Stuck Case Questions?

[trsmith1818]

Guys,

Im trying to figure out an issue Im having with cases getting stuck in the action. A little background, I reloaded 50 rounds in varying powder charges to work up a load for my new 30-06. The cases I used had been once fired in a previous 30-06 and then neck sized before being reloaded.

I went to the range on saturday and started sending some lead down range. I noticed several of the cases in varying charge loads were a little difficult to chamber an on occasion the case would get stuck and I had difficulty opening the bolt...the bolt handle would lift but not open without some encouragement. Again, not every case and it didnt seem to matter what the load was.

What could be some problems to investigate?

 

[sask boy]

I would think maybe different head space. I personally FL size all my reloads but that is not what a lot of reloaders do.
Just my opinion though.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[wisconsinteacher]

I agree with sask boy. I would full length size when using brass from a different rifle. I also FL size all my brass.

 

[Guest]

Yep - always FL size any brass that's been fired in a different rifle from the one in which you intend to use it next. After you fire it in your rifle, you can then neck size with no trouble. What you're seeing is that the previous 30-06 had a chamber closer to the max spec than your current -06 has. In some instances, the difference in chamber dimensions can be such that the neck sized rounds won't even chamber in the new rifle, which will be extremely frustrating when you get to the range and cannot even close the bolt. Just FL size this brass and neck size after you fire it in the new chamber.

 

[trsmith1818]

Thanks guys...do I have to deprime the live primers first?

 

[HeathSexton]

Pull the decapping pin and size away.


I have 2 30/06's and 2 sets of dies. My Ruger sized brass won't begin to chamber in my Remington.

 

[DrMike]

You've received some excellent advice. Chambers differ, sometimes by quite a bit. It is not at all uncommon that cases from one rifle will not fit the chamber on another. Hence, full length resizing is mandated when using brass from a different rifle. Heath is correct to advise you to pull the decapping pin and resize.

 

[trsmith1818]

awesome advice...this is why i love this forum

 

[Vince]

Thanks guys...do I have to deprime the live primers first?

No.

Heath nailed it. :grin:

Get a Lee FL Die and remove the decapping stem.

I keep a Lee FL die with the decapping stem removed handy for those times I have to pull a bullet and it's already primed.

Vince

 

[Divernhunter]

DO NOT remove the decapping stem! Just move it up until it does not punch out the primer. Then it will resize the case mouth on the up-stroke with the sizing ball after the die has sized it down smaller than it should be. The is the purpose of the expander ball on the decap stem.

Again DO NOT remove it just move it up

 

[Horsethief]

Clean the chamber with a brass chamber brush and make sure your brass is cleaned of all wax, oil, ect., because that will make for a sticky chamber, even with brass that has been full-lenght resized.

You might also have to trim the brass after it has been FL resized.

Good luck.