Brass getting stuck in chamber

[cbr9290318]

Hoping for a little wisdom here. I have about 2,000 .308 cases that were "once fired" that I bought off another calgunner. They are head stamped "F C". I full length sized them and loaded them with a starting load, 150 gr. projectile over 43 grains of IMR 4064, in order to fire form them.

About 10 out of 100 were very hard to chamber and near impossible to remove from the chamber. The photo indicates the marks where the brass is tight to the chamber at the base of the case. I am using them in a new Savage 10 FCP HS. I had probably less than 25 rounds through the rifle but factory loads functioned great. I've cleaned the chamber as best I can.

What say you, should I throw out at least the ones that I can find that are tight and keep the rest of the brass? I don't see how sizing them again is going to help at all. Thank you!

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[highpower790]

Use a small base die!

[cbr9290318]

Use a small base die!

Thanks, I will have to get a hold of one and give that a shot.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[baih777]

Which press do you have ?
Which dies are you using ?

That is good brass to reload. Don't throw any away yet. I reload that brass.
Did you use a case guage ?
Or did you check them after resizing with your rifle ?

[JackEllis]

It's possible you "over sized" the cases, which is probably caused by screwing the sizing die down too far. Over sizing shortens a case in the critical dimension between the base of the case and a datum on the shoulder. When you fire a loaded cartridge made with a case that's oversized, the case can bulge.

Get yourself a Hornady Headspace Comparator.

[cbr9290318]

Which press do you have ?
Which dies are you using ?

That is good brass to reload. Don't throw any away yet. I reload that brass.
Did you use a case guage ?
Or did you check them after resizing with your rifle ?

I am using a Lee classic turret with the Lee full length sizing die (I believe it was the pace setter kit).

I did not use a case gauge, that is also on my list now... I spot checked them in my rifle with success but I went ahead a loaded 200 rounds and finally got to the range today and found the issues. Thank you

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[cbr9290318]

It's possible you "over sized" the cases, which is probably caused by screwing the sizing die down too far. Over sizing shortens a case in the critical dimension between the base of the case and a datum on the shoulder. When you fire a loaded cartridge made with a case that's oversized, the case can bulge.

Get yourself a Hornady Headspace Comparator.

I suppose this is possible... I have reloaded a lot of 223 and 9mm (both without sizing issues, using the Lee dies) on this same press but haven't done a lot of 308. Thank you

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[maxx03]

How far is the die from the shellholder when you raise the ram on your press?

[cbr9290318]

How far is the die from the shellholder when you raise the ram on your press?

The shell holder touches the die... I think this is correct per Lee's directions...?

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[LynnJr]

Small base die as HighPower 790 already posted and run EVERY piece of brass through your rifle before loading them.

[cbr9290318]

Small base die as HighPower 790 already posted and run EVERY piece of brass through your rifle before loading them.

Is there a particular brand or model that you recommend that I can use with the Lee classic turret?

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[highpower790]

Is there a particular brand or model that you recommend that I can use with the Lee classic turret?

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

I use RCBS products and like the die they make ,part #15531.

[pacrat]

The shell holder touches the die... I think this is correct per Lee's directions...?

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Yes, that is correct as per all makers FL die instructions. They do that so the finished cartridge will be within SAAMI spec. and fit any production rifle of that caliber. It is not acknowledged as the correct way to size cases for a "given rifle's chamber".

But due to the symmetry between the die base, its tapered entrance, and the SH. No standard FL die sizes to the base of the case. They all stop about where your "swelled ring" is at.

Most likely cause of your bulged webs on cases. Is that the cartridges were fired in military rifle/MG or a commercial rifle with a very liberal chamber. The SB sizing die already mentioned should resolve the issue.

[cbr9290318]

I use RCBS products and like the die they make ,part #15531.

Thank you!

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[cbr9290318]

Yes, that is correct as per all makers FL die instructions. They do that so the finished cartridge will be within SAAMI spec. and fit any production rifle of that caliber. It is not acknowledged as the correct way to size cases for a "given rifle's chamber".



But due to the symmetry between the die base, its tapered entrance, and the SH. No standard FL die sizes to the base of the case. They all stop about where your "swelled ring" is at.



Most likely cause of your bulged webs on cases. Is that the cartridges were fired in military rifle/MG or a commercial rifle with a very liberal chamber. The SB sizing die already mentioned should resolve the issue.

Makes sense. I did get the impression that the brass was first fired from machine gun.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk