About 2 months ago I went on a bender buying up all of the 300 Wby brass I could, online and locally. Probably secured close to 300 rounds, not that shooting the Wby is that much fun, but figured that way I would hopefully not have to buy any more for years. All of it is Wby headstamp and probably 90% was sold as once fired, with the remainder being new, 2nd, or 3rd firings. Now for the fun part, I have a brand new WBY vangaurd sub-MOA, finally got time two weeks ago to put together some rounds and begin barrel break in, when low and behold, less than 1% of the fired brass will chamber, most makes it to within an 1/8th on an inch with some just not allowing the bolt to close all the way. Afer several attempts to resize the brass with no relief I began measuring at several points along the case and found the only difference between 99% of the fired brass and the new brass was ~.003" in the diameter of the case body. Now I don't think this is out of the norm for the used brass since it is from multiple sources fired through multiple rifles and is fairly consistent throughout the lot, is this a problem with my rifle(which chambers new brass with no issues), will this go away as the rifle gets shot more. Or do I just find someone with a 300 WBY that will chamber this brass and make him a deal. Thanks for any advice

Jcarr, brass is regarded as handloader's gold. You never sell it. It is nevertheless true that you will have to size the brass. After sizing it in the normal way, check it in the gun by chambering the case and close the bolt. Open it again and close it again. If it closes OK the sizing was sufficient, but if it still closes difficult, you need to adjust the dies with a further 1/4 turn in until it closes OK. Sometimes the press must over-cam a little bit. This will push back the shoulders a little more.

This will fix the problem:

http://www.larrywillis.com/

(Belted Magnum Collet Resizing Die)

Can't see how the issue will go away with age. Things that come to my mind. Are the fired cases too long? Do they need trimming? Is this s new die have you used it successfully? Since the fired brass was fired in different chambers did you FLS your brass or did you neck size or partial resize? Did you get a solid contact between die and shell holder?

I would check the length, insure firm contact with the shell holder and if that didn't help take a case and cover it with a black marker and see if I could tell exactly where the case was hanging up.

Can you explain how you have your sizing die adjusted?? Once cases have been resized they should chamber. Some may have slight resistance when the bolt is closed but they should chamber. To adjust your size die I would suggest the following. With the die removed from your press push the press handle all the way down so the ram is in its uppermost position. Screw your die into the press until the bottom of the die touchs the top of the shell holder. This may require moving the locking ring up from its present position. Once the die touchs the shellholder screw the lock ring down to touch the top of the press. When you raise the press handle and then lower it again you should feel the shellholder touch the bottom of the die and "toggle over". Resize a case and try that in your rifle.It should now chamber. Once the case has been fired in your rifle I would suggest you make a thin sheet metal washer to place under your die before you resize your cases. You can buy such washers as 3/4 to 1/2 in reducing washers in the electrical dept of your local hardware store. This will result in much longer case life as you will then be headspacing on the shoulder and not on the belt. Hope that helps.

Brass has been FLS and trimmed, first thought was the angle of the shoulder, no dice. FLS die touches shellholder, and have tried adjusting to the point it "cams over", still no go. Have two sets of die, Redding brand new and older RCBS, tried both setups. Absolutely no discernable difference between new unfired and shoulder of once fired. Only measurable difference between new and the fired ones is diameter, and I think Smokin Joe might have the solution.

As for going away with use, honestly never thought it would, but hoped for it, some new gun break in that I had never heard of or some such. Oddly enough while I have been shooting for years, and have more than a couple guns, I can't ever remember buying a new one. So I guess I was somewhat hopeful the chamber might "loosen" up with use. Although for the life of me I couldn't even throw out a theory as to how .

Blacken a case with a magic marker and try to chamber it. This will tell you where you need to go with regards to your die adjustment.
1X brass not chambering in a different rifle is not new nor is it some exotic problem (usually). Set ur die so it has something of a "cam over" feeling at the top of the stroke and when you resize a case, there shouldn't be any gap between the shell holder and the bottom of the die. This should make your problem go away. After you have fired all the brass or however much you want on line at this time in your rifle, you can re-set the die to suit you.

Note to self: Always F/L resize 1X brass AND verify that it will chamber before loading it up.

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I went on a bender buying up all of the 300 Wby brass I could

Well, J-Carr - S**T!

No wonder the World's Supply of 300 Wby brass dried-up!

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not that shooting the Wby is that much fun

Just practice, either you'll develop the Flinch from Hell or get used to it - either way your shoulder'll go numb!

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I have a brand new WBY vangaurd sub-MOA

Now, that's a Good Thing!

Pardon my humor .... to the issue.

You've already received some great advice.

That Belted Magnum Collet Resizing Die isn't the most inexpensive piece of reloading kit available but apparently they work well. Never used one nor even seen one other than advertising but understand the concept. I've loaded many a Belted Magnum in my life-time and have never had use for it (yet).

There's no doubt that the brass you've purchased is about as "different" as it gets but "Brass is a Reloader's Gold".

I'm +however many above on the try to "adjust your FL Die" again. If that is the issue you're one-step ahead of the Ball-Game IMO.

Another Check-Me is which shell holder are you using? Same one every time? For their inexpensive price get another, borrow another and then measure their height. Use the "thinnest".

I've got a 7mm Rem. Mag. & a 8x57IS that (the way I've got the F/L Dies set-up for their chamber's) will not allow me to use other than one specific shellholder or the sizing goes wacky.

Good Luck & Have Fun with your Sub-MOA!

