Sticky bolt closing, case lube issue??

[rm1911]

This is going to sound like a stupid question. Last night I'm at the range and sighting in for a pig hunt next week. I was shooting my sporterized 03A3 (no I didn't cut it. I bought it that way 25 years ago ) and also my son's marlin xl7. Both '06. Anyways both rifles had a few issues closing bolt and I'm suspecting that I left a little case lube on my reloads.

I've not really had this problem before and the marlin was more problematic than the 03. I'm suspecting a sporting chamber is a little tighter than an old military chamber.

Otherwise rounds shot great and we're zeroed to hunt. Was probably case lube?

Brass was full length sized and seated to OAL 3.3. No marks on bullets from lands. Bullet was nosler e-tip 150gr, 48gr IMR4895.

Other thing I noticed is that I was shooting some cast lead hunter's supply .311 bullets with trail boss. Loaded fine in 03 and shot great out if it but wouldn't load in marlin. Guessing it's the tighter chamber.

The marlin is a sweet gun. Really liking it. Got a great deal for it on a ppt a couple months back.

[postal]

I would check the case length. They might need a trim.

[Multra]

Check case length and base to ogive. Case lube shouldn't really make it tough unless you put a ton of the thick wax stuff on the rounds. Make sure you are pushing the bolt forward fully before turning the bolt, it you turn too early it can cause the bolt to bind up.

[mark501w]

Gun clean? Trim length , actually FL sized? You may need a SB die. Those .311 slugs should be sized around .308-..309 depending on barrel size .

[rm1911]

Sticky bolt closing, case lube issue??

I would check the case length. They might need a trim.

That's a good idea. I was loading new brass. Didn't think to trim it.

As for the lead, having done alot research on it, it's more a matter of the chamber and the leade (I think that's what it was called). Like a forcing come on a revolver. I read that lots of guys shoot .311's through .308 bores and get good results. I had shot some .309's and they keyholed. The lead wouldn't even chamber in the marlin and when I pulled it out te bullet showed some scraping. Not so on the 03.

The .311's went through without a hitch. And got nice round holes.

I was more concerned about the sticky bolt on close. And case length seems a likely culprit.

[mark501w]

If it works it's good.

[SMarquez]

I always re-size and check case length after with new brass. Sometimes the case necks are dinged straight out of the box. (or bag)

[LynnJr]

In general tight on closing means the shoulder isn't bumped enough and tight on opening means the base is not sized enough.

[hambam105]

Full length resize, trim, load, and good crimp.

[russ69]

Clean the chamber area real good. Next strip the bolt, clean and re-lube. Also your brass should not have any case lube left on them. That makes for very high bolt thrust loads. Tumble your brass clean after sizing.

[ar15barrels]

both rifles had a few issues closing bolt on my reloads.

Brass was full length sized

EXACTLY how much headspace do you have between the case head and the bolt face in each rifle?
What tools/methods do you use to measure your shoulder lengths?