Hard bolt lift but not every time

[Nomad88]

I’ve got a new rifle in 6.5CM. Loaded some 140’s in new starline brass with cci450 primers from 41.5-42.3gr. I had hard bolt lift on a few in each charge weight, but not all.
Also had it with factory Hornady whitetail 129, but not with every round.

What would cause this? The rounds that did have a heavier lift, had slight primer cratering and ejector marks.

rifle is a bergara premier series

 

[Richard Jones]

41.5-42.3gr. of what? Do you have any pics of the fired cases showing the cratering/swipe?

 

[Nomad88]

41.5-42.3gr. of what? Do you have any pics of the fired cases showing the cratering/swipe?

I’m in the deer blind currently but I’ll get some. H4350

 

[Richard Jones]

Not my pic, but.....

 

[Clancy]

I’m in the deer blind currently but I’ll get some. H4350

You started a grain over max, according to Hodgdon data. As for the hornady ammo, I don’t know. Was it left in the sun? Was the chamber dried out after cleaning?

 

[Larry Koch]

41.5-42.3gr. of what? Do you have any pics of the fired cases showing the cratering/swipe?

He is using pixie dust. aka some stuff in a bottle.

 

[joshb]

Your load is too hot. Back down below book max.
I’ve read reports about Hornady ammo being too hot and causing problems in some guns.

 

[L.Sherm]

Your load is too hot. Back down below book max.
I’ve read reports about Hornady ammo being too hot and causing problems in some guns.

I can vouch for that on Horny factory ammo

 

[linebaugh]

Just built a 6.5 creed for a buddy and hornady factory ammo is fricken hot. 129gr sst superformance at 2950fps in a brand new 26" bbl @ 38 degrees. I only bring up the new bbl because its probably going to speed up at 50-80 rounds so it may push 2975++ in hot weather with a broke in bbl. THATS HOT. It for sure flattened and cratered primers, every single one of them.

 

[Nomad88]

Just built a 6.5 creed for a buddy and hornady factory ammo is fricken hot. 129gr sst superformance at 2950fps in a brand new 26" bbl @ 38 degrees. I only bring up the new bbl because it’s probably going to speed up at 50-80 rounds so it may push 2975++ in hot weather with a broke in bbl. THATS HOT. It for sure flattened and cratered primers, every single one of them.

The 129 American white tail was moving at 2890 out of a 24”. I was like Whoa!!! This barrel is fast though.

I’ve never had a 6.5 that I didn’t run 42-43 gr of h4350 in without issue.

Just weird to me how some have pressure signs, some don’t.

Brass is in order of lowest charge to highest

 

[K22]

Hard bolt lift and ejector marks are almost always signs of high pressure, the primers not so much. You need to reassess you loads by starting at the lower end of the published data and work up slowly.

I can't comment on the factory ammo but if it is showing these signs also, it's too hot for your rifle.

 

[linebaugh]

The 129 American white tail was moving at 2890 out of a 24”. I was like Whoa!!! This barrel is fast though.

I’ve never had a 6.5 that I didn’t run 42-43 gr of h4350 in without issue.

Just weird to me how some have pressure signs, some don’t.

Brass is in order of lowest charge to highest
View attachment 1608503View attachment 1608504

Agree. depending on seating depth that charge does not give me pause.

FYI. American whitetail 129 was the first 20 rnds on this bbl for break in. 2840fps

 

[linebaugh]

I’ve got a new rifle in 6.5CM. Loaded some 140’s in new starline brass with cci450 primers from 41.5-42.3gr. I had hard bolt lift on a few in each charge weight, but not all.
Also had it with factory Hornady whitetail 129, but not with every round.

What would cause this? The rounds that did have a heavier lift, had slight primer cratering and ejector marks.

rifle is a bergara premier series

Do you have velocity numbers here?

 

[CJ6]

Curious what difference in weight there is between the cases of those that you reloaded.

 

[jds holler]

And how "hard" was your hard bolt lift? I like it when it's getting a little tight, but I'd still be able to lever it up with my pinky finger.

It looks to me like you're getting some ejector prints though, and that's a little much. jd

 

[Bill Norris]

I’ve got a new rifle in 6.5CM. Loaded some 140’s in new starline brass with cci450 primers from 41.5-42.3gr. I had hard bolt lift on a few in each charge weight, but not all.
Also had it with factory Hornady whitetail 129, but not with every round.

What would cause this? The rounds that did have a heavier lift, had slight primer cratering and ejector marks.

rifle is a bergara premier series

I think the difference between the hard bolt lift and not would be some of the brass is moving more than others on the initial firing. Individual case capacity would dictate that within the realm of the brass lot.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Oou-wee! Look at them ejector prints.

 

[bks22345]

Hard bolt lift and ejector marks are almost always signs of high pressure, the primers not so much. You need to reassess you loads by starting at the lower end of the published data and work up slowly.

I can't comment on the factory ammo but if it is showing these signs also, it's too hot for your rifle.

I see primer flow around the firing pin indent. Load is too hot. I shoot 40.8 gr of 4350 with a 142 SMK with starline large rifle primer brass.

Starline brass is normally very consistent.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Your load is too hot. Back down below book max.
I’ve read reports about Hornady ammo being too hot and causing problems in some guns.

I’m reloading some Hornady 6.5 Creedmoor brass bought here off a member with very nice custom actions. It’s obvious that there were different types of ammo from the lot, some were a couple thou’s longer than others on headspace and of course brass trimming varied after sizing.

 

[Clancy]

@Nomad88 i can understand falling into a pattern of “they all like that load” if they’re all the same barrel maker and number/diameter of grooves and cut with the same Reamer, but that’s not the case here.

Back way off, do a seating depth test, then some powder work.