Sticky bolt lift?

[SavageLapua]

K, here's the deal, I've been working on dialing in a load for my 338 LM. As per joediesel's advice, I ended up with 92 gr of H1000 to go with my 300gr Bergers. I'm using Redding Type S Match Bushing Neck Sizing dies.

Anyways, I didn't have an issue with "Sticky bolt lift" before (new brass). On my last set of reloads, they were neck sized only. Went to the range this past Sunday and I noticed that every shot, I had sticky bolt lift...

Should I try bumping the shoulder back? If so, by how much? And how would I measure this properly"

 

[rpk762]

Re: Sticky bolt lift?

You can use a 45acp casing fit over the neck of the 338lm brass. Measure bottom of the 338lm to the bottom of the 45cassing then remove the length of the 45 brass to get your shoulder length. You can also cut down a 308 or similar casing. Just square up the new mouth on your trimmer and you are set. Remember to remove primers from both. They can affect your measurements.

I have a special 45 casing that was trimmed and be burred and its length is scribed on its side with electric pen. That way I always have the same tool for the job. I also drilled out the primer pocket pretty large.

 

[MitchAlsup]

Re: Sticky bolt lift?

The general rule of thumb when pushing shoulders back is to go 0.002".

 

[diego-ted]

Re: Sticky bolt lift?

Which brass? I had a SB reloading with Hornady brass even full sizEd. I only use 87gr of h1000 and the load is good to a mile!

 

[SavageLapua]

Re: Sticky bolt lift?

Lapua brass. I'm looking at cutting back to that 87gr neck of the woods... However, I do like the speed, 2750 ish... I never had the issue until Sunday, first time shooting neck sized brass...

 

[jagged77]

Re: Sticky bolt lift?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SavageLapua</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I never had the issue until Sunday, first time shooting neck sized brass... </div></div>

I think you answered your own question...

If you haven't got a gauge handy, the poor mans method would be to start out with the FL die just touching the shell holder then size a piece. Chamber and extract and note if there was any or much resistance. If there is then screw the die in a qtr turn and then repeat. Do this until you get no resistance on chambering, you know then that the shoulders have been bumped back just enough.

 

[SavageLapua]

Re: Sticky bolt lift?

Yeah... I realize that... My die set came with a Body die, I'd use that to bump the shoulder, right? And only 0.001"-0.002", yeah? I want to make sure that I'm using the proper methods. I more or less want to confirm that I'm on the right track. (I've never been this technical with reloading)

 

[jagged77]

Re: Sticky bolt lift?

The load you have picked is likely to give you a sticky bolt lift, it certainly does in mine (although I realise all guns are different in this regard).

If you want to neck size then do it in conjunction with the body die - as you say you 0.001" - 0.002" on the shoulder will be fine. I bet you will also find that its the the body of the case and not just the shoulder that's causing the stickyness too.

The body die is great piece of kit and is a good method of producing accurate straight ammo along with a neck die. I use it in a variety of calibers, although for .338 I just use a straight forward FL Forster.