338 Lapua issue

[thor2j]

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.

I bought 3 different dies. RCBS, Whidden, and Wilson. Going to see if any work. Might get the Lee for kicks as well. Will let you know in a few weeks when I get back in town if any worked.

 

[Fire Dog]

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.

Time to get the Roll Sizer out….
Fixes those oversize/over expanded cases.
Both F Class John and Erik C have videos out showing the operation and Erik fixed a batch of cases that he was on the verge of discarding due to “Clicker” problems..
The machine rolls to size the area from the top of the extractor groove to just above the 200 line, that bit that conventional dies cannot touch.
It appears that your .338 Lapua has it big time… Especially if you are having to “Smack the bolt” to get the brass out…
I had that problem with a 280AI on second loads {not as severe as you seem to have} until I roll sized them and now I just run all my cases {all the calibres that I shoot} through on general principle.
There is some circumstantial evidence that it also helps prolong primer pockets if carried out through the life of the brass…
I’m just happy to have eliminated the hard/clicker extraction.

 

[thor2j]

So I got my 1st of 4 dies in the mail. The standard entry level RCBS. Well it shrinks the web down to .5840" from .5850" which is the sticking point. Redding match dies would never get it below .5850". Have a feeling it will still stick coming out but it chambers freely . Once they hit .5850" i can't chamber them without added pressure and smacking bolt with palm to eject. Will be interesting to see what the other 3 dies reduce it to if any.

Will load a few at the .5840 from RCBS and see what happens. But pretty sure it will grow and stick. Would really like it to take it down to .5820 or less.

 

[C.E.Smith043]

 

[thor2j]

I watched it. $950 is absurd

 

[DaveTooley]

It may sound crazy but you need 8-9 thou clearance over virgin brass on the Lapua. Either that or perfect dies matched to the chamber.

 

[thor2j]

It may sound crazy but you need 8-9 thou clearance over virgin brass on the Lapua. Either that or perfect dies matched to the chamber.

Custom dies are a whole lot cheaper

 

[C.E.Smith043]

I watched it. $950 is absurd

I agree, but it will fix the problem. Other choice is start over with new brass. Not a problem if you can find brass.

 

[JGSprecision]

I've been considering a ring sizing die with a thru bore and a pusher on the ram (like a Bullet sizer) for my 50BMG rounds.
The roller sizer is tweakable and good for multiple calibers (?).

 

[thor2j]

I agree, but it will fix the problem. Other choice is start over with new brass. Not a problem if you can find brass.

338 lapua brass is easy to come by.