Rifle loading problems

[DragonDJ11]

Ok, I am loading 308 rounds for my Savage 99 lever action. I have read both that you need to full length size and that you can neck size only for this rifle. So I went with only neck sizing and maybe that was my whole problem.

The cases used were previously new rounds that were fired from my rifle and worked perfectly the first time.

So the prep, I went by the book the way I understood it. The way I read everything was that neck sizing did not change case length like full length sizing would. and I had a number of cases that were all just short of Max case length of 2.015. So I did not trim down.

I neck sized and then added primer, powder (beam scale measured every load), bullet seated to 2.750 to make sure mag clearance was not an issue.

Using Hornady 168 gr spbt rounds.

All of the above stayed the same I had four rounds for 5 different powder tests.

The problem I ended up with is that many of the rounds did not completely chamber when closing the lever. I could really squeeze on the lever and close it, but I am certain that it was hitting something and compacting the round. I did not have calipers available to see what was happening at that point.

All in all did not get to test out like I had wanted. Anyone tell me where I am messing up in this regard.

Thanks

[LeadFarmer74]

You probably need to fully resize the brass cartridges.

[Dnele928]

Yes, full length resize. Be sure to lube the cases well before resizing.

[DragonDJ11]

ok, I am open to the education. Why would that be the fix?

[LeadFarmer74]

ok, I am open to the education. Why would that be the fix?

Brass when fired conforms to the chamber. That means it expands in every direction not just the neck. Some of my .223 reloads wouldn't close the bolt. My brass was oversized and not being sized correctly. Resized smaller and no issues. I could be wrong but I bet that your having similiar problem.

Do you have a case gauge?

[DragonDJ11]

Brass when fired conforms to the chamber. That means it expands in every direction not just the neck. Some of my .223 reloads wouldn't close the bolt. My brass was oversized and not being sized correctly. Resized smaller and no issues. I could be wrong but I bet that your having similiar problem.

Do you have a case gauge?

No, that I do not have yet.

[LeadFarmer74]

No, that I do not have yet.

Buy a case gauge first then see what's going on. Your rounds probably aren't in spec and that's why it's hard to chamber them. I don't reload for .308 but the practices are similiar.
Example: my BCM chambers fine. Bought a new mega Arms barrel and the tolerance is about half of my BCM. So much tighter chamber than the BCM. My rounds were out of spec and weren't chambering easily or removing them. Resized again and checked with case gauge all in spec.

[lordmorgul]

Yep need a case gauge.

Fire formed cases with only neck sizing is best left to bolt guns (and only higher quality). The chamber may have slight non-concentricity and you may be putting a non-round case back into a non-round hole. Try inserting a loaded casing part way until it binds, pull it out and turn 1/6 turn, put it back and repeat to see if there is a rotation where it fits smoother.


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[robert101]

Ok, my suggestions. Go back to the bench and size a case. Then insert it into the chamber. It should fit very easily. Your barrel will function as your specific case gauge as well. Then next step is to load a bullet and test into the chamber as well. If both of these steps work, then you have a good chance of your reloads working well in YOUR gun. This is the "plunk test" and you must chamber the round fully. It needs to fall easily and smoothly into the chamber. If not, your dies need further adjustment.

[DragonDJ11]

Ok, so case gauge is next purchase. I did put the empty cases in and they all went right in and out without issue, but possibly not as far as they would with the chamber closed.

[NorCalFocus]

Take one of the cases that won't fit and mark the hell out of it with a sharpie. Case and bullet. Drop it into the chamber, try and close the bolt, then carefully remove it not letting it hit the ground. Then you can see whats scratched up and you can make clear fixes, not guesses.

[Divernhunter]

You need to be able to completely close the action when testing that way.
It is a LEVER action and the do not have the camming strength of a bolt action. That is why it is recommended that loads for lever, semi-auto, single shot actions be full length resized. Heck sometimes they require a small base die to work.

I suggest you full length size or at least set your die to size a bit more. You may need to push the shoulder back more or the body may just be too tight to function well in your rifle.
Last thing: most of the time you can only neck size brass shot in the rifle that you will shoot it again in. You cannot neck size brass you shot in rifle X and then shoot(try) it in rifle Y.

PS--You do not list a location but if you are near me I would be glad to help you with it.

[DragonDJ11]

You need to be able to completely close the action when testing that way.
It is a LEVER action and the do not have the camming strength of a bolt action. That is why it is recommended that loads for lever, semi-auto, single shot actions be full length resized. Heck sometimes they require a small base die to work.

I suggest you full length size or at least set your die to size a bit more. You may need to push the shoulder back more or the body may just be too tight to function well in your rifle.
Last thing: most of the time you can only neck size brass shot in the rifle that you will shoot it again in. You cannot neck size brass you shot in rifle X and then shoot(try) it in rifle Y.

PS--You do not list a location but if you are near me I would be glad to help you with it.

These were all shot from the same rifle. I am in the Redding area. Thanks for the offer. Lots of things to look at and try. But I am thinking I am not going to be able to neck only and will need to full length size. Not then end of the world. lol. But I will be going through all the suggestions and seeing what can be determined to be the final options

[JackEllis]

Bolt action rifles can also be fussy about using once-fired cases. In fact, I have two of them. Even more frustrating, neither one seems to be fond of factory ammunition made using once-fired cases. One in three rounds from a fifty cartridge box of Aguila .223 and most rounds in ten boxes of Prvi Partizan .243 wouldn't chamber in my rifles.

[FLIGHT762]

ALWAYS Full Length size for a lever gun. NEVER neck only.

You are "messing up" by not full length resizing. Make sure you're bumping the case shoulder back far enough when F/L resizing, not bumping the case shoulders back enough will also cause you problems. Make sure your F/L resizing die is properly set.

Doing this properly, your cases will chamber easily.