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Old reloads changing dimensions?

Was trying to shoot up the remnants of old reloads to reduce clutter and get some new loads going ran into a problem that was new to me. In all instances these batches had been fired in the same rifles previously about a year ago. Yesterday the same ammo would not chamber satisfactorily in these two lever action rifles, a well worn Winchester 71 (348 Winchester) cast bullet,and Winchester 94 (375Winchester) jacketed bullet.In both instances a taper crimp had been applied . The ammo has spent some time riding around in my truck but never exposed to high heat. I've measured a few of the rounds and there is no change in OAL.
Any ideas as to what is happening here?.
 
I would look at two things first. Borescope the rifle chamber and clean it if necessary.
Check the diameters on the ammo, not just the lengths.
Ink one up and see where the rub marks show an issue.
 
I would look at two things first. Borescope the rifle chamber and clean it if necessary.
Check the diameters on the ammo, not just the lengths.
Ink one up and see where the rub marks show an issue.
Not clear how the diameter of bullets would be an issue. the jackeded bullets and cast bullets all from same lots and other rounds loaded same time worked perfectly fine a year ago.Now none will chamber.
 
Diameter of case at neck, and web, as well as a check at the shoulder for enough bump.

Just remember this: If it JUST FITS, it fits. If it changes just a bit, it doesn't fit.

Possible that the brass has sprung back a bit?

But I would certainly check those chambers for rust
 
Not clear how the diameter of bullets would be an issue. the jackeded bullets and cast bullets all from same lots and other rounds loaded same time worked perfectly fine a year ago.Now none will chamber.
As @snert pointed out, there are other diameters that can cause issues, and not just those of the bullet but the brass. The lengths are important too, but when those don't show the problem, don't forget to check the diameters.
I always encourage students to learn to fully inspect their cartridges. Unless the cartridge is a Wildcat, starting with the SAAMI spec for the ammo and chamber is a good start.

1711482025778.png
1711482108205.png
 
As @snert pointed out, there are other diameters that can cause issues, and not just those of the bullet but the brass. The lengths are important too, but when those don't show the problem, don't forget to check the diameters.
I always encourage students to learn to fully inspect their cartridges. Unless the cartridge is a Wildcat, starting with the SAAMI spec for the ammo and chamber is a good start.

View attachment 1540568
View attachment 1540570
Checked all the cartridges, all are at spec or smaller, now to double scrub the chambers of the suspect rifles.
 
Checked all the cartridges, all are at spec or smaller, now to double scrub the chambers of the suspect rifles.
If the measurements are in fact all good, and there is no rust, could it be a cleaning or preservative fluid has run into the chamber and hardened?

If not, then???

Maybe take down a couple cartridges with an inertia hammer and then resize it, try it again and see? Something obviously has changed.
 
1/2 Eureaka!
The 375 Winchester issue is due to over crimping (taper) producing a slight case bulge. Still sorting out the 348Win issue.Live and learn, by the time I am 100 years old I'll have it all figured out, but at that point, what good will that do me! ;)
 
cast lead bullets grow with age. Usually by 6 months they stop. But it happens. Had it happen to me also if the bullets were sized to match the throat exactly. Later they will not chamber as they grew in diameter.
 
Had cast bullets grow over a period of a few days after casting, depends a bit on the blend, some more than others, but they do change, from the day you make them, to a week or two after, it is measurable. Had one that I sized noses to 408 to keep it under 410, check them a week or two later they'd hit 409-409,5 on some batches.
 
cast lead bullets grow with age. Usually by 6 months they stop. But it happens. Had it happen to me also if the bullets were sized to match the throat exactly. Later they will not chamber as they grew in diameter.
Not questioning your veracity but as a cast bullet novice I cannot fathom how a lead bullet would grow...oxidation????
 
Not questioning your veracity but as a cast bullet novice I cannot fathom how a lead bullet would grow...oxidation????
The metallurgy of cast lead alloys take the form of an atomic matrix, and as those crystal arrangements flip and change so does the size. There is a time constant to the process that makes it noticeable compared to other metals which either do this instantly or not at all.
 

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