ar15 shilen match barrel, bolt doesnt close

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Paul4570

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I just put a new barrel on my ar15, it is a Shilen match grade stainless barrel. My brass and ammo doenst fit in this barrel the bolt doesnt close. This ammo work great in my old barrel. What do I need to do to make this work. Paul
 
Your issue is common with those who have a match barrel with a match chamber installed on their AR15 and use brass fired in a different rifle.

The cure: a Wilson type cartridge headspace gage. You cannot measure the base to shoulder of brass fired out of a gas gun and have a true chamber headspace measurement. This is because gas guns extract when there is still residual pressure in the chamber, and that stretches the cartridge case. But, you can measure sized cases with this cartridge headspace gage. And I recommend you size to gage minimum for a gas gun.

ODsYmCL.jpg

I also recommend you size your gas gun brass with a small base die. It makes a difference.
 
Your issue is common with those who have a match barrel with a match chamber installed on their AR15 and use brass fired in a different rifle.

The cure: a Wilson type cartridge headspace gage. You cannot measure the base to shoulder of brass fired out of a gas gun and have a true chamber headspace measurement. This is because gas guns extract when there is still residual pressure in the chamber, and that stretches the cartridge case. But, you can measure sized cases with this cartridge headspace gage. And I recommend you size to gage minimum for a gas gun.

View attachment 840059

I also recommend you size your gas gun brass with a small base die. It makes a difference.
The ;new barrel is Wylde. Im using small base dies.
 
Did the barrel come with the Bolt? If not get a set of Go/NoGo gauges and check your chamber. I've seen as much as 0.003" differences between AR-15 bolts. May be as simple as replacing the bolt. I run all my AR's with min spec match chambers. The bolt stays with the barrel throughout it's life.

If you determine you need to move the shoulder back on your handloads you can use a Redding Body die to do this without pulling the bullets. These are commonly called "Type S" sizing dies used with bushings for sizing the necks.

May want to mark up a round and find where it's hitting. Could be bullet in rifling, but not likely with a Wylde chamber.
 
The ;new barrel is Wylde. Im using small base dies.

Are you using case gauges to check the shoulder to base distance after sizing?

Depending on the size of the last chamber the brass was fired, a small base die will not necessarily bring the cases down to SAAMI dimensions. When that happens a equipment up grade is necessary. For those cases that ordinary sizing dies are incapable of reducing , the Case Pro 100, a roll sizer, is a positive bargain at $937. http://www.casepro100.com/

If your rifle was built by a respectable gunsmith, and properly headspaced, what you have is an ammunition problem. It is always worthwhile to headspace the chamber, but before you do that, did you use a cartridge case headspace gauge in setting up your sizing dies?
 
The go gauge goes and the no go doesnt. I use a headspace gauge on every peice of brass.
 
If I wanted to mark up a round to see where its hitting what would I use for that?
 
The go gauge goes and the no go doesnt. I use a headspace gauge on every peice of brass.

You have been with holding information. So, lets ask some very basic questions since we are having to tease out your reloading practices.

1. Does your rifle chamber factory ammunition?
2. Are you trimming your brass each time?
3.What is the trim length?
4. What bullet are you using?
5. What is the cartridge OAL?
6. Are you crimping the bullet?
 
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The go gauge goes and the no go doesnt. I use a headspace gauge on every peice of brass.

A case gauge depending on mfg only checks the datum points on the shoulder to the base. Does not check for OAL length problems, some check bfass. In some cases it will detect a fat case. Not the same as a chamber gauge.

Color one of your handloads with a marker and hand feed it all the way into the chamber, push in with finger. Since these are not closing on the bolt you will have to use something (cleaning rod) to remove. Then look for where the marker got scraped.
 
im trimming the necks to 0.245, and I had to seat the bullet in further. The ammo was a little too long. I shot 18 rounds today, it went well.
 
I had a locking set screw come out of my safety selector on the ar15. Does anyone have a clue where I can get a replacement, or maybe thread size? thanks Paul
 
Not sure about a set screw on an AR safety. Aftermarket part? Pictures might help.
Most small set screws are #6-40 or #4-40. Good news is they are standard screws, not gun industry special threads so your local hardware or industrial bolt store will have them for a few cents.
 
Any thoughts on a action wrench for M14, M1A, Garand? I have a M1a that had accuracy problems. I recently purchased head space gauges and the bolt closed on the no-go gauge. Needless to say I dont shoot it anymore. Im rebarreling and I need a action wrench which hopefully I can use on a Garand also. any suggestions. thanks Paul
 
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