, when the bolt sticks the load is too hot. Max is max for the gun used to develop the manual. Your gun is different, that's why you should work-up from min or a known mild recipe.

 

[Clark]

You could have dented lug abutments in the receiver.
You could have soft brass.
You could have the bullet jammed into the lands and you did not do that before.
You could have thick necks that pinch in the chamber.
You could have a cleaning patch stuck in the chamber neck.
You could have a hot day.
You could have a hot load.
You could have the wrong powder.
You could have the wrong bullet.
You could have the wrong rifle.

I have had a stiff bolt with all of the above, but did not do the patch in the chamber until 2013. I blame the leverage of the long tactical bolt handle.