308 Cartridge Problem

[littleguns223]

I have been reloading for rifles for many years. So this is not my first rodeo.But have never own any rifles in 308 caliber until a few weeks ago. So I purchashed 2 one rem 770 and ruger american. I shot several rounds out of ruger with no problem with my reloads. but the problem I am having with the rem 770 is after firing the gun is that the bolt is hard to open to remove the fired case. I had like 6 or cases out of 30 rounds. This is the third time these cases loaded trimed each time to spec. I know there is not nothing wrong with the gun because I have no problem with factory rounds. I never had any problem when I loaded these the first time. But the second and third time I have had this issue. Like I said no problem with the ruger. When this happens you can not put the emty case back in and close the bolt. When the case comes out of the gun smoothly after it is fired you can put can put the case back in smoothly. I hope you guys can understand what I am saying.I load 6 other rifle calibers with no issues.

 

[918v]

Each gun is different. Your load may be too hot for the Remmy.

 

[Centurian22]

Can't resist: "your problem is that it's a rem 770" lol

On a more serious note. Sounds like a difference in chamber size possibly. I have heard that a large chamber will work harden the brass and by a certain number of firings it lacks the elasticity to shrink back down after being fired which then leads to a difficult extraction. I'm assuming that since you have reloading experience you are either full length resizing or keeping brass separate and neck sizing? If you are neck sizing maybe FL would help?

I have had factory ammo that was difficult to extract but it was the first box through a brand new gun and chalked it up to 'break in stiffness'.

 

[Kachok]

Remington 770, that sounds like your problem right there. I won't touch the blasted things.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Seriously...no joking...its probably the 770's chamber...I had the same issue on a 700 a couple of years ago (also a 308)

Remington finally fixed it (the 3rd time I sent it back to them)...I sold the rifle...my advice to you is to do the same.

 

[StandingTall]

Are you separating your reloads? IOW, are you using the .308 brass from your Ruger ONLY for your Ruger and the 700 ONLY for the 700? If you're not, that could be an issue, and try FL sizing all of your .308 brass one time and keep it separated. After that first FL sizing, you should be able to neck-size only.

 

[littleguns223]

Yes I am FL sizing and shooting it out of both guns. Using Rem and FC brass. I checked the brass today that was fired out of the Rem the ones that was hard to get out of the gun it stretched 5 thousands over maxx. All of my cases was trimmed to mim to start with.

 

[Centurian22]

How confident are you in the consistancy of your powder throws? A few tenths of a grain more may not have any noticeable effect on the ruger, but due to chamber differences could cause the lock up in the 770. Just spit-balling ideas, no offense meant.

 

[popper]

What is the HS of both, not just COL? What is the load? Probably have to size for each.

 

[243winxb]

When this happens you can not put the emty case back in and close the bolt.

The chamber is oval shaped or the bolt is not square to the chamber.

 

[littleguns223]

Thanks guys for all the information.

 

[W.E.G.]

What case gage are you using to measure the base-to-shoulder dimension of your resized brass?

 

[azgsmith]

The brass holds the secret

Take a good hard look at the brass after firing.