Calguns.net  

Home My iTrader Join the NRA Donate to CGSSA Sponsors CGN Google Search
CA Semiauto Ban(AW)ID Flowchart CA Handgun Ban ID Flowchart CA Shotgun Ban ID Flowchart
Go Back   Calguns.net > INTERESTS AND ACTIVITIES > Ammo and Reloading
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Mark Forums Read

Ammo and Reloading Factory Ammunition, Reloading, Components, Load Data and more.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 04-02-2015, 10:39 AM
dabeechman dabeechman is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 9
iTrader: 0 / 0%
Default Won't chamber after seating projectile

I will preface this by saying that I am new to reloading. I have done a lot of reading, and decided to start off with a Lee single stage press.

I am currently trying to reload .338 and since I am new, I wanted to chamber all of the resized cartridges before seating the projectiles. They all chambered very well, so I went and began adding powder/projectiles.

My problem though, is after seating the projectile to the OAL, about 30% of the rounds do not chamber without what I deem is excessive force.

What could be causing this?

Thanks in advance.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 04-02-2015, 11:01 AM
Fordtrucks Fordtrucks is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Riverside, CA
Posts: 410
iTrader: 30 / 100%
Default

Exsessive COAL, ir ur bullet is hitting the lands.
Or ur case necks need turned.
Take a fired case and squez the neck just enough to hold a bullet loosely, then place a bullet in it by hand sticking way out and chamber slowly, now unchamber and be carefull that the ejector doesn't mess u up, and mic the CAOL. And use that as ur absolute max. U should load .002 lower or less than that reading.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 04-02-2015, 11:04 AM
Dutch Henry's Avatar
Dutch Henry Dutch Henry is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 733
iTrader: 2 / 100%
Default

Not a lot to go on here but if you're crimping the bullets, you are probably crimping too much and crushing or collapsing the shoulder of the case. Use your calipers to check the diameter of the shoulder and neck of the resized and loaded cartridges.

Try raising the seating die to decrease the crimp.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 04-02-2015, 11:15 AM
drdarrin@sbcglobal.net's Avatar
drdarrin@sbcglobal.net drdarrin@sbcglobal.net is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 2,219
iTrader: 31 / 100%
Default

You've provided enough info for some great speculation but a little more will help identify your issue.

You chambered every case after it was sized and you had no problems with any of them?
Did you crimp the bullets?
Did you trim all of these cases to the same length?
Was your seating/crimping die locked down?
Do all the cases have the same head stamp?
__________________
NRA Life Member
GOA Life Member
USMC '71 - '78

"I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything; but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."
Edward Everett Hale
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 04-02-2015, 11:16 AM
LynnJr LynnJr is offline
Calguns Addict
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 7,911
iTrader: 8 / 100%
Default

If the cases fit without any trouble before seating the bullets either the bullets are seated to long or the neck is now too thick.
If the gun is a factory gun the necks shouldn't be too thick but you can look at them and see if they have rub marks from tough chambering.
If its the bullets being seated too long the bullet will have land marks on it from the barrelthe easiest check for this would be to simply take a snug fitting round and seat the bullet 0.020 deeper and see if that solves the problem.
Bullets especially big 338 bullets have larger variances than smaller bullets.
Always seat your bullets using a comparator tool which attaches to a $10 caliper and your guns accuracy will improve greatly.
__________________
Lynn Dragoman, Jr.
Southwest Regional Director
Unlimited Range Shooters Association (URSA)
www.unlimitedrange.org
Not a commercial business.
URSA - Competition starts at 2000 yards!

Last edited by LynnJr; 04-02-2015 at 3:20 PM..
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 04-02-2015, 11:42 AM
Grunt81's Avatar
Grunt81 Grunt81 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 658
iTrader: 2 / 100%
Default

Since you're new to reloading, this is probably the only bullet you've ever used. I'm presuming you trimmed the brass to a uniform length? As other members have mentioned, you need to find out what the maximum OAL for each bullet is, when the ogive of the bullet is touching the grooves (rifling which engraves the bullet) of the barrel. Once you've determined this, substract a few thousandths of inch (I like to subtract 0.005 - 0.010") depending on experimentation for accuracy. Published data usually shows the shortest OAL you'd ever want to load. If you're anywhere near the minimum, the rounds should chamber fine.

