Had rifle re-barreled, now old cases cases won't chamber

[uncle-buck]

Had my rifle re-barreled and now my old Lapua cases won't chamber in the new barrel - even after full length sizing.

What are some potential solutions?

Have quite a few once and twice fired cases I would like to utilize, if possible.

Thanks

 

[Texas10]

Your new chamber is shorter than the old. You could just size again while gradually reducing the base to shoulder dimension until you get a fit.

I would shoot some new brass and after several cycles using neck sizing only, measure a few twice or thrice shot brass that chamber with a slightly stiff bolt closure. That will tell you the max chamber length of the new barrel, bolt face to shoulder (headspace).

Another way is to take a new brass and barely seat a spent primer so it's quite proud, chamber and close the bolt, then extract. Then measure from the protruding primer to shoulder datum.

Adjust your dies accordingly, and don't forget to anneal if you're into that.

 

[Doug Beach]

Assuming the barrel job was done correctly, could be base to shoulder distance (headspace), could be case body diameter. The former is fixed by measuring, and then adjusting your die correctly. The latter may be remedied with a small base die.

 

[Webster]

Had my rifle re-barreled and now my old Lapua cases won't chamber in the new barrel - even after full length sizing.

What are some potential solutions?

Have quite a few once and twice fired cases I would like to utilize, if possible.

Thanks

Had a similar problem. I have a 6BR and a 6BRX. A new 6BR Lapua case would chamber i my 6BRX but a case fired in my 6BR wouldn't. My Smith told me that even though the 6BR reamer dimensions are standardized? they are not all ground to the same exact dimensions. My smith usualy doesn't just order the reamer by caliber, he specifies the caliber and some of the dimensions. I am sure he is fusier with comp guns.

 

[Nightraider]

Base diameter....

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

You don't mention if you neck sized or full sized them. Your chamber is not the sam s it was unless you used the same reamer. Full size them and return them to SAAMI specifications and make sure the length of the empty cartridge is right.

After fire forming them you can then neck size and they should fit the chamber they were fired from.

 

[TrxR]

Im curious was the same reamer used on both barrels?

 

[varget204]

Have you checked headspace and chamber length and compared it to your cases ?,you may need to bump headspace,the reamer may have worn a little,if old chamber was tight,new may be .001 tighter,checking should not take long

 

[Rdlningcltchdmpr]

Did you try virgin brass ? Compare old brass dimensions to virgin brass.!

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

Blacken a piece of brass with a black marker pen and try to chamber it, you will see where it catches

 

[David101]

It could be (I have had an experience like this) that the case has expanded at the head end in the non supported part of the case. Sometimes it can be fixed by using a small base die But I had instances of yes the brass would chamber and extract if the round was not fired but if I fired the round I would have real extraction problems. The bolt would lift easily but it would not move backwards it would need a good wack to loosen the case.

 

[joshb]

On most guns, there are slight differences In headspace. I have had issues like yours. I put a new barrel on a Bat Sv. Used brass wouldn’t work, new brass would. Bought some used brass for a Panda 6ppc and it was so short, most wouldn’t fire.
Try a piece of new brass. If it won’t fit, you have a problem.
When you full length sized, were you hitting the shell holder? I had to grind a few thou off my shellholder for the Bat.
Also, are you sure about your new neck dimension in the barrel? Cast it, if not.

 

[uncle-buck]

Thanks for all the replies. The issue was resolved by adjusting the FL sizing die.
Shoot well, shoot often.

 

[AckleymanII]

Often you have to use a small base die, but there is an old saying

Brass springs back fired in old larger chamber

New barrel = New brass = a more harmonious outcome

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

Thanks for all the replies. The issue was resolved by adjusting the FL sizing die.
Shoot well, shoot often.

Sometimes the simplest answer is the best. Glad it worked out for you.

 

[uncle-buck]

Im curious was the same reamer used on both barrels?

No. The original barrel was made by Parker Hale circa 1970. The new barrel was made by Shaw Custom.