First time reloading TOTAL FAIL!

Status
Not open for further replies.
Okay I am just as confused as everyone here as to how the bullet came out.

Here is the full breakdown. Using Full Length RCBS .308 dies (new) IMR 4895. Using virgin brass. My expander plug is right at .306, bullets are at .308. Using a lee pro turret press. Also using a CCI #34 primers.

When I loaded the first round I pulled the trigger failure to fire. When I went to eject the round there was alot of resistance on the action. Almost to the point I had to set the rifle on its butt stock to cycle it. Once I ejected the round brass came out and powder spilled out. Bullet was just sitting in the chamber.

Tried another reload of a different size chambered it 4 times just to make sure. Fired it (yes most likely a bad thing to do) Fired fine. Next time around loaded up a magazine first one chambered and fired fine. One after that failure to fire upon ejection same problem. Figured the gods of firearms had blessed me more than they should have that day I called the rest off until I can figure out this problem. Have my mentor coming over tomorrow to check out my operation. He is just as stumped as I am.

Had been firing factory loads to get sighted in earlier.
 
Two out of four rounds failed to fire? Either you are not seating the primers correctly or there is something drastically wrong with your rifle. It sounds like the bullet was jammed into the rifling and that's what pulled the bullet. I would highly suggest finding someone near you who has reloading experience and have them help you out so you can cut the learning curve down a little. You are describing several problems in your reloading technique that need to be addressed.
 
Using virgin brass
Click to expand...

Why are you sizing them? I only size new brass if the mouth is out of round.

You didn't say what bullets you're using, though. Pulldowns can be a bit undersized below the cannelure. I'll use the expander plug from my 7.35mm Carcano die (0.295") if I run into this.
 
Improperly reamed chamber & crazy long headspace? That might explain the FTF and the bullet getting pulled.

What is the COAL and what bullet is being used? Surely the bullet is actually being seated INTO the neck some appreciable distance...yes?
 
Two out of four rounds failed to fire? Either you are not seating the primers correctly or there is something drastically wrong with your rifle. It sounds like the bullet was jammed into the rifling and that's what pulled the bullet. I would highly suggest finding someone near you who has reloading experience and have them help you out so you can cut the learning curve down a little. You are describing several problems in your reloading technique that need to be addressed.
Click to expand...

On the cause of the FTF I think its because when the rounds were chambered the bullet got pressed into the case. Pushing the case too far forward for the firing pin to strike the primer. The firing pin just, and I mean just kissed the primer.

Why are you sizing them? I only size new brass if the mouth is out of round.

You didn't say what bullets you're using, though. Pulldowns can be a bit undersized below the cannelure. I'll use the expander plug from my 7.35mm Carcano die (0.295") if I run into this.
Click to expand...

I don't know why, just did. Didn't know any better. Also the bullets I'm using are sierra 168 BTHP's. Going to feel real stupid but Pulldowns dont know what that is referring to.

Improperly reamed chamber & crazy long headspace? That might explain the FTF and the bullet getting pulled.

What is the COAL and what bullet is being used? Surely the bullet is actually being seated INTO the neck some appreciable distance...yes?
Click to expand...

If this was the case the factory loads would have been having the same issue. It's my reloads.

Was the powder yellow or did it look normal?
Click to expand...

No powder is fine.

What do you mean by "different size" ??
Click to expand...

Different COAL

After closer inspection of some of my rounds. On the case where the shoulder meets the body. There is a small rib, I actually didn't see it but felt it. The issue is def. coming from seating my bullets wrong.
 
243winxb said:
I agree. Like i said before > You need to read this > http://www.exteriorballistics.com/reloadbasics/gasgunreload.cfm
Click to expand...

That is very handy and very long. Going to take me a min to read through it a few times. I am about 99% sure though my problem is not a COAL that is too long, but you guys know a heck of a lot more than I do. My 2 COAL's were 2.785 and 2.795 both caused problems. I'm just jacking up my seating. I can't figure out how to get a good COAL without squishing the brass.:banghead: As I said someone thats been doing this long before I was around is coming over today to see firsthand my operation.
 
