I shot my contender in 358 JDJ[a rechamber 35 Rem]today. Working up loads I was shooting Nos 225 Balistic Tips. 3 shots at 46gr. AA 2520 - OK. 3 shots at 46.5 gr. of AA 2520 - OK. First shot at 47gr. AA 2520. Action opened Normal but stopped half way. I had to put some force to pop the rest of the way open.Looking at the case it had black residue at the junction of the neck and shoulder. I fired the remaining 2 cartridges and got the same results. I have never had this happen before and asume it is a sigh of high pressue. The specs I have list this powder up to 51gr. I relize That being a rechamber that I may not be able to reach top loads before pressue becomes a problem. But I figured I would get higher than this. Also the temps were pushing 100 degres would that make that much of a difference? Any info Or input would be appreciated. Thanks, Lone Hunter

Lone Hunter
It sounds like you might not have sized the case properly & may have had a lite charge of powder. I'm sure that one of the others who are more familuar with this cartirdge will jump in & help. Nothing to be concerned about, some minor adjustments are probably necessary. Good luck
Rich Jake

I had this exact thing happen with my 25-35 and I was using a starting load of H335, It only happened a couple times and I didnt pay much attention to it as my main concern at that time was just to make sure the gun went bang. I was using a new forend that we're trying out for bench rest and wrote the problem off on it.
Now I wonder what the problem really was? I have never experienced this or even heard of this problem until now.

Wes

This seems to be blow back and I had it while using lighter charges of faster powder and lighter bullets in my 411JDJ. AS soon as I used more and slower powder with a heavier bullet it stopped. May be due to case not expanding as quck as gas blows back around the cartridge neck.

Just MHO.

Thanks for the replies. I don't think it has any thing to do with case resizing because all the cases were resized at the same time. The only problem I had were with the last 3 at 47gr. If it were low pressure why did it not show up on the 46gr. and the 46.5gr. would they not be at lower pressures than the 47 gr. or is the primmer not able to ignite any larger amount of powder than 46.5 gr. And why would the action open the way it did if it is just blow by. When everyone talks about contender actions being hard to open is it when you first pull back on the trigger gaurd to open? or is it half way open when it get hard Like I am discribing? I need some more input please! Lone Hunter

LH,

Usually the action will unlock and begin to drop away but then "stops" when the other end of the extractor bar engages the frame surface to begin pushing the cartridge out of the chamber.

Does the case appear to come out so far and hang up or is the case still fully chambered when it hangs up?

Do you see the rimfire firing pin hole indent in the top of the primer?

Regards

Headstamp I don't see the rimfire hole mark. The last 3 primmers do have shinny spot on them were the first 6 don't. That could be just the start of the rim fire mark. The action seems to open until the ejector pushs on the rim of the case and then stops. The case is still firmly in the chamber. Even a day latter they still hang up at that point. If this is high pressure did the 100 degre heat make that much difference. Under cooler temps could I get closer to listed loads.Deer seasons temps in NC run from 30-80 degres. I don't usaly shoot in 100 degre temps. Thanks Lone Hunter

Well, if you don't see any rimfire hole mark on the upper edge of the primer, pressure MAY not be the problem although the high ambient conditions could be the fly in the ointment.

I'm assuming that you have shot this barrel for the first time?

The JDJ is a straight sided case and it is possible that the chamber may be causing the problem assuming this is your first outing with it. There is a possibility that when you reach a certain threshold of pressure the cases begin sticking.

Whether it is a chambering defect, I can't say. If I were you, I'd get on the horn to SSK and start asking some questions and see where that takes you.

Sorry I can't offer more to you to try.

Regards

I have had the barrel since JD rechambered it this spring. I have shot The loaded rounds that I bought from JD and the my own reloads. Maybe 100 rounds total. Working up to max slowly when time permits. This is the first problem. I think with the hot temps I was probly at max. I will try again when the temps are more reasonable. IT will be interesting to see the results. Thanks , Lone Hunter

I tend to agree with you LH, now that some more backround has come to light.

Especially if those rounds were in the sun but the ambient temp would do it too I'd imagine.

I'm not familiar with the temp stability of 2520 so I can't comment on that.

Let us know how you make out with further testing.

Regards

Lone Hunter
Why don't you try a slower powder? See if you get the same problem. I think that it was a combination of Too fast powder, Too much empty case,& too high temperature. I think that you'll probably find out that the above was the problem. Keep us updated.

By the way I had a similar problem with the 300 Whisper in my old T/C barrel. JD wrote me that shell temperatures could reach very high levels in the summer sun.
Rich Jake

Thanks for all the input everyone. I am headed out of state this weekend and my barrel is going with me. Putting it on a freinds frame and hoping to shoot a couple woodchucks[groundhogs]. It will be interesting to see what the 358JDJ - 225 Nosler Balitic Tip will do to a chuck. I wonder if it will just punch a hole or expand. Probly just punch a hole. I sure do miss hunting woodchucks. Thanks, Lone Hunter