Each time I get a new bulet, I seat a dummy round (no primer or powder) incrementally shorter until I can force the bolt closed by hand. If you mess up, and seat too short, then pull the bullet, resize the case, and start over. Another technique is to cut a slit on one side of the case mouth down towards the neck, so a bullet can go in and out with your hand. I like the first technique since there's enough neck tension on the bullet that it doesn't matter if the dummy round ejects harshly.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 04-02-2015, 5:08 PM
Fjold's Avatar
Fjold Fjold is offline
I need a LIFE!!
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Commonwealth of Kentucky
Posts: 22,315
iTrader: 29 / 100%
Default

Your seating die is adjusted down to far.

If the die is screwed in to far the mouth of the case hits the inside step in the die, pushing it back and causing the shoulder to bulge. Your only hitting the longest cases, that's why only a few are hard to chamber.

Screw your seating die out 1/4 of a turn and then readjust the seating stem to set the COAL.
__________________
Frank

One rifle, one planet, Holland's 375

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/Fjold/member8325.png

Life Member NRA, CRPA and SAF
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 04-02-2015, 5:52 PM
Divernhunter Divernhunter is offline
Calguns Addict
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Denair, Ca
Posts: 8,742
iTrader: 13 / 100%
Default

To add to the above adjust the seating die so NOT to crimp then seat the bullets so they do not touch the rifling. As Fjold said back the die up a bit then adjust the seating stem to insert the bullets to the needed depth.
You do not need to crimp the rifle cartridges. I load for 338Win mg and to not crimp. Never had a problem.

If you are located near me(the Modesto area) I can help you out and give you some good data for the 338Win mag. I do not have data for the 338Federal.
__________________
A 30cal will reach out and touch them. A 50cal will kick their butt.
NRA Life Member, NRA certified RSO & Basic Pistol Instructor, Hunter, shooter, reloader
SCI, Manteca Sportsmen Club, Coalinga Rifle Club, Escalon Sportsmans Club, Waterford Sportsman Club & NAHA Member, Madison Society member
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 04-02-2015, 6:53 PM
Mirac's Avatar
Mirac Mirac is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Franklinville, NC.
Posts: 241
iTrader: 0 / 0%
Default

Hope you dont mind me piggybacking..

I've got an issue with that on some 211 Fireball, bulged shoulders. Is there a way to salvage it without pulling all components ?
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 04-02-2015, 8:32 PM
drdarrin@sbcglobal.net's Avatar
drdarrin@sbcglobal.net drdarrin@sbcglobal.net is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 2,219
iTrader: 31 / 100%
Default

OP must have moved on...
__________________
NRA Life Member
GOA Life Member
USMC '71 - '78

"I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything; but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."
Edward Everett Hale
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 04-02-2015, 9:00 PM
Enfield47's Avatar
Enfield47 Enfield47 is offline
Calguns Addict
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Land of the free
Posts: 6,385
iTrader: 4 / 100%
Default

As others have stated, it's most likely your seating die causing the problem. Unscrew it a quarter turn than you should be fine. I had a similar issue happen to me and the seating die was the culprit.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mirac View Post
I've got an issue with that on some 211 Fireball, bulged shoulders. Is there a way to salvage it without pulling all components ?
If you can get them to chamber, firing will fix it for you. As I stated above, I had 50 cases that had slightly bulged shoulders. I was able to chamber them in my Savage 99 and they worked just fine. If they won't chamber then you will need to pull them apart and resize the cases.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 04-03-2015, 8:48 PM
LynnJr LynnJr is offline
Calguns Addict
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 7,911
iTrader: 8 / 100%
Default

Here is a quick way to test wether your seating die is screwed down too far.
Pull a bullet out of a tight round and after dumping out the powder chamber it in the rifle.
If its still hard to chamber its most likely the seating die.

If it chambers easily its the seating depth
__________________
Lynn Dragoman, Jr.
Southwest Regional Director
Unlimited Range Shooters Association (URSA)
www.unlimitedrange.org
Not a commercial business.
URSA - Competition starts at 2000 yards!
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 04-04-2015, 10:42 AM
Fjold's Avatar
Fjold Fjold is offline
I need a LIFE!!
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Commonwealth of Kentucky
Posts: 22,315
iTrader: 29 / 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mirac View Post
Hope you dont mind me piggybacking..

