I recently reloaded some .243 ammo. I full length resized each case but when I shot the loads, some were hard to "lock" into the chamber(the bolt was hard to close). I noticed that all of the hard to close cases were PMC cases. Am I right in assuming that the "rim" on the cases must be slightly thicker than the rims on the other cases, or what?????
HARD TO CLOSE BOLT???
- Thread starter BIGJACK
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Lennyjoe
Member
Did you trim the brass as well? One other question, are you seating the bullets to the listed length? If the bullet is hitting the lands it will be difficult to close the bolt as well. Pressure will increase depending on how deep into the lands the bullet is getting forced in.
Stoney point makes a geat set up to measure seating depth, bullet ogive ect.
Stoney point makes a geat set up to measure seating depth, bullet ogive ect.
loadedround
Member
It could also e a protruding primer or a bullet seated too far out and engaging in the rifling. Very easy to check and eliminate if either is a problem.
USSR
Member
BIGJACK,
Not likely to be the rim. In most cases (no pun intended), the shoulder is not bumped back far enough. Were these cases previously fired in your rifle or another rifle?
Don
Not likely to be the rim. In most cases (no pun intended), the shoulder is not bumped back far enough. Were these cases previously fired in your rifle or another rifle?
Don
rbernie
Contributing Member
Agreed - chances are that you weren't quite complete on the stroke when you resized these cases and the shoulder didn't get bumped back enough.
ocabj
Member
If you want to full length size according to the die manufacturer's instructions, you always set the die by putting the ram in the up position with your respective shell holder in place, then turn the die all the way down and makes firm contact with the shell holder. Put the ram in the down position and then screw the die down another 1/4 or half turn.
That will ensure a full length size based on most die manufacturer's instructions.
After that, you can experiment with the proper setting for your full length die to attain just enough shoulder resizing for your specific rifle through trial and error.
That will ensure a full length size based on most die manufacturer's instructions.
After that, you can experiment with the proper setting for your full length die to attain just enough shoulder resizing for your specific rifle through trial and error.
GooseGestapo
Member
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I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH SOME PMC BRASS IN MY 7MM-08. IT'S NOT THE RIM, IT'S THE NECKS: THEY ARE TOO THICK !!!!!
I got 60rds of PMC factory loads when I bought the rifle new, as I needed some brass for reloading. Even the factory loaded ammo chambered hard due to the excessive neck thickness. Reloaded ammo was even worse, even though I'd trimmed the length to minimum. (The brass was also excessively long, too!)
I would pull down all the loads loaded with the PMC, because to fire it is to risk excessive pressures and rifle damage, particularily with the .243.
I pulled down all mine after I loosened the primer pockets on several cases before I realized what was really going on.
(I presumed some of the other possibilities that others above mentioned, especially that my rifle also has a very short throat).
After neck-turning the brass down to max-spec, it is now my most accurate brass. It took total shaving of 360deg of the neck, for those familiar with neck turning, to remove sufficient brass.
(ie: I removed all the excess brass from the neck, reamed the flash-holes, and uniformed the primer pockets.)
Be careful especially with the .243. Through the years it and the 7mm-RemMag have gotten bad reputations for pressure excursions resulting in busted rifles. I had a friend have this happen with his Rem788 with a previously good performing load. He had "switched" brass however! He split the head of the bolt when a primer blew.
I'm now convinced that it's variation in tolerances in the brass that is causing this.
I have several lot#'s of "same-make" .243 brass that will vary substantially in weight-hence internal capacity. With the high operating pressures and substantial case capacity relative to the bore diameter, the .243 is much more sensitive to such variations in case capacity.
Hence, it is prudent to separate cases by headstamp, and then seperate by weight.
Use great caution with this otherwise excellent cartridge.
I got 60rds of PMC factory loads when I bought the rifle new, as I needed some brass for reloading. Even the factory loaded ammo chambered hard due to the excessive neck thickness. Reloaded ammo was even worse, even though I'd trimmed the length to minimum. (The brass was also excessively long, too!)
I would pull down all the loads loaded with the PMC, because to fire it is to risk excessive pressures and rifle damage, particularily with the .243.
I pulled down all mine after I loosened the primer pockets on several cases before I realized what was really going on.
(I presumed some of the other possibilities that others above mentioned, especially that my rifle also has a very short throat).
After neck-turning the brass down to max-spec, it is now my most accurate brass. It took total shaving of 360deg of the neck, for those familiar with neck turning, to remove sufficient brass.
(ie: I removed all the excess brass from the neck, reamed the flash-holes, and uniformed the primer pockets.)
Be careful especially with the .243. Through the years it and the 7mm-RemMag have gotten bad reputations for pressure excursions resulting in busted rifles. I had a friend have this happen with his Rem788 with a previously good performing load. He had "switched" brass however! He split the head of the bolt when a primer blew.
I'm now convinced that it's variation in tolerances in the brass that is causing this.
I have several lot#'s of "same-make" .243 brass that will vary substantially in weight-hence internal capacity. With the high operating pressures and substantial case capacity relative to the bore diameter, the .243 is much more sensitive to such variations in case capacity.
Hence, it is prudent to separate cases by headstamp, and then seperate by weight.
Use great caution with this otherwise excellent cartridge.
Shoney
Member
All the previously mentioned advice is good, however, check your seating die, It sounds like you have it set too deep and are putting a slight buldge on the shoulder.
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