Today when out shooting some new loads I ran into something I have never had happen before, bolt was hard to open on a few loads after firing( bolt was also hard to close with these particular loads). I know this could be a pressure problem but all others shot fine. The loads were Nosler 50 gr BT's with Varget 35.5 grains, and Fed 210M's. Fired brass looked fine. This is below the printed info in Noslers load data and afew days before I shot the same load only with 36 grains of Varget with no problem. I only neck resized this bunch of brass, could it be I need to full length resize this brass or is this a pressure problem? Appreciate any input! Tim
Generally speaking, if your bolt is hard to close on a round then it is a sizing issue but if it chambers easy and the bolt is hard to lift after firing it is a pressure issue.
Full Length or Partial Full Length Resize and it should solve your problem.
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ALSO WILL ADD THAT IF YOUR SHOOTING A HOT GUN THE ROUND IN THE CHAMBER WILL COOK AND CAN CREATE HIGH PRESSURE. when you resize the cases make sure you use enough lube on the inside of the neck so as not to pull the expander from the neck causing the case to stretch.
Posts: 2134 | Location: Ohio | Registered: 26 June 2000
Originally posted by eddieharren: I agree with woods but, will add, check cases for length. Long cases can cause pressure spikes.
It has happened more than once.My buddy last week could not push a fresh bullet back into the just fired case. roger
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Posts: 10226 | Location: Temple City CA | Registered: 29 April 2003
GOOD POINTS! The brass was WIN and loaded 3 times before, trimmed to 1.90, the air temp was 76 degrees and the the gun was allowed to cool. I did run (Imperial wax) thru evry third neck when sizing on this batch, I ussually do every neck, but I did not encounter no problem when running thru the press. I'll be back to doing each one now though. Think I'll be bumping the shoulder back some, this should take care of this. Thanks for all the feedback,Tim
Originally posted by BDLD: ... I did run (Imperial wax) thru evry third neck when sizing on this batch....
This is very likely the reason of the "bolt hard to close"; you probably stretched a little the shoulder/neck, while pulling the sizer through the neck, due to the lack of lube.
If this is a .223 WSSM, then that is the problem. Every one I've worked up loads for had these same symptoms. I fixed the hard chambering by grinding .015" off the shell holder so I could bump the shoulder (couldn't bump with the factory setup regardless of adjustment). Don't think you'll ever get past the hard bolt lift unless you are shooting low-powered loads and have annealed your brass to make it softer.
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It has happened more than once.My buddy last week could not push a fresh bullet back into the just fired case. 
roger