I've got an issue with that on some 211 Fireball, bulged shoulders. Is there a way to salvage it without pulling all components ?
Pull the bullets, dump out the powder and then remove the decapping pin from the expander plug. Resize the brass case and you can reload the cartridge.

If the decapping pin won't come out of the expander plug, you're going to have to slowly press out the primer and throw it away as it will deform the primer anvil when you press it out. A safer way to do it is to spray a little oil in the flash hole to inert the primer prior to pressing it out but I usually just press them out slowly.
__________________
Frank

One rifle, one planet, Holland's 375

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/Fjold/member8325.png

Life Member NRA, CRPA and SAF
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 04-04-2015, 11:29 AM
Lucky Scott's Avatar
Lucky Scott Lucky Scott is offline
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: So Cal.
Posts: 2,592
iTrader: 57 / 100%
Default

"Your seating die is adjusted down to far.

If the die is screwed in to far the mouth of the case hits the inside step in the die, pushing it back and causing the shoulder to bulge. Your only hitting the longest cases, that's why only a few are hard to chamber.

Screw your seating die out 1/4 of a turn and then readjust the seating stem to set the COAL."


__________________

So, the entire die get's screwed out about a 1/4 turn, and then the seating stem gets screwed in until the COAL is right, correct?
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 04-04-2015, 2:07 PM
Fjold's Avatar
Fjold Fjold is offline
I need a LIFE!!
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Commonwealth of Kentucky
Posts: 22,315
iTrader: 29 / 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky Scott View Post
So, the entire die get's screwed out about a 1/4 turn, and then the seating stem gets screwed in until the COAL is right, correct?
Yes
__________________
Frank

One rifle, one planet, Holland's 375

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/Fjold/member8325.png

Life Member NRA, CRPA and SAF
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 04-04-2015, 3:59 PM
rero360 rero360 is offline
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Duarte
Posts: 3,923
iTrader: 14 / 100%
Default

One other possible issue, it would require the OP to chamber one of the difficult rounds and then eject it without firing, is to look at the sides of the bullet just in front of where it seats in the case, if there is a bunch of scratches on just one side of the bullet then it means that the bullet isn't being seated concentrically to the bore.

I had this issue when I first got into reloading for .308 using Lee dies and a Lee progressive press. I switched to an RCBS single stage press and better dies and the problem went away. Groups shrank as well.
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 04-04-2015, 4:53 PM
2shotjoe's Avatar
2shotjoe 2shotjoe is offline
CGN/CGSSA Contributor
CGN Contributor
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: (╯°o°)╯︵ ┻━┻
Posts: 25,603
iTrader: 14 / 100%
Default

Over crimp can cause that. Makes the neck push into the body of the case and mushrooms.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kestryll View Post
..you're kind of a sad excuse for an attorney...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Libertarian777 View Post
...Don't pick either side....
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 04-04-2015, 7:21 PM
dabeechman dabeechman is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 9
iTrader: 0 / 0%
Default

Thank you all for you responses. I have been out of town for the Easter holiday, but I am going to check some of your suggestions and advice tonight.

To answer a few questions:

Yes, I chambered every cartridge after initial sizing and they all chambered smoothly.
I did not check COAL, so that will be the first thing that I set up tonight.
Every cartridge was trimmed to length.
Cases are all the same manufacturer.
I AM crimping.

All processes were followed by the Lee instructions, so maybe they are a general set of instructions, but I'm better served following the advice of all the experienced gentlemen here.

So I'll first check the COAL and see how that compares to the rounds that will not chamber and report back.

Thanks all.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 04-05-2015, 2:20 AM
dabeechman dabeechman is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 9
iTrader: 0 / 0%
Default

I went ahead and checked most everything that you gentlemen asked me to and did the best I could for being as late as it is...haha. I couldn't get a good OAL reading, so I'll have to work on that tomorrow.

I did sharpie the bullet though, and this is what it showed...
Attached Images
File Type: jpg image.jpg (90.2 KB, 44 views)
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 04-05-2015, 5:51 AM
J-cat J-cat is offline
Calguns Addict
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: IE
Posts: 6,614
iTrader: 74 / 100%
Default

Stop crimping.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 04-05-2015, 9:44 AM
Metal God's Avatar
Metal God Metal God is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,836
iTrader: 0 / 0%
Default

If seating and crimping in the same step . You could be buckling the shoulder a tad with a heavy crimp or if all cases are not trimmed to the exact same length . As said above . It's not likely you need to crimp .



