Reloading Problem

jeffey · 07-04-2007, 04:23 PM

I just got started reloading in the past few months, and I am learning from books for the most part. However, I am having a problem that isn't addressed in any of the reading I have done and I was hoping some of you could help.

After I seat my bullet to the proper depth so that it clears the lands, the neck of the case has been compressed and the cartridge wont chamber. It almost seems as though the neck on the cartridge is too thin and is requireing so much pressure to seat the bullet, that it is compressing the neck.

I am under the impression that with a case that has NOT been resized, a bullet should fall into the neckk of cartridge a little ways, but with my both my resized and non-resized cartriges, the bullet barely goes into the neck at all. I hope I explained the problem I'm having well and thanks for any feedback!

GSD · 07-04-2007, 04:39 PM

Jeffey, I am by no means an expert but for starters, a picture is worth a thousand words.

What caliber are you loading?

That should at least get the ball rolling here. Most of the reloaders are probably out right now but I'm sure you will be getting additional help soon.

billc_sbio · 07-04-2007, 05:00 PM

I know this is going to sound funny, but it sounds like your bullets are too BIG (around)!

Yes, as GSD mentioned, tell us about what cartridge this is, and about your bullets.

It sounds like you have the theory down pretty good from your reading and you're right that unsized, a bullet should almost fall into and through your case's neck.

What you're describing is a bullet that's acting as an expander and sizing your neck UP which then won't chamber as there's not enough clearance.

Here's a place when a good set of Calipers comes in really handy.

A few quick measurements and a complicated problem quickly explains itself.

One example here is you could have a ".30 Caliber" (U.S. version that shoots .308" diameter bullets) and you could have bullets intended for a British .303 Rifle that would measure .311".

I'm not saying this is it in your case, but just an example of how "things" can go wrong.

Yep, we need more specifics, cartridge designation. Bullets style, weight, maker, etc.

After we know that, more help will be forthcoming.

jeffey · 07-04-2007, 05:30 PM

Thanks for the responses! I am reloading a .270 WSM with 270 caliber (.277") Nosler Ballistic Tips in 130 grains. The casings are Winchester Supreme's. I can probably get a pic up of one of the compressed necks tomorrow. Thanks again for the help, it is very much appreciated.

Hogwild · 07-04-2007, 05:44 PM

Is the casing compressing on the shoulder? If so you might take a look at how your seating die is adjusted. There should be a slight gap between the shell holder and the bottom of the die when the the ram is in the up position. If the shell holder is making contact or camming over slightly it's out of adjustment.

huntinfool · 07-04-2007, 06:44 PM

Only with a fired case will the bullet go into the case freely. New and resized cases will require pressure to get the bullets seated.

If you are having problems getting reloaded cases to chamber, I suspect either your cases are too long (need trimmed) or you are OVER sizing your cases.

GSD · 07-04-2007, 07:00 PM

Just for the sake of elimination, are you using a LEE Collet Neck Sizer? They have sometimes caused "Buckled Shoulders" if not used properly.

billc_sbio · 07-04-2007, 09:33 PM

Hmm...a few things here...

First is your case Length correct after you're done Resizing?

(You'll need Calipers or a Case Length Gauge to measure this, Calipers are better)

Then, assuming that #1 is o.k., you should be able to take a sized case WITHOUT powder and bullet and run it up into your Seating Die without touching anything.

If, on the way up, your empty case starts showing resistance or stops, you Die is adjusted down too far. For seating Jacketed bullets there should be no crimping action by the Seating Die.

If you wanted to you could exactly match the OAL of your loaded factory cartridge by backing your Seating Stem back out, put a loaded factory cartridge into you Shellholder and run it up to the top of its stroke.

Then screw your die down until it just touches your case, then back it up about 2 turns and lock the Lock Ring.

Then screw the Seating Stem down until it touches the bullet.

Lock the Lock Nut on the Seating Stem.

Doing this you can duplicate the exact OAL of the Factory loaded ammo with your reloads.

This may not be exactly where you'll want your bullet seating depth to end up, but it's a start.

jeffey · 07-04-2007, 09:42 PM

GSD,
Im using an RCBS resizer, so hopefully that isnt part of the problem.

Thank you all for your help, Im going to give it a try this weekend with all of your suggestions and see how it goes.

Yeti · 07-04-2007, 10:26 PM

It also wouldn't hurt to mike the neck of your cases before and after sizing. Mike them again after bullet seating. You need to find out where you are getting out of spec. Also, measure your COAL after you finish loading. Measure it again 24 hours later. If you are loading compressed loads, and have low neck tension, you could be experiencing projectile creep.

The only chambering problems I have had have been with my case length to the shoulder. When I was neck sizing cases the shoulder would slowly creep forward until chambering became difficult. A run through a FL die fixes that problem.

Make sure all of your cases are trimmed to length before loading. As stated above, make sure your dies are adjusted properly.

billc_sbio · 07-04-2007, 10:32 PM

O.k., I'm going to mention a few "basics" that many reloaders don't fully understand clearly. Some do, many don't

While various reloading manuals discuss all kinds of information on how to adjust your dies, remember this (this is my #1 Rule for ppl who are new to reloading)

"IF your fired cartridge case slides easily OUT of your Rifle's Chamber, it will slide back IN just as easily!"

That said it will slide right back into that SAME Rifle just fine. It might not fit in your father's rifle (or someone else's) that's chambered for the same cartridge.

What I'm getting at is that "as fired" your case matches the chamber of your rifle as well as it's going to. Little is needed in the way of Resizing.

The more you work (resize) your brass the worse it is for it.

So, all you really need to do is to squeeze the Neck back down so it holds the bullet tightly and uniformly.

Now this ISN'T the case for cases you're sizing to go into some OTHER Rifle. There you'll want to Full Length Resize, which will make the cases the same size as new Factory ammo (smaller than the tightest commercial chamber). Full Length Resizing moves everything back to Square 1.

If you can grasp this concept...that you want to minimize the amount of sizing you're going to do, your brass will last lots longer.

Ifishsum · 07-05-2007, 09:05 AM

It does sound like you're seating die is screwed in too far if you're buckling cases - it's starting to crimp before your bullet is seated, so it pushes the whole neck down and buckles it. Like Billc_sbio said, a sized case with no bullet in it should be able to go all the way into the seating die without resistance. I put a sized case in and raise the ram all the way, then screw in the die over the case. When I hit resistance, I'll back off a full turn or two. Then I adjust the seating stem for the depth I'm after. This puts no crimp on the bullet. If your bullets have no cannelure, you can't very well get a roll crimp without buckling the case.