[klem223]

I hope this doesn't sound as bad as I'm sure it will, but I recently bought a Thompson Encore and had a custom barrel made for it in 17 Rem. I don't reload yet but my friend is going to teach me how. When the new barrel came, I slid an empty shell (new brass) into the chamber and it sticks out just past the extractor arm, you can't close the receiver. I'm hoping/thinking that when we full length size the brass this will correct this. I don't have any factory ammo for this caliber to check it with. Obviously my concern is the camber isn't cut right. Will resizing fix this? It's driving me crazy waiting till my buddy has time to load and I don't want to spend $30.00 on a box of factory shells to check.

Thanks for any ideas!

[codefour]

I have been reloading for a little over a year now. In my experience, sometimes new/virgin brass will need a FL resize to fit into the chamber. Also proper bullet seating depth and crimp can effect chambering as well.

[Cemetery21]

Sometimes a replacement barrel is "short chambered" to allow a gunsmith to finish the chamber for correct headspace. I'm not familiar with the TC, so I don't know if the headspace needs to be set for each rifle. Just saying that is the first thing that comes to my mind.
I've never had trouble loading new brass without sizing. I do neck size to even out some that come with dented necks.
Go ahead and size a few and see if that makes a difference. If you do have to send the barrel back, send a couple of sized cases with it so the builder can see what your dies produce.

[Friendly, Don't Fire!]

I agree, it could have been the brass you inserted was just a bit dent (not noticeable to the naked eye, unless you know what you are looking for).

Once you properly set up your press, when you resize the empty new cases, they should fit then. If not, contact the barrel manufacturer.

[cfullgraf]

Generally, even with 17 Remington, you should not have to resize new brass. If more than one case does not fit, it may indicate a chamber problem but frequently, the case necks get dinged a little in packaging and shipping.

Encore barrels are sold to be flexible and not necessarily fitted to a particular frame so, unless the manufacturer has indicated the barrel needs to be fit to your frame, I suspect it should be finished reamed. I have purchased two custom Bullberry barrels over the years and they worked just fine on my Encore and Contender without any special fitting.

Generally, i neck size my 17 Remington before use to make sure the neck is uniform. Full length sizing will work fine as well. Be careful and do not get any lubricant on the shoulder. I find the 17 Remington is not tolerant of lubricant on the shoulder and case soulder dents will occur during the resizing process. Not the end of the world, just looks bad. The dents will blow out on firing.

Enjoy your 17 Remington. Fun to shoot. A bit frustrating at times.

[Lost Sheep]

I hope this doesn't sound as bad as I'm sure it will, but I recently bought a Thompson Encore and had a custom barrel made for it in 17 Rem. I don't reload yet but my friend is going to teach me how. When the new barrel came, I slid an empty shell (new brass) into the chamber and it sticks out just past the extractor arm, you can't close the receiver. I'm hoping/thinking that when we full length size the brass this will correct this. I don't have any factory ammo for this caliber to check it with. Obviously my concern is the camber isn't cut right. Will resizing fix this? It's driving me crazy waiting till my buddy has time to load and I don't want to spend $30.00 on a box of factory shells to check.

Thanks for any ideas!
If it is going to be a while, you could take your barrel (leave the receiver in the car) into a store and ask if you can try out one of their cartridges for fit. The worst they can do is say "no". Especially if you ask before you even bring the barrel in.

Of course, you could wind up liking the fit so well, you spend the $30, so there is THAT risk.

Congratulations on your new hobby.

Lost Sheep

[billybob44]

Most all of my hand loads perform very well and have good accuracy. I believe that good loads must have consistency in all steps of the process.
I DO Full Length Size all of my new brass prior to priming+charging the case. New brass, even when boxed well can have out of round case mouths. When I run them through my FL die, I know that the outside+inside of the cases are all EXACTLY the same.
I feel that without this consistency, I can not expect to have a chance of one hole groups at a hundred yards. Again-JUST my 2c. worth..Bill.:uhoh:

[AK_Maine_iac]

I have had a few (three) encore barrels from Bullberry with no problems other then cost. I find i am just as happy with T/C factory barrels. I have these at this time. 223, 270, 308, 30.06, 35Whelen, 375H&H, 338Win Mag, 45/70, and 50 cal, Black powder for my Encore w/Flex-tech stock system.
Like posted above. Take barrel into any dealer or smith and have them drop in a shell or two from different manufactures to check the fit. Never a single problem with any of them.

[klem223]

Thanks for all the input, it's very appreciated! I'll find out tomorrow if the sized brass fits. I tried numerous unsized pieces and they all fit the same way. I also compared the new brass to some factory ammo at the store and my untrained eye couldn't see any difference. Wish I would of thought to have popped the barrel off. I've been in touch with the manufacturer and they said it could be a problem with the neck size because they have higher tolerances, but that I need to check with sized brass or factory ammo. Evidently it happens from time to time but is easily corrected.