New cases will not chamber

[BillGulledge]

New RP cases, FL resized, trimmed, primed will not chamber. Factory loads will chamber.
Compared factory cartridge dimensions to dimensions of my new, FL resized cases. Headspace with comparator, case length, case diameter at base and shoulder, neck size are all the same or slightly smaller for New cases vs factory. Why won't the new cases chamber?

 

[jackieschmidt]

Well, you have covered everything that can be measured.
Are the primers seated past flush?

 

[64Rambler]

Can you sharpie up a case, including the base, and see where it rubs off when you try to chamber it?

Trimmed and not deburred can lead to chambering issues.

 

[dellet]

Are you trying to chamber a loaded cartridge with a new case, or just the case?
If it’s a loaded loaded cartridge, check case to bullet ogive length.

If it’s just new, sized brass, try just a piece of brass in the chamber. Without the bolt, insert the brass into the chamber with your finger. With the barrel up, the brass should fall out. If it doesn’t, then the problem is diameter. If it does fall out, it’s either length, likely to the shoulder, or neck diameter loaded.

Same thing with an inert cartridge. If the case fell out unloaded, and does not loaded, it’s at the neck or bullet. A burr at the mouth has been mentioned, a good place to look. Bullet loaded too long

 

[LCazador]

Hand gun or rifle? Bolt or auto? Empty brass or loaded brass? Cycling from magazine or single feeding?

 

[DShortt]

Let's back-up a bit.

FLS a case and see if it chambers. No bullet. No primer. No nothing except FLS.

What you've posted makes -0- sense because it's not possible that a case at or below all dimensions of a factory case that will chamber won't fit in that chamber.

Something missing in the provided information.

Perhaps your bullet profile is different enough that you're trying to jam the bullet into the leade an excessive amount, preventing the bolt from closing. But to determine that, let's start with an empty FLS case.

 

[whatsupdoc]

Will a new RP case fit before you FL size it?

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Is the brass tucked in to the extractor? Single feeding brass in some actions = ie Mauser, wont be engaged correctly.

 

[ronemus]

Is it a no-turn chamber with a neck dimensioned to fit a particular brand of brass? Compare the loaded neck diameter of the factory rounds to your reloads. RP brass tends toward thick necks IIRC.

 

[K22]

Can you sharpie up a case, including the base, and see where it rubs off when you try to chamber it?

Trimmed and not deburred can lead to chambering issues.

I am amazed that he did not chamfer the case necks after trimming! I mean that's reloading 101.

Perhaps it's because his trimmer is designed such that it's not supposed to require chamfering. That's the only thing I can figure since this gentleman is an experienced reloading and shooter.

 

[K22]

The most common cause I've seen for new cases not chambering that have been F/L is the die adjustment does not provide for contact the shoulder of the case therefore the case is extruded (lengthened).

But since the OP claims that dimension was checked with a comparator as well as other dimensions, I am at a lost for a cause.

 

[243winxb]

my new, FL resized cases.

The shell holder must contact the bottom of the fl die at the top of the stroke.
No gap.

Plus not using the comparator correctly.

 

[FDCaptain]

New RP cases, FL resized, trimmed, primed will not chamber. Factory loads will chamber.
Compared factory cartridge dimensions to dimensions of my new, FL resized cases. Headspace with comparator, case length, case diameter at base and shoulder, neck size are all the same or slightly smaller for New cases vs factory. Why won't the new cases chamber?

Had similar problem, checked cartridge again found I had loaded a .264 bullet in a 25.06.

 

[jelenko]

Had similar problem, checked cartridge again found I had loaded a .264 bullet in a 25.06.

That'll do it.

 

[SeabeeKen]

That'll do it.

Bet it had plenty of neck tension too.

 

[Bob3700]

When ur trimmer is performing three cuts at the same time, OAL, inside n outside chamfering, itis good to check for the OAL cutter leaving a bur. That is what the fellow in the video was referring to. The Girard uses a single cutter to perform all three operations. I would also see if the cutter needs any touch up on the cutting edges after a lot of use. Might be some brass build up causing the burr to form.

 

[Straightshooter1]

When ur trimmer is performing three cuts at the same time, OAL, inside n outside chamfering, itis good to check for the OAL cutter leaving a bur. That is what the fellow in the video was referring to. The Girard uses a single cutter to perform all three operations. I would also see if the cutter needs any touch up on the cutting edges after a lot of use. Might be some brass build up causing the burr to form.

That's a good point!

My Giraud trimmer has trimmed thousands of cases and so far the cutter has not left any burrs. BUT. . . I did have a burr issue with a custom Trim-It 2 for my 6.5 PRC that uses the same cutter. I kept fooling with the setting thinking if I got the setting correctly on the new cutter, it wouldn't leave a burr. Nothing was working, not even when flipping to one of the other cutters on the blade, so I ordered a couple cutter blades from Giraud to put one into the Trim-It 2. Sure enough, the new cutter blade solved the problem. Apparently the cutter blade that came with the Trim-It 2 wasn't ground properly or sharp enough to keep from producing the burrs. I could feel the difference during the trimming operation where the new Giraud cutter felt like it was cutting with less effort and getting clean cuts compared to the one that came with the trimmer.

Just like any tool being used to cut metal, having a good properly sharpened tool can make all the difference.

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

@BillGulledge This is a good one.

Once you have solved this mystery, please let us know what the problem was.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Why FL size and trim new brass? What cartridge? Did you try to chamber any new brass before you sized and trimmed/primed? Do you have an ammo checker/case gauge?

 

[Webster]

Why FL size and trim new brass? What cartridge? Did you try to chamber any new brass before you sized and trimmed/primed? Do you have an ammo checker/case gauge?

Good comment. If a new case before you sized it would chamber, you would know that sizing made something bigger? Obvious it can only be a dimension that prevents a case from chambering. Smaller than the chamber and not to long always fits. I don't understand all the problems guys have on this website. Been reloading since 1970 without a single problem. I don't feel like reading 18 replies to make sure I didn't miss something. If I get bored I might reread the post. Like someone else said a burr on the case mouth o.d. can be a problem. You only have about 2-3 thou clearance on each side of the chamber neck.

17 replies and he has not given any new info. since the 1st post. Tell us more.