Background: I'm new to reloading, using Sierra GameKing 165 grain Spitzer bullets to load .30-06 rounds in front of IMR 4064 as per the Sierra Handbook 5th Edition. I'm using a Lee reloading press with Lee dies.

Questions:

1. The C.O.A.L. is listed as 3.330", which makes it look a little long to my eye. I made a dummy round and tried to chamber it in the intended firearm, a Savage 114 Classic, and it seems a little stiff when closing the bolt. Is this a problem?

2. The GameKing does not have a crimp line, so of course I didn't use a crimp. Is this a problem?

1. Is it a F/L die set up according to the instructions that came with it?

2. New brass or once fired?

3. If 1x, was it fired in your rifle?

4. Never mind about the crimp.

quote:

Originally posted by wasbeeman:
1. Is it a F/L die set up according to the instructions that came with it?

2. New brass or once fired?

3. If 1x, was it fired in your rifle?

4. Never mind about the crimp.

+1

1. Yes, a full length die set up using the instructions that came with it.

2. New brass (Winchester). I noticed that the mouth on these was anything but uniform, so I did run them through the F/L resizer.

3. N/A.

4. If I were to be using a .30-06 BAR would that make a difference regarding the crimp issue?

After full length resizing did you measure your case length and trim if cases are long? If you F/L resized it's gonna add length to your case. I shoot once fired cases and not sure if the shoulder will be moved forward enough to warrant bumping the shoulder back down to size on new cases (someone with more experience chime in). Do all the rounds feel tight trying to close the bolt? When starting with a new batch of cases i feed a sized case in by hand and try to close the bolt so i know if it's tight it's not the bullet touching the lands.

Well, it's new brass, but I did measure several to be sure.

I also worked some unprimed brass through the action, and that works fine, so I don't think it's the neck that is causing the pressure.

you are probab;y stretchin the brass as the expander is pulled from the brass. lube the inside of the neck and resize a couple. chamber them, feel for resistnce as you close the bolt. adjust the die in a little at a time untill you can not feel any resistance.

Bartsche ... thanks, I'll give it a try tomorrow.

It chambers fine with factory ammo.

heck, try the brass unsized and unprimed

I did ... unprimed, unsized brass cycles fine. The neck doesn't get in the way at all.

Problem solved.

I had failed to remove the case lube after sizing. Rookie mistake. Things cycle fine now.

Be sure and swab your chamber out with a patch soaked in brake cleaner.

I always full size new brass in any caliber. New brass is not to exact spec as it has tolerances and manufacturing variable that affect shoulder & neck dimensions. If you compare a full sized new brass with an unsized one, you will see the distinct differences in the shoulder & neck areas. I always trim & weigh new brass after sizing to establish uniform lots.

I would also recommend that you try H4350 powder - it will give you more uniform velocities under different temperatures.

quote:

Originally posted by Deertick:
Problem solved.

I had failed to remove the case lube after sizing. Rookie mistake. Things cycle fine now.

I'm a little surprised this would happen unless you were picking up some grit or powder clinging.
although you have solved the problem I forgot to point out another potential candidate.

Swelling or buldging at the shoulder body junction caused by your seating die being too far down and the crimping portion pushes down on the neck. roger

Old age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone..