Heavy bolt with reloads

[Hawk45]

Have some reloads that were from a previous rifle I had. I got a new .308 Savage setup and the old reloads I did for my Rem 700 are causing a heavy bolt when closing. I'm not trying to crush them in there but it does take a bit more effort to close the bolt. I'm sure it's b/c the 700 had a bit bigger chamber and I don't think I bumped the shoulder on them last time I shot them and reloaded. I verified with Go, NOGO gages that the Savage is in spec and chambers other factory rounds with nice light bolt closing.

My question is if I should shoot them or pull them and redo them? I have 100 rounds loaded for the old gun. I don't want to do any damage to the gun/bolt/myself by putting excess pressure on the brass or bolt lugs. So my thought is to pull them (but such a pain in the ass). But I'd rather do that than cause a major failure.

Also, I wasn't sure if anyone had a trick on bumping the shoulder of a loaded round if done gently. I'm using Lee dies and don't see how possible.. or if safe.

Just wanted to get your thoughts before moving forward. If you don't think will be a big problem, I'll shoot them and then do the whole reloading string on the brass the next round. But if you advise against.. I guess I'll pull'um over time and start a fresh batch of reloads.

Thanks,
John

 

[Teggy1]

Re: Heavy bolt with reloads

IMHO, I would do a proper load development, to ensure your "old" reloads won't be running to hot for your new rifle.

On the other hand, if your not running near max or over max charge on the old reloads, and your not beating the bolt closed with a hammer, you should be able to shoot them. But it's your rifle, if replacing your rifle outweighs your wanting to pull bullets, that's your call .

That being said, your "old" reloads may not shoot the same, or as well in the new rifle, then your wasting projectiles and powder.
How many do you have?
Maybe an excuse to invest in a camlock bullet puller, they seem to work pretty well, watching a buddy use one.

As far as bumping shoulders back, more than a few have done that. Remove your decapping rod and expander and run them through the sizer again.

 

[samnev]

Re: Heavy bolt with reloads

I'd pull the bullets since you only have 100 to do. The I'd reset my dies so that you had a roll over (extra pressure on the end of the resize) and use a case length gauge to make sure the case is still in spec. Then try the case in you Savage to make sure the bolt closes normally. Another thought could the old rounds have the bullets set to far out a pushing up against the rifling be the cause of the hard bolt closure? A quick check of you COAL will check that out.

 

[redbullitt]

Re: Heavy bolt with reloads

+1 on pulling them and redoing the load. 100 isn't too bad, especially if you use a good puller.

For me it just wouldn't be worth the risk of high pressure. Besides, that rifle is going to like a different load than your other one. Just shooting your old ones wont get you any closer to your new rifle's sweet spot.

 

[Mark K]

Re: Heavy bolt with reloads

I don't own a Savage so i don't know if this would work or if it is a good idea. But I thought that the headspace on a savage could be set. If so, couldn't you set the headspace a little further out,shoot these rounds, and then reset it back afterwards when you want to shoot other rounds?

 

[Mike Casselton]

Re: Heavy bolt with reloads

I have the same issue on a Savage 223 I just got. Sold an XP-100 and kept the loaded ammo. (Loads are under maximum and should pose no problem for the new gun) Yesterday I tried to chamber a fired case and it was sticky around the web area. Figured an unfired round would fit. Same problem.

Lucky for you that you only have 100 rounds. I have in excess of 500 that may need to be pulled. Maybe they will fit in my Dad's 223...

 

[former naval person]

Re: Heavy bolt with reloads

A "Body" die that doesn't touch the neck will do the trick. And since you may have need for one later in your career of reloading and shooting different guns, I'd get the small base body die. JMHO

 

[Hawk45]

Re: Heavy bolt with reloads

Just a follow-up since the posting. And thanks for all the comments and help.

I decided I'm just going to order the Hornady Bullet puller and some collers and do it right and safe. I'm sure it will get plenty of use in the future as well. I tried an old kenetic puller a buddy had and didn't work, so looks like I'll need to use something with a little more force.

Some things mentioned above I did try:
-reset the barrel for headspace: I did this and when I got them to fit, the NOGO gauge wouldn't work. I don't have a FIELD gauge, so I scrapped that idea and reset to proper spec with the GO/NOGO gauges.

-Body Die: I already have one of these and gave it a shot, but still rounds wouldn't chamber. I'm pretty sure it's the shoulder on the case causing the problem.
Bullet lenght: I have another box of rounds I reloaded to the same spec but were never fired out of the old gun and reloaded again. They worked just fine with half-way decent results. 1.25 MOA for 10 rounds at 100yds. The case dimensions and cartridge dimensions are the same for non-700-fired and 700-fired except for the shoulder.

So thanks again for all the feedback and suggestions. We'll start from square one once I get them pulled. Already go the new specs for the chamber, COL already for the new build.

Cheers,
John