Look familiar ??? I had this issue with a very fouled throat/lead . It looked very much like your issue

Also with a fouled lead/throat and the expander ball of the die pulling the neck off axis to the case body you could have the bullet contact the sides of the throat when chambered because the bullet is off axis to the case and bore . Roll your case on it's side while at the same time looking straight on to the bullet tip . Can you see any wobble ? If off by only a couple thousandths you will not see it but if its off by a lot you will notice
__________________
Tolerate
allow the existence, occurrence, or practice of (something that one does not necessarily like or agree with) without interference.

Anyone else find it sad that those who preach tolerance CAN'T allow the existence, occurrence, or practice of (something that they do not necessarily like or agree with) without interference.

I write almost everything in a jovial manner regardless of content . If that's not how you took it please try again

Last edited by Metal God; 04-05-2015 at 4:38 PM..
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 04-05-2015, 9:48 AM
2shotjoe's Avatar
2shotjoe 2shotjoe is offline
CGN/CGSSA Contributor
CGN Contributor
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: (╯°o°)╯︵ ┻━┻
Posts: 25,603
iTrader: 14 / 100%
Default

here is some over crimping in different lengths.

Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 04-05-2015, 9:52 AM
2shotjoe's Avatar
2shotjoe 2shotjoe is offline
CGN/CGSSA Contributor
CGN Contributor
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: (╯°o°)╯︵ ┻━┻
Posts: 25,603
iTrader: 14 / 100%
Default

Left, over crimp;right, chambers and ejects.

Attachment 403357

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kestryll View Post
..you're kind of a sad excuse for an attorney...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Libertarian777 View Post
...Don't pick either side....

Last edited by 2shotjoe; 01-20-2016 at 1:52 PM..
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 04-05-2015, 11:30 AM
dabeechman dabeechman is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 9
iTrader: 0 / 0%
Default

I loaded 3 more rounds today with every casing going through the same identical process. 2 chambered perfectly without any of the above pictured run out, and one was a little more snug than the othe two, but without any noticable runout.

Why would two fire formed rounds chamber smoother than the other round when they all went through the same sizing/trimming/seating (no crimp this time) process?
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 04-05-2015, 12:07 PM
J-cat J-cat is offline
Calguns Addict
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: IE
Posts: 6,614
iTrader: 74 / 100%
Default

Bump the shoulder a bit more. Or get a better shoulder bumping setup. Each case is different. Some spring back more, some a bit less. If you are close, some will be more snug, others more loose.
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 04-05-2015, 12:33 PM
Metal God's Avatar
Metal God Metal God is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,836
iTrader: 0 / 0%
Default

I missed the part that said you were using fire formed cases and only neck sizing . Yes cases can fire form differently from case to case . Some cases will spring back more then others when fired . So it is not uncommon for a case to fit a little tighter then others .

What firearm are these cases fire formed too ?
__________________
Tolerate
allow the existence, occurrence, or practice of (something that one does not necessarily like or agree with) without interference.

Anyone else find it sad that those who preach tolerance CAN'T allow the existence, occurrence, or practice of (something that they do not necessarily like or agree with) without interference.

I write almost everything in a jovial manner regardless of content . If that's not how you took it please try again
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 04-07-2015, 2:21 PM
bruce381's Avatar
bruce381 bruce381 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Millbrae, CA
Posts: 2,384
iTrader: 0 / 0%
Default

I AM crimping
stop that you are bulging the neck
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 04-07-2015, 5:54 PM
dabeechman dabeechman is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 9
iTrader: 0 / 0%
Default

Thanks all, I'll follow up once I hand load the next set. Really appreciate all of the advice!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 5:53 PM.




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Proudly hosted by GeoVario the Premier 2A host.
Calguns.net, the 'Calguns' name and all associated variants and logos are ® Trademark and © Copyright 2002-2021, Calguns.net an Incorporated Company All Rights Reserved.
All opinions, statements and remarks made by Calguns.net on this web site and elsewhere are solely attributable to Calguns.net.



Seams2SewBySusy