Ruger M77 220 Swift Questions

[jaytee]

So I just bought a used M77 and I'm having issues getting it to chamber various rounds. I was at my reloading bench and was just grabbing a few various empty sized cases that I had full length sized for another gun and I couldn't close the bolt. I was able to chamber some loaded rounds that I had loaded for another gun and they chambered normal. All of my sizing is full length so I wouldn't think the rounds loaded for another gun would be an issue. And for what its worth, the cases that I seem to have nearly all the trouble with are Norma. Rems, Frontier and WW seem to be less troublesome. So is this a case of this particular M77 having a tight or short chamber or?

 

[jkohler]

More than likely your die isn’t set up correctly for this gun. You’ll have to measure how long the cases are before and after sizing. Measure the ones that will chamber against the ones that won’t chamber.

 

[Murray Brook]

Happens often enough that sized cases for one rifle will not fit another chamber. Just adjust the die for your new chamber, or better yet get a new die for that rifle.

 

[jaytee]

Happens often enough that sized cases for one rifle will not fit another chamber. Just adjust the die for your new chamber, or better yet get a new die for that rifle.

But wouldn't full length re-sizing take care of that issue? I was always under the assumption that if you neck size only is when you can run into issues with rounds not being compatible with multiple guns.

 

[Murray Brook]

Well it depends how much bump you are doing on your brass from the other rifle. You may have a shorter chamber on the rifle that won't chamber the cases. There can also be other chamber dimensions such as base size etc that are not compatable from rifle to rifle. I have two 7/08's that cases will chamber in both rifles, but also have two 25/06's that require separate sizing dies.

 

[jaytee]

Okay so I tried re-adjusting the sizer die just a tad. Instead of the normal method of screwing the die down till it just touches the shell holder and then going 1/4 turn more, I went 3/8ths to a half. I really wasn't able to get the ram fully lowered but went as far as I felt comfortable and the bolt was still fairly snug to close. Measured the case head and they're right at or maybe just a tad under and case length is under as well.

 

[DaveTooley]

Get new brass and your problem will go away.

 

[Murray Brook]

@jaytee If I was having this problem I would have a sizing die for each rifle and brass specific for each chamber as @DaveTooley pointed out. Most times adjusting a die for one rifle will make for either too much or too little shoulder bump in other chambers. Get new brass , fire form it in your new chamber (may take a few firings) then adjust your sizing die for that specific rifle.Appx .003-.004 bump will do it. In the event that even this doesn't solve your problem then you may require a small base sizer die. Such a die will take your brass back to virgin brass specs.( I take it that you have no problem with virgin brass) JMO

 

[jaytee]

@jaytee If I was having this problem I would have a sizing die for each rifle and brass specific for each chamber as @DaveTooley pointed out. Most times adjusting a die for one rifle will make for either too much or too little shoulder bump in other chambers. Get new brass , fire form it in your new chamber (may take a few firings) then adjust your sizing die for that specific rifle.Appx .003-.004 bump will do it. In the event that even this doesn't solve your problem then you may require a small base sizer die. Such a die will take your brass back to virgin brass specs.( I take it that you have no problem with virgin brass) JMO

Okay thanks guys for the help. I just dug up some new brass that I had stashed away, forgot I had it, and just like you guys said, the bolt closes smooth as butter. Question, now once I fire this virgin brass a few times and resize it with the existing die that I have, will my issue rear its ugly head or should I be good? I'm thinking it will and I'll maybe have to go to a small base die. Murray, when you say get a die for each rifle, are you talking just your average over the counter die or in the case of this rifle, a small base die? My other two swifts, one a M77 V and the other a No.1V have both shot rounds with my existing die with no issues. Thanks again for all the info and for helping me out, I appreciate it!!

 

[Murray Brook]

I would think that 99% of the time all you need is a standard sizer die adjusted to your chamber. Again if you have one die for all rifles there will be a compromise (most of the time) between easy chambering in one rifle and reduced case life in the other. Another route you could go is to determine which rifle has the shorter chamber and adjust your die for it. Then use die shims under your die to set the proper dimensions for the other rifle. Another alternative would be a Redding comp die set. There are always alternatives.