I am having trouble getting my LMT MWS.308 to chamber my reloaded cartidges. I have checked all measurements and headspace and compaired them to factory ammo which are as far as I can tell identical to my reloads. The rifle will eat anything factory with zero problems, probably 2500 rounds so far. Has anyone experienced anything like this with their LMT or other .308 AR platform? PS reloads function flawlessly in any of my bolt actions.
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Reloading 308 for my LMT MWS
- Thread starter dameronp654
- Start date
Re: Reloading 308 for my LMT MWS
Yes!
I have had the same problem and the chamber is tight. You need to full length resize all brass you shoot, even virgin brass. And double check your headspace, and be sure your neck diameter is in spec as your brass gets older, even check the new brass after you load it.
If you stick a .308 case, you will curse long and loud.
Yes!
I have had the same problem and the chamber is tight. You need to full length resize all brass you shoot, even virgin brass. And double check your headspace, and be sure your neck diameter is in spec as your brass gets older, even check the new brass after you load it.
If you stick a .308 case, you will curse long and loud.
Re: Reloading 308 for my LMT MWS
That's very unusual as I have had absolutely no problems with reloading for the two I've owned. Are you full length resizing?
That's very unusual as I have had absolutely no problems with reloading for the two I've owned. Are you full length resizing?
Re: Reloading 308 for my LMT MWS
Yes I am full length seizing using Hornady dies and Lee factory crimp die. Sized brass chambers fine but once loaded and crimped bolt won't rotate to lockup. Can't tell if Lee crimp die causes case neck to grow but doesn't look like it. Puzzled but love the rifle none the less.
Yes I am full length seizing using Hornady dies and Lee factory crimp die. Sized brass chambers fine but once loaded and crimped bolt won't rotate to lockup. Can't tell if Lee crimp die causes case neck to grow but doesn't look like it. Puzzled but love the rifle none the less.
Re: Reloading 308 for my LMT MWS
Sounds like you are covering all the bases. I would start by measuring the base of your reload and the neck. One or both may be sizing a bit large. Also check the OAL of your load against a reliable factory load you have been shooting.
You might also want to watch your round being stripped out of the magazine and into the chamber and see if the bullets you are using are slowing the bolt down as it feeds into the chamber.
Clean your chamber and barrel?
Sounds like you are covering all the bases. I would start by measuring the base of your reload and the neck. One or both may be sizing a bit large. Also check the OAL of your load against a reliable factory load you have been shooting.
You might also want to watch your round being stripped out of the magazine and into the chamber and see if the bullets you are using are slowing the bolt down as it feeds into the chamber.
Clean your chamber and barrel?
Re: Reloading 308 for my LMT MWS
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 308junkie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes I am full length seizing using Hornady dies and Lee factory crimp die. Sized brass chambers fine but once loaded and crimped bolt won't rotate to lockup. Can't tell if Lee crimp die causes case neck to grow but doesn't look like it. Puzzled but love the rifle none the less. </div></div>
I would try some without the crimp die also make sure they are going 100% into the die. Small base resizing die might be an idea as well.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 308junkie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes I am full length seizing using Hornady dies and Lee factory crimp die. Sized brass chambers fine but once loaded and crimped bolt won't rotate to lockup. Can't tell if Lee crimp die causes case neck to grow but doesn't look like it. Puzzled but love the rifle none the less. </div></div>
I would try some without the crimp die also make sure they are going 100% into the die. Small base resizing die might be an idea as well.
Re: Reloading 308 for my LMT MWS
My MWS has never had a factory load in it to my recollection. I full-length resize with a standard RCBS .308 die. Never had a failure to feed with either 16" or 18" barrel. I also have never shot a crimped load. Might measure your loads very carefully and compare to good factory ammo.
My MWS has never had a factory load in it to my recollection. I full-length resize with a standard RCBS .308 die. Never had a failure to feed with either 16" or 18" barrel. I also have never shot a crimped load. Might measure your loads very carefully and compare to good factory ammo.
Re: Reloading 308 for my LMT MWS
I am useing virgin and once fired winchester brass trimed to 2.005"-2.000". Hornady full length sizeing die set to contact shell holder at top of stroke which should give me the largest allowable head space. Bullets are honady a-max 178gr seated to 2.195",well within max C.O.L. Crimped useing Lee factory crimp die. Would the polomer tip om the a-max bullets slow carrier travel so much as to not allow lockup?
