Thread: Resized Cartridges Won't Chamber

Hi all,

I have reloaded 100 cartridges using a Lee FL Sizing Die. In my Savage 16, they chamber fine.

However, in my Howa 1500, I can't get the bolt handle down on 1 in 4 rounds. It feels like the handle is jambed, and I can't close it.

Case length is within spec for 7mm08.
OAL is 2.800"

I screw the sizing die in until it makes contact with the ram, so I can't imagine that it's a headspacing issue.

Is it an issue with the tolerances on a Lee die? I've always heard people say they aren't good quality.

have you checked its not projectile enguaging????
are yur cases trimmed???
have yo utaken a vivid felt tip pen..coloured in a couple of the non chambering rounds to SEE where they are contacting...take arse out of bolt of howa try chambering and wiggle bolt back n forward..actually handle up n down a little bit....then eject and see whats the go.

and all is not lost...just mark the 25 that wont chamber and use in savage.....
try screwing die down a bit more next time so the die and base make firm contact..snuc as two horny teenagers in a pup tent.
failing that......you might have the occasional oh shit...tight chamber and large die
LEE=GOOD

The mandrel dragging the shoulder dimension on its way out?


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Thanks @Micky Duck. I will give it a go. I love the analogy of the teenagers rofl

There's a ton of things that could cause the problems.

Lets start by measuring a the headspace length on a case fired in the Savage and compare it to that of a case fired in the Howa and them to a sized case.

Measured from the bottom of the case to the datum line.

Do yourself a favour and measure fired cases from both chambers and a sized case and compare them to each other.

Next up: the fact that only some of the cases wouldn't close, indicates spring back after sizing. This can be addressed by annealing and letting the case sit 2 seconds at the top of the cycle during sizing.

Will likely be a headspace issue, chamber on your other rifle will be slightly tighter. Especially with handloads, never assume one load will chamber, be safe or, accurate in another rifle.

Set your die to cam over, one cause is the spring in RCBS press , I am guessing it is a Lee which compounds the problem
you should not have this trouble with a standard factory rifle, Ditch the Lee FL die and replace it with Lyman Hornady Redding RCBS
TM is a good source if dies I have picked up some cheap deals on dies lately.

Originally Posted by Jaco Goosen

There's a ton of things that could cause the problems.

Lets start by measuring a the headspace length on a case fired in the Savage and compare it to that of a case fired in the Howa and them to a sized case.

Measured from the bottom of the case to the datum line.

Do yourself a favour and measure fired cases from both chambers and a sized case and compare them to each other.

Next up: the fact that only some of the cases wouldn't close, indicates spring back after sizing. This can be addressed by annealing and letting the case sit 2 seconds at the top of the cycle during sizing.

I had this problem. Consider using some emery to grind a tad off the top of the shell holder. This will allow you to screw the die in a bit more.

Originally Posted by mawzer308

Will likely be a headspace issue, chamber on your other rifle will be slightly tighter. Especially with handloads, never assume one load will chamber, be safe or, accurate in another rifle.

I had this problem. Consider using some emery to grind a tad off the top of the shell holder. This will allow you to screw the die in a bit more.

Reloaded ammunition is usually firearm specific due to minute chamber differences. Resizing does not return cases to factory dimensions but merely ensures that the resized cases will fit the chamber they were fired in. If you use the same calibre in different rifles then you need dedicated brass for each rifle. Fired brass has a 'memory' and will spring back after sizing depending on the chamber it was fired in.

Originally Posted by Oldbloke

I had this problem. Consider using some emery to grind a tad off the top of the shell holder. This will allow you to screw the die in a bit more.

Definitely not a good practice as that effectively increases the headspace of the rifle.

Originally Posted by gundoc

Definitely not a good practice as that effectively increases the headspace of the rifle.

Only if adjusted incorrectly.

Originally Posted by will.i.em

Hi all,

I have reloaded 100 cartridges using a Lee FL Sizing Die. In my Savage 16, they chamber fine.

However, in my Howa 1500, I can't get the bolt handle down on 1 in 4 rounds. It feels like the handle is jambed, and I can't close it.

Case length is within spec for 7mm08.
OAL is 2.800"

I screw the sizing die in until it makes contact with the ram, so I can't imagine that it's a headspacing issue.

Is it an issue with the tolerances on a Lee die? I've always heard people say they aren't good quality.

@will.i.em Did you try to chamber a sized case b4 adding powder and projectiles? Useful to know this b4 rushing off with a lot of solutions.

Greetings,
Agree with most of the above. To me it is a die adjustment issue. Your die may need to make firm contact with the shell holder to size the case, not just touch it. You seem to have two rifles with slightly different head space. Assuming you have some callipers (and if you don't get some) investing in the Hornady head space comparator kit would be a good idea. These are not expensive and will show you where the problem is and the extent of it. My guess is that the die just needs to be set down a little more. Been there and done that 40 years ago. With two rifles in the same calibre you may wish to invest in a set of the Redding competition shell holders. These are more expensive but would allow you to set the headspace for each rifle without adjusting the die. Lastly in no circumstances grind the top of the shell holder. This just creates more problems and likely ruins the shell holder is well. And as @zimmer says check after sizing and each step of the way thereafter.
Regards Grandpamac.

How much do you think a bit of emery is going to remove?