Heavy bolt lift causes

[Steve Donlon]

I have some new Peterson brass. Guess that would be a good place to start. Thanks for the tip.

I had Peterson brass and it was called "FAT BRASS" made to be neck turned and it was thicker at the base of the neck and that was causing the heavy bolt lift for me. Not saying that is YOUR problem but it was mine and it took awhile to figure it out because nothing on the box of brass indicated is was fat brass. The way I figured it out was to measure the outside of the neck with a seated bullet with all bearing surface in the neck. Thicker at the base of the neck. Could not tell unless a bullet was seated.

 

[FTR_Mojo]

I don't think a small base die is in my future but it is a consideration if one is available in 6mm Creedmoor. Thanks for the tip.

It doesn't have to be a dedicated small base die. The newer dies on the market (like SAC and Cortina) have a slightly smaller base dimension. Which might help if your brass isn't being sized all the way down to the .200 mark with your current die and is causing your problem.

 

[Billy 30-06]

Back off your powder charge 1/2 gr. and see if the bolt is still heavy to lift.

 

[jpjulian]

I had Peterson brass and it was called "FAT BRASS" made to be neck turned and it was thicker at the base of the neck and that was causing the heavy bolt lift for me. Not saying that is YOUR problem but it was mine and it took awhile to figure it out because nothing on the box of brass indicated is was fat brass. The way I figured it out was to measure the outside of the neck with a seated bullet with all bearing surface in the neck. Thicker at the base of the neck. Could not tell unless a bullet was seated.

Lapua brass

 

[jpjulian]

I had Peterson brass and it was called "FAT BRASS" made to be neck turned and it was thicker at the base of the neck and that was causing the heavy bolt lift for me. Not saying that is YOUR problem but it was mine and it took awhile to figure it out because nothing on the box of brass indicated is was fat brass. The way I figured it out was to measure the outside of the neck with a seated bullet with all bearing surface in the neck. Thicker at the base of the neck. Could not tell unless a bullet was seated.

I just measured my loaded Peterson vs loaded Lapua and the Lapua is .0010 larger in diameter than the Peterson brass. 0.2665 vs. 0.2675 and I seriously doubt 0.001 is the reason for my stiff bolt lift but thanks for the tip. It was worth checking.

 

[jpjulian]

Back off your powder charge 1/2 gr. and see if the bolt is still heavy to lift.

The loads yesterday were at 41.0 and loads prepared and left over from the other barrel are at 43.0, but I do plan on backing off further with new brass. Wish new 6CM was available without having to neck down 6.5 and I do not plan on doing that.

 

[jpjulian]

It doesn't have to be a dedicated small base die. The newer dies on the market (like SAC and Cortina) have a slightly smaller base dimension. Which might help if your brass isn't being sized all the way down to the .200 mark with your current die and is causing your problem.

UHHHHHHH............$300?????????? for a sizing die???????............... but thanks for the tip....

 

[Florida Wally]

I don't think a small base die is in my future but it is a consideration if one is available in 6mm Creedmoor. Thanks for the tip.

Redding Body Die Small Base-6MM Creedmoor 74443 | eBay

Body Dies are designed to full length resize the case body and bump the shoulder position for proper chambering without disturbing the case neck. This is the Small Base version of body die that sizes cases to smaller than SAAMI specifications.

www.ebay.com

 

[jpjulian]

Redding Body Die Small Base-6MM Creedmoor 74443 | eBay

Body Dies are designed to full length resize the case body and bump the shoulder position for proper chambering without disturbing the case neck. This is the Small Base version of body die that sizes cases to smaller than SAAMI specifications.

www.ebay.com

That's a whole lot more palatable than $300 for SAC or Cortina die.... Thanks for the tip. And, no, I'm not a poor.....

 

[Florida Wally]

That's a whole lot more palatable than $300 for SAC or Cortina die.... Thanks for the tip. And, no, I'm not a poor.....

Yep, I get it. I’m sure new brass will work just as well. I like to have the small base die to help avoid clickers.

 

[Steve Donlon]

I just measured my loaded Peterson vs loaded Lapua and the Lapua is .0010 larger in diameter than the Peterson brass. 0.2665 vs. 0.2675 and I seriously doubt 0.001 is the reason for my stiff bolt lift but thanks for the tip. It was worth checking.

I misread you and thought you were having trouble with Peterson brass. It was a long time ago they made the fat brass.

 

[jpjulian]

I put together another 50 rounds tonight with new Peterson brass. I reduced the powder charge another 1/2 grain and to cover yet another base, ordered a small base body die. The range is only open weekends so will report back next weekend on the results. Thanks for the tips and suggestions.

 

[jpjulian]

Yep, I get it. I’m sure new brass will work just as well. I like to have the small base die to help avoid clickers.

Redding has a small base body die as shown above in one of the posts. $72 + tax 7 free shipping so I ordered it. Much easier cost to swallow.

 

[BoydAllen]

With regard to your new chamber, have you measured where your bullets touch and compared that to your old chamber? On the brass, chamber, die situation, have you measured fired brass where the body meets the shoulder and a quarter inch up from the head, and compared those measurements to your sized brass? It has always been amazing to me that most shooters do not seem to know what their die is doing to their fired cases.

 

[jackieschmidt]

It is probably the brass from being fired in another chamber.

Unless your gunsmith is proficient enough to insure that the reamer cuts exactly the same from chamber to chamber, the problem you are experiencing will occur.

 

[Bronsin]

It would be worth a try to clean your loaded rounds with acetone {finger nail polish remover} or alchohol before firing. A dry rag doesn't remove everything, especially if every case is cleaned in the same spot. Lube residue will let your cases expand much more when fired.

 

[AlNyhus]

FWIW, a 45 ACP full length die works as a 'small base die' on the back end of standard .473 cases. -Al

 

[Kracken McGraw]

FWIW, a 45 ACP full length die works as a 'small base die' on the back end of standard .473 cases. -Al

Al, do you have to cut the top of the die out?

 

[JFrank]

With regard to your new chamber, have you measured where your bullets touch and compared that to your old chamber? On the brass, chamber, die situation, have you measured fired brass where the body meets the shoulder and a quarter inch up from the head, and compared those measurements to your sized brass? It has always been amazing to me that most shooters do not seem to know what their die is doing to their fired cases.

Nobody measures , ( that’s too easy ) they order SB dies cause someone on the internet says that’s what they need.

 

[AlNyhus]

Al, do you have to cut the top of the die out?

Nope...since the die is not tapered, just push it up in there like a regular die. If you use a carbide version, no lube is needed.