I am useing virgin and once fired winchester brass trimed to 2.005"-2.000". Hornady full length sizeing die set to contact shell holder at top of stroke which should give me the largest allowable head space. Bullets are honady a-max 178gr seated to 2.195",well within max C.O.L. Crimped useing Lee factory crimp die. Would the polomer tip om the a-max bullets slow carrier travel so much as to not allow lockup?
Re: Reloading 308 for my LMT MWS
Also does the case neck thicken as the brass is sized. should I be turning the neck after first resize? second resize? third resize?
Also does the case neck thicken as the brass is sized. should I be turning the neck after first resize? second resize? third resize?
Re: Reloading 308 for my LMT MWS
.308 junkie: if your shell length is 2.005 and your over all is 2.195 with a 175 pill, you don't have much bullet (.19") sticking out. This might have something to do with your feeding issues.. Normal COAL is around 2.80" ?
.308 junkie: if your shell length is 2.005 and your over all is 2.195 with a 175 pill, you don't have much bullet (.19") sticking out. This might have something to do with your feeding issues.. Normal COAL is around 2.80" ?
Re: Reloading 308 for my LMT MWS
2.195 has got to be to the ogive.
The crimping die can actually bulge the neck if not adjusted properly.
Try some with out the crimp. Its not absolutely necessary any how.
2.195 has got to be to the ogive.
The crimping die can actually bulge the neck if not adjusted properly.
Try some with out the crimp. Its not absolutely necessary any how.
Re: Reloading 308 for my LMT MWS
I would never recommend not crimping for any gas gun! You need proper tension either from expander ball or crimp in any semi-auto rifle. If crimping is distorting the neck use a taper crimp (I think Lee is a taper crimp). Small based dies are often preferred in semis because they stop 99 percent of all these headaches. My experience with reloading for the LMT has been very pleasant and shocking as it seems to shoot and run anything that is thrown at it.
I would never recommend not crimping for any gas gun! You need proper tension either from expander ball or crimp in any semi-auto rifle. If crimping is distorting the neck use a taper crimp (I think Lee is a taper crimp). Small based dies are often preferred in semis because they stop 99 percent of all these headaches. My experience with reloading for the LMT has been very pleasant and shocking as it seems to shoot and run anything that is thrown at it.
Re: Reloading 308 for my LMT MWS
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cmonroe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would never recommend not crimping for any gas gun! You need proper tension either from expander ball or crimp in any semi-auto rifle. If crimping is distorting the neck use a taper crimp (I think Lee is a taper crimp). Small based dies are often preferred in semis because they stop 99 percent of all these headaches. My experience with reloading for the LMT has been very pleasant and shocking as it seems to shoot and run anything that is thrown at it. </div></div>
I agree, the LMT has really impressed me!
Maybe I was not clear. Im not recommending against a crimp, just saying he could try some with out it, to see if that fixes his problem.
On a side note your LMT is CRAP! J/K J/K LOL.
When I seen your 260 ringing steel beyond 1 K, thats what made me buy mine.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cmonroe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would never recommend not crimping for any gas gun! You need proper tension either from expander ball or crimp in any semi-auto rifle. If crimping is distorting the neck use a taper crimp (I think Lee is a taper crimp). Small based dies are often preferred in semis because they stop 99 percent of all these headaches. My experience with reloading for the LMT has been very pleasant and shocking as it seems to shoot and run anything that is thrown at it. </div></div>
I agree, the LMT has really impressed me!
Maybe I was not clear. Im not recommending against a crimp, just saying he could try some with out it, to see if that fixes his problem.
On a side note your LMT is CRAP! J/K J/K LOL.
When I seen your 260 ringing steel beyond 1 K, thats what made me buy mine.
Re: Reloading 308 for my LMT MWS
Understood, maybe I wasn't clear either, I seldom crimp rounds but prefer to work on proper bullet retention with either bushing style dies or different size expander balls. this gives a much longer linear surface and is less likely to create run-out.
Understood, maybe I wasn't clear either, I seldom crimp rounds but prefer to work on proper bullet retention with either bushing style dies or different size expander balls. this gives a much longer linear surface and is less likely to create run-out.
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