6.5 Creedmoor won't drop in case gauge

[Allen One1]

I have been reloading for the 6.5 Creedmoor for a while and my sized cases won't fully drop into my case gauge they lack 1/16th or so of dropping in. It's close but just a little too tight. They load into the gun and shoot with no issues but it just keeps bugging me as to why they are not dropping in.

I'm using a Hornady case gauge and Redding dies. I use a comparator to set the shoulder to match against the cases fired from this gun, fired case less .002. Necks are not turned but don't seem overly thick. Starline brass.

Any ideas of what I'm overlooking or should I just move on since the rounds seem to be sized to the rifle.

Thanks,
Allen

 

[ArchAngelCD]

It sounds like with the shoulder needs to be bumped back further, the bullet might be touching the rifling or both. Note, the bullet being into the rifling could cause high pressures.

You should try to produce reliable ammo before you try to improve accuracy. Touching the rifling doesn't translate into more accurate ammo every time.

 

[Allen One1]

It sounds like with the shoulder needs to be bumped back further, the bullet might be touching the rifling or both. Note, the bullet being into the rifling could cause high pressures.

You should try to produce reliable ammo before you try to improve accuracy. Touching the rifling doesn't translate into more accurate ammo every time.

The shoulder is bumped back about .002 -.003 from cases fired in this rifle. The bolt closes nice and smooth. The bullet is .020 off the lands. Everything related to the bullet and rifle seem to be working well it just doesn't drop into the case gauge loaded or just a resized case. Accuracy is good to 1000 yards if I can read the wind correctly.

 

[armabill]

The case gauge out of specs?

 

[sparkyv]

I have one case gauge that has tighter tolerances than my bbl. It generally works well except it's tight on one PC hardcast boolit I like. I trust my gauges, but for this one I default to the bbl plunk test. For me, this is an perfectly acceptable practice for the one bbl that is plunked tested, NOT OK for other firearms unless they too are plunk tested. Of course this is in reference to my handguns, but this practice will be OK for the 6.5CM situation you describe Allen One1.

For my 6.5 Creed, it's pass 100% case guage or I pull them. Chamber is TIGHT on this baby.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

So wait, the ammo fits fine in your rifle but not the case gauge?

Are you shooting the gauge or the rifle lol.

If everything is fine in the rifle don't worry about the gauge. Like already said, the case gauge might be slightly different than your barrel. If the rifle bolt closes without being tight and everything with the gun is fine I wouldn't worry about the case gauge.

Just curious, what gun are you shooting out to 1000 yards and how tight are the groups with your 6.5mm Creedmoor?

 

[Allen One1]

So wait, the ammo fits fine in your rifle but not the case gauge?

Are you shooting the gauge or the rifle lol.

If everything is fine in the rifle don't worry about the gauge. Like already said, the case gauge might be slightly different than your barrel. If the rifle bolt closes without being tight and everything with the gun is fine I wouldn't worry about the case gauge.

Just curious, what gun are you shooting out to 1000 yards and how tight are the groups with your
6.5mm Creedmoor?

I tend to shoot the rifle more than the gauge so I set everything up based on the rifle,
I'm shooting a Savage Model 10 GRS that will hold minute of man at 1250 yards. I don't measure groups as I just shoot steel although that is going to change next month with a 600 yd match but I would say a 6" group at a 1000 yds is not out of the question from a bipod.

 

[Allen One1]

The case gauge out of specs?

I wondered that as well and emailed the manufacturer, they suggested that I bump the shoulder back a little more. I didn't take that suggestion.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I tend to shoot the rifle more than the gauge so I set everything up based on the rifle,
I'm shooting a Savage Model 10 GRS that will hold minute of man at 1250 yards. I don't measure groups as I just shoot steel although that is going to change next month with a 600 yd match but I would say a 6" group at a 1000 yds is not out of the question from a bipod.