It sounds as if you have a few problems. You ether over sized the brass or crushed the primers. I'm more convinced you are jamming the bullet into the lande. It also sounds like you are over crimping. No need to crimp at all.

Pulldown bullets means the bullets have been recycled.
 
I think you need to understand there is a difference in where you set the top screw that seats the bullet and the portion of the seating die that makes the crimp. It sounds to me like you are bottoming on the brass case before your bullet is at its final position, causing the ridge you felt and the difficulty in seating the round in the chamber. Back the seating die off and turn the center adjustment lower to make your desired COAL. I loaded some .308 rounds last night using Sierra 168 Gr SPBT bullets with a COAL of 2.750. I think your trouble is from swelling the case when seating the bullet, I had that trouble when first loading .223 rounds.
 
Thanks steel horse I will try that when I get home. That seems to me, in my limited knowledge, that is the problem. If so I could see when I deform the brass just that little bit its opening the neck enough to cause my problems.
 
SHR, that sounds like a plausible cause.
CSestp, if you don't flare, there's no reason to crimp.. Back off the seater stem so it's a good ways from touching a dummy bullet. Run the sized brass all the way up in press/ram. Screw down the die until the crimping step just contacts the cartridge mouth and perhaps back it out a bit. Lock it down. Adjust the seater stem to desired length and lock that down.
 
Okay, I spun up about 30 dummy rounds with no primers after taking in all the advice. Got a OAL of 2.793. Have ran through the bunch many times and no movements on the rounds. The only thing is my seating die is riding higher than what I think it should be.

Once again (sighs reloading really brings out the dumb___ness in me) I have some more dumb questions. Suppose I don't fully understand cam over. I thought in order to achieve cam over was to seat the die to the shell holder and then screw it down an 1/8 to an 1/4 turn down. Mine is not setup this way.
 
CSestp said:
Once again (sighs reloading really brings out the dumb___ness in me) I have some more dumb questions. Suppose I don't fully understand cam over. I thought in order to achieve cam over was to seat the die to the shell holder and then screw it down an 1/8 to an 1/4 turn down. Mine is not setup this way.
Click to expand...

Don't worry about cam over. That's where the press linkage goes all the way over the top so the ram actually starts lowering again when the lever is all the way down. Not really a big deal with the seating die. As long as you can seat the bullet to the correct OAL, the die is set low enough. Too low would be much more of a problem with a standard seating/crimping die.
 
RCBS Dies & Press

The only thing is my seating die is riding higher than what I think it should be.
Click to expand...
A nickel coin should fit between the seating die and shell holder on RCBS seating dies to not crimp the case mouth. Cam over is an RCBS press thing when FL sizing only. A Lee press may spring when FL sizing. Here you look to see if the shell holder is making contact with the FL die when at the top of the stroke when sizing. RCBS > RCBSInstructions.jpg Remember to lube inside the case neck so the expander does not drag as much. :)
 
The only seating die I know of that you want to contact the shell holder is the Lee Dead Seating Die.
 
Dont feel alone I crushed the bejezus out of a couple 308 cases learning to set up the die.
I was crimping before the bullet was fully seated due to a similar set up error.
When I get around to pistol cartridges there will certainly be more blunders.
Glad you got it sorted out.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

C
  • Locked
About to fire my first reloads
Replies
6
Views
525
CSestp
C
red rick
  • Locked
A First Today Reloading
Replies
24
Views
1K
mdi
mdi
W
  • Locked
OAL & Fail-to-Eject?
Replies
4
Views
342
rfwobbly
rfwobbly
S
  • Locked
My very first reloaded round: 7.62x54R =)
Replies
1
Views
353
Jimbo1
J
S
  • Locked
Reloads short-cycle/jam in AR15?
Replies
11
Views
2K
sbwaters
S
Back
Top