Brain teaser

[Freestate101]

Brain Teaser for you.

CASE IN POINT: Rifle; Ruger #!, 6mm Rem.

Rifle was re barreled sometime back by an un-named gunsm

Here is the problem. 1) Factory ammo chambers and ejects flawlessly; 2) Fired factory ammo, very sticky extraction! 3) Attempts to re chamber the same empty case are very difficult, it takes extra ordinary effort to return breech block to battery, and extraction is again very sticky, to the point that breaking the extractor is a concern. Full length resized cases,using Redding dies) has no effect on chambering or extracting cases,brass has been trimmed to length also). * Notice I stated that the factory brass extraction was extremely sticky after firing*,I would think this would rule out an out of round chamber, and a run out gauge was used on the brass, it checked out ok ). Coloring of brass with a black magic marker resulted in the following: 1) Brass would not eject, it had to be driven out with a cleaning rod,may have been caused by the acetone in the marker ink removing any and all case lube). 2) Very faint circular marking on brass aprox. .040 forward of case head. Ok guys, I’m a novice reloader, but this is not my rifle it belongs to a friend who has been a reloader for 50 years.

Time for our resident experts to help with this. Suggestions please!

 

[gcabrera]

The problem could be in the web area of the case, which is around 0.2" above the base or very bottom of the case. If you measure the web diameter, after firing a case, and after resizing the same case, you may find that the FL sizer is not resizing much that section. You should be able to consistantly measure a reduction,in diameter) of 0.001" to 0.002" at that point. Anything less than that can give you tight extraction/insertion.
To ease the extraction, you may want to resize in the 0.002" range at that point. Or if you want to resize only 0.001", then you will have to reduce the powder charge / pressure / velocity.
For some calibers,6BR, 6PPC, 223Rem, 308Win, etc) you can find "small base" FL sizers, which size down the web area an additional 0.002" or so. You may try to search for one of those in your caliber to see if they are available.

Please let us know once you find the solution.

George

 

[Preacher]

I would use a small base sizer die from Redding and see if that solves your problem, and I'm betting that it will....

 

[Freestate101]

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the input. I suggested my try a little sizing wax on the rear 1" of a previously fired case that had been difficult to chamber and extract. He did this and told me that with the wax on the case it chambered and extracted normally. He then tried to look in the chamber with a bore light, and though he could not see much, he said there appeared to be a rough spot within the first 3/4". He was going to PA this week and will have his local smith check the chamber with his bore scope. I will keep all posted on any updates.

For God and Country,
Jim Berry