Question Regarding Hard to Chamber Rounds - Safe to Fire?

[BigSky]

I just loaded fifty rounds of 6.5 Creedmoor, second loading on Lapua brass. All brass was first fired in a different rifle than the one for which these loads were created. So, I full length sized them. I did (almost) the same process as I always do. I always check the first two or three pieces in the rifle in which they are going to be fired to ensure I have the cases to where I want them to be. Check. I then check the loaded rounds for proper feeding. Well, on these, as I worked my way through the box of 50, they got increasingly difficult to close the bolt, although all would chamber and eject. Half the box required force to close the bolt.

I speculate that I did not tighten the locking ring while sizing and that the sizing die slightly but gradually moved out. My question is, do I pull the bullets, dump the powder and primers and start over or, since they do chamber, are they safe to fire? Thanks in advance.

 

[tominboise]

If I can close the bolt, I shoot them. Others may have better input.

 

[jds holler]

They're OK, as long as the reason for tight bolt isn't crimping the case mouth against the end of the chamber. (excessive length) jd

 

[nettle]

As long as the bullet seating depth isn't too long and the bullet isn't dead headed against the lands of the rifleing (pressure spike) it should be OK. I have had quality brand new factory ammo fail to chamber and fail a case gauge. Had to resize them. It doesn't happen very often but it does happen. And as jds holler says make sure the case length not too long.

 

[BigSky]

Thanks guys. I assumed that to be the case; but, I figured it best to bounce it off of others also.

 

[acloco]

Why chance it? Just burning powder/bullets/primers.

Pull bullets, dump powder, remove decapping pin, size correctly, and load.

 

[K22]

You may be galling your bolt lugs depending on how much force you have to use to close the bolt. Personally, I would pull them and start over since the damage you may do to the bolt is more costly that re-loading the cases.

 

[joshb]

One of the reasons I tighten down my die with a pair of pliers. Hand tight always seems to loosen up on me.

 

[JB10]

If you have a body die just lube them up and run it through, wipe off lube then shoot.

 

[BigSky]

You may be galling your bolt lugs depending on how much force you have to use to close the bolt. Personally, I would pull them and start over since the damage you may do to the bolt is more costly that re-loading the cases.

This was actually my thought process. So, after my last post, I pulled bullets, dumped powder and resized. Once again, I do appreciate all of the input.

 

[acloco]

This was actually my thought process. So, after my last post, I pulled bullets, dumped powder and resized. Once again, I do appreciate all of the input.

AND? Fix the problem?

 

[BigSky]

AND? Fix the problem?

Yes sir, it did.