338 Lapua issue

[thor2j]

Have a dilemma and can't solve.

I have been reloading for a very long time and very successful at it,......for the most part. Shot in many competitions with my reloads and have done well. Reloaded 30 different calibers.

My one issue is 338 Lapua. I have been fighting with it for 15 years. Not accuracy but the cases don't seem to resize near the web.

Factory new case is around .5830" just north of the extractor groove . It tapers down to .5770 at what I call the web, about .1750" from extractor groove.

A once fired case (factory Berger) has the measurements at .5830" and .5820" at web. A growth at the web of .0050-.0060. No problem there just fitting the chamber. The problem occurs after second firing. That web area expands(bulges) again out to .5840-.5850. Once they get to .5850" they don't chamber without a fight. Extraction wise I have to smack the bolt to get them out and take some light force on bolt to push down.

Now this is with very light load like 92 gr of RL-33 or 85 gr H1000. Even heavy loads I have exact same results. Using berger and Lapua 300gr Bullets makes no difference. Loaded .02" off lands.

I have the Redding Type S Match reloading dies. Full length and body only. Same results with both. It doesn't resize this area at all. Shoulder gets bumped perfect but that bulge doesn't go down. The dies and the press (Rockchucker) are the only commonalities in this whole thing but there are 2 different ones giving same results(dies).

Things I have tried. Bought a newer Desert Tech , competition shell holders, annealing, different lubes, over camming, and probably many others. Most frustration thing ever as It shoots lights out and I have had it out to 2470 yards. Just cant use the cases past 2 or 3 times depending on how much it bulges.

 

[fisherman987]

You may need to consider a custom die that does resize that area. Alex Wheeler at Wheeler Accuracy in Florida knows a great deal about 338 Lapua and he could tell you exactly what the problem is. His information can be found on the internet.

 

[msalm]

Sounds like a push through ring die with an ID of .583 would be helpful. That’s likely what I would make and try.

 

[SKWERLZ]

Out of curiosity what action is this on?

Kinda sounds like you have a tight chamber at the .200 line and it’s not letting the die’s work.

 

[thor2j]

Out of curiosity what action is this on?

Kinda sounds like you have a tight chamber at the .200 line and it’s not letting the die’s work.

Its a Desert Tech SRS A2. Had an A1 with same results.

 

[thor2j]

You may need to consider a custom die that does resize that area. Alex Wheeler at Wheeler Accuracy in Florida knows a great deal about 338 Lapua and he could tell you exactly what the problem is. His information can be found on the internet.

Sent him an email. Thanks

 

[338 Mollett]

Had the same issues .

 

[SKWERLZ]

Its a Desert Tech SRS A2. Had an A1 with same results.

Well we can rule out flimsy action.

Fired brass seems awfully close to virgin.
I like more growth at the base so dies can actually work brass to yield.

 

[thor2j]

Had the same issues .

Did you get it solved??

 

[coldboreshot]

I would try to acquire a reamer print from Desert Tech and forward it to Alex for assessment. Going out on a limb here, but if this is not an inherent problem with many of their 338L barrels then perhaps your chamber was cut after one-too-many chamberings prior to yours.

 

[thor2j]

I would try to acquire a reamer print from Desert Tech and forward it to Alex for assessment. Going out on a limb here, but if this is not an inherent problem with many of their 338L barrels then perhaps your chamber was cut after one-too-many chamberings prior to yours.

Problem is exact same thing happened to my other 338 barrel from them.

 

[ebb]

If it is Berger that the brass came from is it safe to assume it is Lapua brass? If that is the case, Ive been using it for way over a decade and shooting partner also, and never an issue with the brass.

 

[338 Mollett]

Did you get it solved??

Yes I did . I made a small base die that helped . I also got clickers with a 338 Norma . Went and made my own 338 cartridge and get clickers there too , it,s just part of the ball game . I do run them a little hot , but just a little . LOL

 

[FeMan]

To get past the clickers on a 338 Lapua case with the dies that are available commercially, you need a reamer that gives you around 0.589 at the B-line. From what you are sharing, it sounds like your chamber is tighter. You would have to measure with pin gages to know for sure, but 3x fired brass brass should settle in pretty well and if you are having issues chambering 0.585 brass, it seems to indicate it is 0.585 or very close.

A custom ring or sizing die of the right measurements should eliminate the issue. You could also have the chamber set back with a reamer spec'd to a wider base.

 

[coldboreshot]

Problem is exact same thing happened to my other 338 barrel from them.

Sounds like a particular reamer then. Interesting though, I would think a factory production weapon would have a Saami spec chamber. I don't have any issues with my 338L chamber in my Sako TRG I've been running for the better part of 20years.

 

[thor2j]

To get past the clickers on a 338 Lapua case with the dies that are available commercially, you need a reamer that gives you around 0.589 at the B-line. From what you are sharing, it sounds like your chamber is tighter. You would have to measure with pin gages to know for sure, but 3x fired brass brass should settle in pretty well and if you are having issues chambering 0.585 brass, it seems to indicate it is 0.585 or very close.

A custom ring or sizing die of the right measurements should eliminate the issue. You could also have the chamber set back with a reamer spec'd to a wider base.

What exactly do you mean by custom ring??

Is best bet to just get a custom sizing die made from 3x fired brass?

 

[Jason D Hostetter]

Y'all might think I'm insane, but buy a Lee 2 die 338lm die set, and just use the fl die for the body and shoulder bump. Then use a good seater. 35 bucks will fix your problem. I went from using a lot of Redding dies, to mostly RCBS GMM dies, because the Redding dies wouldn't size the base. It was particularly bad, in 6.5 PRC, 7 SAUM, 300wsm, and 338lm.

 

[FeMan]

What exactly do you mean by custom ring??

Is best bet to just get a custom sizing die made from 3x fired brass?

A push through ring die like msalm recommended above.

 

[SKWERLZ]

To get past the clickers on a 338 Lapua case with the dies that are available commercially, you need a reamer that gives you around 0.589 at the B-line. From what you are sharing, it sounds like your chamber is tighter. You would have to measure with pin gages to know for sure, but 3x fired brass brass should settle in pretty well and if you are having issues chambering 0.585 brass, it seems to indicate it is 0.585 or very close.

A custom ring or sizing die of the right measurements should eliminate the issue. You could also have the chamber set back with a reamer spec'd to a wider base.

Exactly.

I’m curious as to the vintage of the barrel, years ago the tight (minimum) chamber craze was happening, I got burned with a 260 barrel with similar issues.
Now I want my chambers thicc.

 

[thor2j]

Exactly.

I’m curious as to the vintage of the barrel, years ago the tight (minimum) chamber craze was happening, I got burned with a 260 barrel with similar issues.
Now I want my chambers thicc.

The barrel on this one is probably 3 years old.