Buddy of mine has a SIG built 7.62x51, & he can't get a FL resized brass to chamber. New brass chambers fine. Goes in about 2/3 in, & jams. Anything he can do other than have the chamber reamed?
SIG 7.62x51 chamber
- Thread starter Bigwheels
- Start date
Tell your buddy to get a Hornady Cartridge Case Headspace Gauge and measure the fired length and the resized length of the case. Its possible when full length resizing that the case can end up longer from the shoulder of the case to the base after resizing. Sometimes the shell holder can be too tall or the die can be too long and the shoulder does not get pushed back far enough. Meaning he could have a defective shell holder or die and measuring the case before and after resizing will give the answer.
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It's very possible that your friend just doesn't have his F/L die adjusted properly in his press. I only have one rifle that required a Small base die, a Steyr SSG 69. All of the rest of my 308's ( SR-25, GAP 10 40XBKS, snug chambered Palma chambered 308 bolt gun and 2- M-1 A's ) will chamber using a regular F/L die.
Before going out and buying another die, Have your friend make up a few dummy rounds, turning the F/L die in a bit more. Sometimes, all it takes is turning the F/L die in another 1-12th / 1/24th of a turn to get it right.
A case gauge like bigedp51 suggested can tell you right away what the issue is. The Hornady Headspace / shoulder bump gauge was the best tool investment I made. You'll see the numbers on your caliper.
Before going out and buying another die, Have your friend make up a few dummy rounds, turning the F/L die in a bit more. Sometimes, all it takes is turning the F/L die in another 1-12th / 1/24th of a turn to get it right.
A case gauge like bigedp51 suggested can tell you right away what the issue is. The Hornady Headspace / shoulder bump gauge was the best tool investment I made. You'll see the numbers on your caliper.
The Hornady gauge is more a tool for precision reloaders and not really essential in this situation. A base die and a shell holder for it should cost your friend about $50 and it will cure the problem. If you buy the gauge, you will still need to buy the die. Even if the shoulder was the cause, the base die is what you need to fix it.
