Hi all:

Here's the background on a reloading problem I'm having...

(40) 6.5x55 Lapua brass, all full-length sized & trimmed-to-length when new. Loaded, then once-fired in my Husky m/38b. Reloaded the second time by neck-sizing with a Lee Collet die. Then loaded per the same load and specs as the first firing. So far, so good.

Now, here's the problem...

At a military match a few weeks ago, 3 of those 40 rounds refused to chamber. The bolt handle could only be turned a fraction of its travel and stopped, trying to force it made it "lock up", but the bolt was not closed all the way. Luckily, I only needed 35 rounds for the match - whew! After returning home, I pulled the 3 bullets (after confirming the OAL was right on spec) and tried to chamber them again -- no dice.

Then I measured the 3 cases, and here's the results:
Top of neck diameter = OK
Bottom of neck diameter = OK
Rim diameter = OK
Above rim diameter = OK
1/16" above rim = OK
1/8" above rim = OK
At shoulder/case body juncture = OK
("OK" means they measure the same as the other 37 brass)

Finally, in desperation, I pulled out the Stoney Point headspace gage that Lefty (my twin) gave me, and lo & behold -- got the same exact measurement as on all the others, which also matches the measurement I wrote down 2 or 3 years ago for once-fired brass from that same rifle.

Guys, I can't find ANYTHING else to measure on these cases -- except for the depth of the cut for the rim. But then again, all these rounds chambered and fired OK the first time. And the same rifle was used every time.

This has me totally stumped... Any ideas? *

( * Besides dumping the 3 brass, replacing them and pouring a large glass of Jack Daniel's Old No.7... Or two...)

As attractive an option as that is, I hate to trash new Lapua brass, and it'd be great to know what caused the problem so I can correct it in the future. One would think that if it was the neck-sizing only on the 2nd time, that more than 3 of 40 would have been impacted.

Would sure appreciate any thought on this...

Old No7

Seven,

I would bet it is in the sizing process.

Put them back thru the die, and if it is an RCBS or similar die, after the die is tightened all the way down, tighten it another 1/8 to 1/4 of a turn.

Size the die and then see if it will chamber.

If not do turns in 1/8th increments until it will.

Check the shoulder dimensions on a new piece of brass and on the problem ones.

If it is Model 38, that surprises me. I have a Mauser 96 and it will almost chamber a waste paper basket.( LoL)
Yet it is a very accurate shooter.

If it is not hanging up on the shoulder then it is hanging up on the neck being too thick. HOwever with scandanavian brass, and their level of QC,, I find that to be of doubt.

Cheers and Good shooting
Seafire

Try putting some Motor Mica, graphite on the inside of the case neck prior to sizing, to ease the exit of the expander button.
Jim

No7,

I have a similar problem with the Lee collet die. I think that it comes from putting too much pressure on the "crimp" and bulging the neck. The amount necessary to create the problem is very small; smaller than I can judge with the eye. And it is hard to measure it too.

Please post your "finding." I would be very interested since I like the ease of loading with the collet die. I have decided that when dependability counts, to test load every round. Ku-dude

One remote possibility... maybe your chamber is a little out of round. The fired brass is slightly oval, and just happened to get in the chamber 90 degrees from how it did the first time.

Or, maybe the neck brass is just a little on the thick side, and your chamber is on the tight side. In my experience, Lapua brass tends to be just a tiny bit thick.

Or the three bullets are .0005" over, and caused the neck to swell enough to stick.

Keep checking... the answer is in there somewhere. Good luck.

Case too long with case mouth hitting end of chamber, or out-of-round chamber (and reinserting at a different rotation, as mentioned above). Those would be my first two guesses.

Most competitors will try each cartridge in their rifle to see if it will funtion before the match. That eliminates problems on the line.

Most people who shoot competition will use partial sizing and size just enuff to ensure reliable feeding. Neck sizing dies are great for benchrest, bad for highpower.

All cases should be length inspected, eyeballed all over otherwise each time.

I have had this happen on several rifles, most notably a Rem 700 in 300 Weatherby that I handload for.

I haven't let this stop me from neck sizing only, although I always check case length afterwards.

It only effects 3 to 5 cases out of every 50.

Before I take ammo on a hunting trip I always cycle each round through the rifle. The few that don't fit easily get disassembled and full length resized when I get back.

I wouldn't do anything different if I were you. Only a few cases are effected.