Bolt Won't Close on Factory Ammo? UPDATE 12/8/2013 - Problem Found

[Phil3]

Re: Bolt Won't Close on Factory Ammo?

I am undecided on what to do with this ammo. I bought the Hornady ammo 4 - 5 years ago (when I was less knowledgeable), but have no real use for it now (do my own reloading). I don't want to sell it given it won't chamber in at least one factory gun. The AR seems to digest it, so may just use it in that for personal shooting practice. I could try setting the shoulder back a bit, but that seems potentially dangerous with a live round. Not going there unless it can be shown it would be safe to do so.

Phil

 

[Phil3]

Re: Bolt Won't Close on Factory Ammo?

I'm curious to see what a fired case measures.

So am I, and will report on that when I have a chance to get to the range.

Given that chambering in the AR seems to nudge the shoulder back enough to chamber it in the Howa, my plan is to measure the Hornady rounds that will not chamber. Then, chamber them in the AR to nudge the shoulder back a bit. This process worked on one round and hope it works on the others. Measure those rounds to get to a range where the Howa will and will not chamber. Fire the rounds in the Howa. Measure the rounds. If the measurement of the fired rounds is less than the Hornandy brass, then I know the Howa headspace is too tight and/or the Hornandy ammo is excessively long head-to-shoulder.

The fact that the Hornady ammo fits into my AR and THEN fits into the Howa (when it didn't before being chambered in the AR), suggests that the slamming AR bolt nudged the shoulder back enough to fit the Howa. Just a theory. Makes one wonder about change in headspace once the bolt is slammed on the cartridge... I've never measured before and after.

I did measure 10 once fired brass from the AR. The case head-to-shoulder dimension is several thousandths of inch SMALLER than the unfired brass from Hornady. How can the new Hornady brass chamber? I've no idea, but maybe a slamming bolt is enough to force it in. Or maybe I just can't measure worth a damn. But slamming the bolt on a Hornady round that previously did not fit in the Howa now results in the round chambering in the Howa. It is like the AR and slamming bolt is a little shoulder setback device. Just speculating and have to do more testing.

Phil

 

[wvuredneck09]

Re: Bolt Won't Close on Factory Ammo?

Be careful slamming the suspected long rounds into the AR. Slam fires are more of a risk with headspace issues. I'm sure you know this already but I just thought I'd mention it.

 

[Old Navy]

Re: Bolt Won't Close on Factory Ammo?

Be careful slamming the suspected long rounds into the AR. Slam fires are more of a risk with headspace issues. I'm sure you know this already but I just thought I'd mention it.

I would not run them through your AR. Been there and done that. If you stick one in it you will be in deep doo doo. I have run a few live rounds through a sizing die over the years. How many rounds do you have? Later! Frank

 

[jimbo88mm]

Re: Bolt Won't Close on Factory Ammo?

I would contact Hornady. I bet they would change it out. I don't think it would matter that you bought them 5 years ago.

 

[Phil3]

Re: Bolt Won't Close on Factory Ammo?

Thanks for the advice. No more Hornady in the AR! For the reasons cited.

Phil

 

[Phil3]

I updated the original post. Problem found. Repeated here.

UPDATE 12/8/2013

I forgot that I had a Wilson Case Gauge, that would quickly tell me whether the Hornady 223 factory ammo I had was within SAAMI specs. So, pulled out the gauge and tested the Hornady ammo that would not chamber. They all fail. All sit above the top level of the gauge. A small steel ruler set across the top level of the gauge rocks on the case head and will not sit across both sides of the Wilson gauge. Clearly, the Hornady ammo is out of spec. Other factory ammo I have easily fits within the Wilson gauge, and it chambers just fine.

 

[BoydAllen]

Thanks for the update. It sounds like Hornady owes you some replacement ammo.

 

[Phil3]

I bought the Hornady ammo years ago, so not sure they would take it. I have the box label, but not the box. I can ask them.

Phil

 

[K22]

I updated the original post. Problem found. Repeated here.

UPDATE 12/8/2013

I forgot that I had a Wilson Case Gauge, that would quickly tell me whether the Hornady 223 factory ammo I had was within SAAMI specs. So, pulled out the gauge and tested the Hornady ammo that would not chamber. They all fail. All sit above the top level of the gauge. A small steel ruler set across the top level of the gauge rocks on the case head and will not sit across both sides of the Wilson gauge. Clearly, the Hornady ammo is out of spec. Other factory ammo I have easily fits within the Wilson gauge, and it chambers just fine.

There was been a lot of unfavorable comments made about Wilson Case Gages - I've used them successfully for many years for setting up my full length sizing die off a rifle specific once fired case and I'm pleased to see that the Gage proved useful to you albeit in a different purpurse.

 

[Phil3]

Had not known about unfavorable comments on the Wilson. I have found it useful to ensure my new at the time reloading skills were double checked. I would resize the brass, but was I setting the shoulder back too far, not enough...? I used the gauge to make sure nothing was too way out of whack. To that end, it has served me well and confirmed the case sizing was as expected.

Phil