Bolt Click - 6BRA

[roklock]

Background...

Load:
105 hammers, 30.5 H4895, 450 primer.
JGS Wheeler print, with a .271 neck

Peterson brass, bolt click is happening on third firing of brass.

Harrell's #3 die, CO-Ax press, roughly .0025-.003 should bump. At the 200 datum, fired they are .471, after sizing they are .4695-.470

So, after doing some searching on the forum my question is, should I have more cut off the bottom of the die? What should be my target dimension for the 200 datum, .468?

Should I call Harrell's and order a 3.5 die?

Thanks,

Steve

 

[CaptainMal]

Obviously you need to talk with Alex.

I would not take off the bottom of the die as that would make a change in the shoulder position. A 3.5 should do it. Just funny as I use a 2.5 with NO issues.

Wondering if it is related to Peterson brass instead of Lapua?

 

[roklock]

Obviously you need to talk with Alex.

I would not take off the bottom of the die as that would make a change in the shoulder position. A 3.5 should do it. Just funny as I use a 2.5 with NO issues.

Wondering if it is related to Peterson brass instead of Lapua?

I’m not sure if it’s Peterson brass or the press. I have found, on forum searches, that the Co-Ax can cause issues and need to have more metal removed from die.

when I am sizing, I can’t screw in die any lower, as I am getting a very light “cam over” at current setting.

 

[ridgeway]

Ring die to pull base diameter down a little more or a new die that is smaller in base.

 

[Dave Way]

Are you annealing?

Dave.

 

[roklock]

Are you annealing?

Dave.

yes, after every firing.

 

[jelenko]

What is 'bolt click'?

 

[BartsBullets]

Fireforming with too hot of a load can cause your brass to take on a click as well

 

[roklock]

Fireforming with too hot of a load can cause your brass to take on a click as well

interesting, but I really haven’t noticed it, or paid attention, until this “third” firing.

my FF load was 29 grains of H4895, could find varget, 205m primers, roughly .005 into the lands.

 

[BartsBullets]

interesting, but I really haven’t noticed it, or paid attention, until this “third” firing.

my FF load was 29 grains of H4895, could find varget, 205m primers, roughly .005 into the lands.

Understand, it could take three firings to get it.

You also might try some Lapua brass and see if it goes away. Even if you just got one piece from a buddy and fired it several times.

 

[johara1]

Background...

Load:
105 hammers, 30.5 H4895, 450 primer.
JGS Wheeler print, with a .271 neck

Peterson brass, bolt click is happening on third firing of brass.

Harrell's #3 die, CO-Ax press, roughly .0025-.003 should bump. At the 200 datum, fired they are .471, after sizing they are .4695-.470

So, after doing some searching on the forum my question is, should I have more cut off the bottom of the die? What should be my target dimension for the 200 datum, .468?

Should I call Harrell's and order a 3.5 die?

Thanks,

Steve

.0025- .003 is a lot, you only need enough for the bolt to drop easy. You are over working the brass. what does the print say at the .200 line?The sizing you show should good. What is the chamber length and what is your trim length? can you put a pic. of the back of the case after it is fired?.... jim

 

[roklock]

You also might try some Lapua brass and see if it goes away. Even if you just got one piece from a buddy and fired it several times.

down side is I have 600 pieces of Peterson, really want to make that work.

 

[roklock]

.0025- .003 is a lot, you only need enough for the bolt to drop easy. You are over working the brass. what does the print say at the .200 line?The sizing you show should good. What is the chamber length and what is your trim length? can you put a pic. of the back of the case after it is fired?.... jim

I am using the wheeler method for shoulder bump/FL sizing, the measurement is what it is to get it to drop freely. Maybe because it isn't sizing the datum area enough I am the shoulder is bumping more than needed. I do have a very slight cam-over at the current die position now.

.4713 at datum (print)
1.570 Chamber
1.550 trim (trimmed after second firing to get all uniform lengths)

Pic below as requested...

 

[dfry]

If you have them try a 308 small base body die or sizer die with the stem removed to be sure you are sizing the head area of the case. Then run it into your BRA die for final sizing of shoulder, neck, etc. my Palma rifle is so tight that even a light load causes the click. I use a 270 small base die with no spindle to size first then into the 308 die for final sizing. Has always worked fine even with stout Palma loads.
Dave

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I have never used Peterson brass in the BRA. Your before and after #s would be fine with Lapua. If Peterson is on the soft side or you have expanded the solid head a little, a smaller die may help. If you expanded them a lot, theres no fixing them. Try a 3.5. As far as bump numbers go, make sure you comparator is measuring in the middle of the shoulder, and dont use the one that comes with that die.

 

[Ken]

Second on "What is bolt click?"

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Its the sound the bolt makes when the primary extraction cam breaks a tight case loose from the chamber.

 

[newbieshooter]

I'm running both Peterson and Lapua brass in my 6BRAI (.4715 @ .200). I have one Harrell's die and use the same die to size both Peterson/Lapua brass and I don't have problems shooting either brass. I do notice that my Harrell's die does not size the very bottom portion of Peterson brass whereas it sizes the entire length of Lapua brass. YMMV

 

[roklock]

Nothing to do with sizing as I agree with most everything said above and hope you can resolve the problem but isn’t your trim length a bit excessive? I have a chamber length of 1.574 on my BRA and trim my brass to 1.555. Just scared ya might get a carbon ring really fast with a big gap there! Good luck!!

That was a mistake on my part, it should have been 1.550. I fixed my post.

 

[roklock]

If Peterson is on the soft side or you have expanded the solid head a little, a smaller die may help. If you expanded them a lot, theres no fixing them.

Is there anyway I can check to see if the solid head has been over expanded?

Try a 3.5. As far as bump numbers go, make sure you comparator is measuring in the middle of the shoulder, and dont use the one that comes with that die.

I am going to send Harrell's my 3x fired cases and have them send me a 3.5 that will size the base tighter. I am also going to have my smith make a comparator for me from my reamer.