Thread: 223 tight chambering?

Recently got some resized brass and loaded up a few with the Lee Whackamole. I stupidly didn't try chambering any rounds before loading them and when I tried them in the rifle the bolt is extremely tight to close.
I haven't fired any but I have measured the overall length of some of the non reloaded cases and some are just over the lee loader max listing of 44.70mm at around 44.82mm.
What I want to know is whether my chamber is a bit short, Winchester factory rounds load fine but when closely checking the once fired Winchester brass it looks like it has rifling marks in the neck.
Are these factory crimped or is this a chamber length issue. Winchester brass after firing is 44.7 but the marks are around 1mm back from the end of the case.
Photos of Winchester once fired brass.

? Were these fired in your rifle, before useing the whack a mole to reload. Reason being, I got caught with this way back, the lee Whack a Mole only sizes the neck, so if firing in a different rifle, you need to full lenght resize.

Hi, I think I would get some one to re-ream the chamber. I'd be surprised to think that the rifling started right at max O.A.L. which is what it seems.

Hi @flock, the used brass I got was full length resized then put through the whakamole. The case in the picture is Winchester factory brass, once fired. I did read the bit about only using brass fired in the rifle it is going to be used in. Something to be aware of for sure.

I wouldn't muck around. One step at a time and no risks. Seek expert help. Take your rifle and cases to a reputable gun smith to check it out.

those marks could be from a collet die? theres a bit of a bur on the neck of the case as well

The mark looks too narrow to be rifling. But do as Tahr suggests and get some experienced / qualified person to check for you.

Good spotting @blip. All the resized cases have this on them when I checked closer. I've also coloured the end of one of the reloads and it hasn't got any marks around the neck after being chambered.



One thing noted is a decent rub mark about 8mm up from the base of the case. Maybe the other markings are a bit of a red herring and the tightness is the diameter further back.

Again....what happens if you try to chamber the not yet reloaded full length resized brass?? It's been full length resized,checked for length,primer pockets inside reamed. Full length resized using redding dies hard down onto redding base. Rounds done with same for same rifle before weren't an issue. Only whackamole is new factor

Anneal them and run them through a small base die. Bet they chamber. Die touching and a quarter turn.

That looks like the std Winchester factory crimp. Check one of your factory non fired loads.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Again....what happens if you try to chamber the not yet reloaded full length resized brass?? It's been full length resized,checked for length,primer pockets inside reamed. Full length resized using redding dies hard down onto redding base. Rounds done with same for same rifle before weren't an issue. Only whackamole is new factor

Just tried 7 resized cases in a row and they are all tight and only just able to close bolt without excessive pressure. 4 x winchester once fired factory cases are smooth as. Might have to drop round and see you one day.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

That looks like the std Winchester factory crimp. Check one of your factory non fired loads.

Yes, have checked one of the few factory ones I have left and it has a crimp on it. Also loaded fine the other night on the hill with factory loads.

Right.so I will chuck them all back through the dies.if that doesn't make them fit...will use that brass myself and we will sort some other brass for you to use.

Do you know anyone with one of the cheap lee trimmers that use the case length gauge? Try trimming them, inside and outside deburr might get rid of those yuck looking edges. Ive had tight bolt close from not trimming my cases enough after FL resizing. At least using those lee case length guides they seem to get trimmed more than enough to fit without faffing around trying to set the proper case length.