Very cool. That is great results with an off-the-rack rifle. Sounds like a lot of fun, we have no ranges past 250 yards anywhere near where I live, you are lucky.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Blue68f100]

Take a close look at the base. You may have a burr from the extractor.

 

[Walkalong]

As cases work harden form multiple firings they are harder to size and spring back more, so they size less and less. Have you checked measurements this time? Might be as simple as that. Two cures for it, adjust the sizer as needed, or anneal no more than every third firing.

 

[Varminterror]

Gauges are worthless if you have the rifle in hand. You don’t fire the ammo from the gauge, so unless you’re sizing generic ammo for any rifle, not sizing for YOUR rifle, the gauge is a useless waste of money.

 

[Allen One1]

As cases work harden form multiple firings they are harder to size and spring back more, so they size less and less. Have you checked measurements this time? Might be as simple as that. Two cures for it, adjust the sizer as needed, or anneal no more than every third firing.

Walkalong
This isn't something new it has been doing this from the start about 800 rounds or so. I anneal every load now to standardize the bullet tension, maybe too often but I don't think it is hurting anything.

 

[Walkalong]

Then it isn't likely the issue, just something to throw out there for you to chew on. Now we have (probably) ruled that out. Or at least that it has not been caused by work hardening of the case.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

Your gauge is most likely on the tight side of SAAMI spec and your chamber on the loose side. SAAMI calls out exact dimensions but then gives tolerances. Nothing to worry about as long as you're only using THAT ammo in THAT rifle. But you could definitely run into trouble if you try to run that ammo in a rifle that has a chamber on the tight side.

 

[Blue68f100]

I don't recall you saying who's case gauge your using. Some only check the head space while others are min spec chambers. I know there has been a few reports where some chambers were reamed out of spec, long leads. May want to contact the mfg of the gauge and have them check it for accuracy. If you have a set of case gauges you could do a quick check for the head spacing. But it want tell you anything about the other dimensions. Another option is to make a casting of the test gauge and then measure it.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I don't recall you saying who's case gauge your using. Some only check the head space while others are min spec chambers. I know there has been a few reports where some chambers were reamed out of spec, long leads. May want to contact the mfg of the gauge and have them check it for accuracy. If you have a set of case gauges you could do a quick check for the head spacing. But it want tell you anything about the other dimensions. Another option is to make a casting of the test gauge and then measure it.

The OP said the gun is accurate out to 1000 yards, all that is unnecessary. This is all going way to far for a gauge not agreeing with a rifle chamber.

 

[Allen One1]

[QUOTE="KansasSasquatch" Your gauge is most likely on the tight side of SAAMI spec and your chamber on the loose side.

I suspect that you are right. My guess is that the case is not getting sized all the way to the bottom so there is a very slight widening of the case in that area that is keeping it from dropping in that last little bit. Fine in the rifle it came from but very tight for the gauge.

 

[Allen One1]

[QUOTE="Blue68f100" I don't recall you saying who's case gauge your using.

Blue
I'm not going to throw a name out there because I doubt the gauge is the problem. Let's just say the manufacturer knows a lot about the 6.5 Creedmoor.

 

[Blue68f100]

Have you flipped the brass to see if the base will fit the gauge? Quick test for the base.

 

[Varminterror]

How about we all stop worrying about ammo fitting into a paperweight and consider the fact it fits just fine into his rifle? Ya know, the thing that actually matters?

 

[Allen One1]

Have you flipped the brass to see if the base will fit the gauge? Quick test for the base.

Blue
Now you have me out there measuring everything. If I flip it over I can insert it into the gauge about 1/4 inch. Measuring the base I am about 1.5 thousands larger than SAMI spec .4715 compared to.470 but only at the base everything else appears to be in spec.

I never noticed before but the inside of a case gauge is rough down in the shoulder and throat area.

 

[Walkalong]

How about we all stop worrying about ammo fitting into a paperweight and consider the fact it fits just fine into his rifle? Ya know, the thing that actually matters?

For this application I would agree.