Thread: Sticky bolt?

Hard extraction/stiff bolt lift without any conventional pressure signs is often caused by brass not being sized enough by your dies, usually at the base.

Often the first couple of firings on new brass show no signs of stiff extraction, then as the brass expands after multiple firings and isn’t sized back down sufficiently by the dies, the brass doesn’t spring back enough after firing and grips the chamber walls causing hard extraction.

I suspect this may be what you are experiencing.

A small base sizing die, new brass or re-reaming the chamber with a slightly larger spec reamer are all solutions.