Thread: Newby reloading question. Tight bolt cases

Hey guys. I have recently been buying reloading equipment as I can for reloading a 338 Lapua. I have done a small amount of reloading years ago for a 7mm08 bit wasn't exactly precision shooting. I brought a bunch of once fired Norma brass. Set up my deprime and full length sizing die as per instructional and proceeded to lube the cases, deprime and size them. The case trimmed, deburred, chamferred and pocket cleaned. Then tumbled and ultrasonic cleaned shiny like new. Then before loading the tried some in my rifle and bolt was very tight to close and cases were getting stuck in chamber. I tried to find some info and wound sizing die slightly further down so they are going all the way in. Re-ran them thru and still have about 8 out of 50 tight. The bolt is able to close but certainly not loose. Is there another trick? I am using Lee Dies that are brand new but do I need to look at something else? Just want to get it right before loading them. Thanks in advance any help appreciated

Is the chamber clean?

Originally Posted by Kiwi Sapper

Is the chamber clean?

I have run the brushes through the barrel after each use but maybe need a chamber brush or something of the likes? Again new to tho so open to any advise

Try running the tight ones through the sizing die again, pausing for a moment when the case is fully into the die.
You should test for correct fit to chamber by first removing the firing pin from the bolt. The sizing is good when the
bolt closes with no noticeable downward pressure. Make sure you clean all the lube off the case before doing the chamber check.

Originally Posted by NZ_noddy

Try running the tight ones through the sizing die again, pausing for a moment when the case is fully into the die.
You should test for correct fit to chamber by first removing the firing pin from the bolt. The sizing is good when the
bolt closes with no noticeable downward pressure. Make sure you clean all the lube off the case before doing the chamber check.

Thanks for the advise. I ran them through the die again with holding pressure for a few moments and have tumbled after sizing to hopefully remove any lube etc. But havent tried without the firing pin so will look into that in the future too. Thanks

Depending on the chamber the original brass was fired in, it might not be able to be sized down enough, diameter wise, to fit into your chamber after it springs back.

This the issue with brass fired in one chamber then put into another, small base dies will generally fix it

FWIW Lapua brass is a better bet in the 338 Lapua Mag than Norma if you want top performance.

Originally Posted by Kiwi Greg

Depending on the chamber the original brass was fired in, it might not be able to be sized down enough, diameter wise, to fit into your chamber after it springs back.

This the issue with brass fired in one chamber then put into another, small base dies will generally fix it

FWIW Lapua brass is a better bet in the 338 Lapua Mag than Norma if you want top performance.

Thanks Greg. I cant find a small base die for 338 anywhere. I was offered this brass from a very nice gentleman for an offer I couldn't refuse. Would love to buy Lapua but couldn't pass up the offer of this brass. If I could find a small base die it may well be worth a try

Correct me if im wrong but if they will chamber with slight effort they would be safe to fire and resize to the new chamber so the problem goes away for subsequent reloadings.

So long as they chamber and close there should be no problem firing them, essentially you would be fire forming them to your chamber. You could load those tighter ones down a bit for the reforming process. If you could get a RCBS Trim/Form die this will set the case back to factory specs. I have several dies for different calibers and a shell that won't fit the rifle are reformed to a perfect fit.

Thanks everybody for the feedback and advise. I will give these ideas a try and hopefully improve. They all allow the bolt to close but then ones that were tight I just wanted to check. So will give these ideas a try and see how we go. Cheers again everybody

Originally Posted by Mooseman

So long as they chamber and close there should be no problem firing them, essentially you would be fire forming them to your chamber. You could load those tighter ones down a bit for the reforming process. If you could get a RCBS Trim/Form die this will set the case back to factory specs. I have several dies for different calibers and a shell that won't fit the rifle are reformed to a perfect fit.

Would you know where I could get a RCBS Trim/Form die from for 338? Cheers

Hi Curtis , you could also apply the ink of a marker pen all along a case and on the neck, and carefully place it in the chamber by hand and try to close the bolt on it. Then care fully eject the case and see if you can notice any special makings along the body of the case or just on the shoulder or neck? Have all been trim to the right length as well?

Neck sized cases usually close with a Little resistance as pretty much what Marty Henry said. I have been sizing loaded 223 rounds with a modified die as the shoulder needs to be pushed back about 1-2thou.They were sized for a different rifle. The person who's lee die i borrowed had modified the die because he had to do the same a while ago. I mentioned it wasn't obvious whether it was the shoulder or the base that needed sizing as even 1 thou let the bolt close easily. We talked about it and he did mention Lee dies were supposedly known for not sizing toward the bases so well. Not sure if there's any truth to that but maybe see if you can borrow another die?

Originally Posted by Friwi

Have all been trim to the right length as well?

^^
This.

I have found Wilson's case gauges very handy for figuring out whether my cases are in spec or not.

Originally Posted by Friwi

Hi Curtis , you could also apply the ink of a marker pen all along a case and on the neck, and carefully place it in the chamber by hand and try to close the bolt on it. Then care fully eject the case and see if you can notice any special makings along the body of the case or just on the shoulder or neck? Have all been trim to the right length as well?

There is a product called "engineers blue" that is made for this sort of thing. cheap as and goes a long way.