Wasbee, thought of that but had not done it, just got home and tried it. Just as I suspected the case is making hard contact with the chamber about 1/2 inch above the belt. Which brings my next question, has anyone used a Redding Body Die? It seems to "offer" the same as the Belted Mag Collet die, but at about a 1/3 of the cost. Still if it doesn't work, doesn't matter how cheap it is.
www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/...productNumber=444319

Gerry what can I say, I am a brass whore, even for crap I don't reload, if I can get a deal I seem to buy it. I'll back off a bit though if someone notices a world shortage of good used brass .

As for adjusting the die more, I have gone down far enough to create a crimped look in one case shoulder, still unable to chamber.

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Originally posted by jcarr:
As for adjusting the die more, I have gone down far enough to create a crimped look in one case shoulder, still unable to chamber.

I'm not entirely certain what this means. However, that cartridge is suppose to head space on the belt. moving the shoulder down and at the same time reducing the body diameter near the belt may be a good thing. Seeing as how you got a whole bunch ****try a few. You might be pleasantly surprised. Than again*** maybe not. roger

quote:

Originally posted by jcarr:
Brass has been FLS and trimmed, first thought was the angle of the shoulder, no dice. FLS die touches shellholder, and have tried adjusting to the point it "cams over", still no go. Have two sets of die, Redding brand new and older RCBS, tried both setups. Absolutely no discernable difference between new unfired and shoulder of once fired. Only measurable difference between new and the fired ones is diameter, and I think Smokin Joe might have the solution.

As for going away with use, honestly never thought it would, but hoped for it, some new gun break in that I had never heard of or some such. Oddly enough while I have been shooting for years, and have more than a couple guns, I can't ever remember buying a new one. So I guess I was somewhat hopeful the chamber might "loosen" up with use. Although for the life of me I couldn't even throw out a theory as to how .

Take your expander ball out of the sizer die.
Lube the cases well and size very slowly. Rotate the case 1/3 turn and resize again slowly, rotate 1/3 turn and size again slowly.
Oh yeah at the top of each stroke let the press dwell about 15 seconds to let the brass move.

Now check it in your rifle.

I'm gonna bet that the dimple in your case shoulder comes from over lubing not a die thats set too low. Once again, if you can see a space between the shell holder and the bottom of the die, you have not got your die set far enough down.

It's not a dimple, it is more of a wrinkle(similar to a crimp pattern)that runs the full circumference of the case where the neck meets the shoulder. Essentially I have set the die so far down in this case I have crushed the neck down. Unfortunately I can't take a picture that will show this exactly, I just don't have the resolution. As far as there being space between the die and shellholder, not a chance. You guys are gonna have to believe me when I say, the first thing I thought of was adjusting my sizer die, and have multiple times, and it hasn't fixed a thing.

I know this is a dumb question this late date but you are using normal FL resizing die correct?

Since ithe inside of a FL resizer is a mirror of the case I'm at a loss of what is marking your shoulder. There is no edge it is a double radius.

The only solution I know of was given to you by Smoken Joe: [EMAIL]larrywillis.com[/EMAIL]. I have used this die and it works!

Your problem is not uncommon with belted magnums. Mr. Willis explains the problem and the solution very well. He is also very helpful. I stuck a case in the die and he removed to case at no cost. The time involved was less than 1 week.

With unfired 300 Weatherby brass selling for $1.20 to $1.90 per round, this die is worth it. You may need to use it again after 2-4 reloadings of the cases.

Bob Snell

Bob, I agree I think it is a matter of case expansion above the belt. I was curious if anyone had used the Redding body die I listed a link for above. It claims to do the same as the belted mag collet die, but for far less $. If anyone has used it I would greatly appreciate any input. Thanks

I think, for the price, I'd certainly try the Redding die first. It might just work.

You might contact Redding and see what they say about it:

Phone (607)753-3331

http://www.redding-reloading.c...ct-redding-reloading

A random thought: You say the shoulder is collapseing?? Could the cases be too long?
FWIW, I certainly call both of the die manufactorers up and see what they have got to say. If you problem exist with BOTH dies, I've just got to say the prob is with the brass.

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This will fix the problem:

http://www.larrywillis.com/

Agreed! I use it every time I reload a belted Mag case. It works.

.

Not precisely on topic but you can make 300Wby cases out of 300 H&H simply by firing them in your rifle. They are even not bad in the accuracy department when you do it!

On topic--if you are having trouble sizing brass that has been fired in your rifle, I would wonder about the interior dimensions of the chamber.

I don't see how a FL sizing die can buckle the cases at the shoulder, even if it is set up to "cam over" on the sizing cycle. That will resize the case as much as is possible with the die and that shouldn't buckle the cases at the shoulder.

Are you sure your using the proper die? Are you sure your using a FL sizing die? Double and triple check everything--something doesn't sound right.

Who makes your die? Call or write to the die manufacturer and explain the problem to them. I'm almost certain they will send you a new die that will size the case so it will chamber in your rifle. They usually have you send in some cases that do chamber properly and they will send a die that will duplicate those cases.

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Originally posted by JTEX:

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This will fix the problem:

http://www.larrywillis.com/

Agreed! I use it every time I reload a belted Mag case. It works.

.

+3 I use it with my 375 H&H brass every reload as well.

For anyone interested finally got in the Redding body sizer die. Picked one of the worst offenders(bolt would not only not close, could not be pressed in closer than 1/2 inch of being able to begin to rotate the bolt)ran it through the sizer and whoa! the little bastard will chamber!! Now I just have to go through and do this to a couple hundred more and I am in business.

Cool!

Glad ya gotcha problem taken care of .....