Sticky bolt sometimes.

[Mtstalker]

Hey guys i have been working up loads for my 22-250 and it seems like on the 5th shot of my 5 round groups the bolt is a little sticky. i can still open with one hand(have to use other to hold the gun) but it sticks just at the top of the bolt lift, i would say the last 1/2". im full length sizing with .002" shoulder bump. im using a hornady headspace gauge kit to check. Im using hornady brass cci br-2 primers, reloader 15 (38grains) and 50 grain midway dogtowns seated to 2.350". Accuracy is excellent, im getting 5 rounds in the size of a dime at 100 yards. The rifle is a weatherby varmit special. I dont have anywhere close to flattened primers no cratering or any other signs of pressure which is why im confused? The ammo is about 78 degrees when i started shooting. Could the chamber warming up cause this? Oh by the way this brass has about 6 reloads on it. Thanks.

 

[Tim Singleton]

I don't know what the manufacturer is for the brass you are using.
Or the dies you are using.
It sounds like the cases are not being sized enough down at the base
If you can measure any new brass at .200 up from base then the sticky brass

 

[Mtstalker]

Its hornady brass and lee dies. new brass measures .463" fired is .463 to .464 right above the extractor groove.

 

[Mtstalker]

Here are some pics.

 

[Mtstalker]

.

 

[Tim Singleton]

Measure up .200" above base scribe a mark then confirm the measurement again

 

[JohnKielly]

22-250 is old technology brass with a taper to the case walls. This means that it doesn't grip the chamber wall on firing as efficiently as the "parallel" sided cases & can have a tendency to flow towards the base. If you couple that with brass that's not as hard as some, the effect will be accentuated.

Incidentally, you may read different results if you use a device with more precision than those calipers.

Another thing to check is the cleanliness of your chamber. Sometimes if you only wipe it out with a patch to clean, you can get a crud buildup there. You might try spinning something like a .45 or .410 bronze brush in the chamber then wiping it out.

BTW what does the base of the case read after sizing?

 

[Mtstalker]

Unfired .459" fired .461

 

[Mtstalker]

I wiped my chamber out with brake kleen before going to the range. no residue on cases either. im becoming very stumped? could it be a powder issue?

 

[Tim Singleton]

Unfired .459" fired .461

Then check after your normal sizing

 

[SheepDog]

I wiped my chamber out with brake kleen before going to the range. no residue on cases either. im becoming very stumped? could it be a powder issue?

If you are getting a sticky bolt lift, and there is no problem with your chamber or brass, then your load is too hot for your gun with that case.

 

[Mtstalker]

An all the brass is trimmed to 1.902" the ones that were sticky are now 1.906"

 

[Mtstalker]

If it was too hot of a load wouldnt it do it every time? it measures almolst .462" after sizing .002" shoulder bump.i sized 3 peices and 2 of the 3 chamber great the third is hard to chamber. maybe my die is messed up.

 

[John Russell]

Hey guys i have been working up loads for my 22-250 and it seems like on the 5th shot of my 5 round groups the bolt is a little sticky. i can still open with one hand(have to use other to hold the gun) but it sticks just at the top of the bolt lift, i would say the last 1/2". I'm full length sizing with .002" shoulder bump. I'm using a Hornady headspace gauge kit to check. I'm using Hornady brass CCI br-2 primers, reloader 15 (38grains) and 50 grain midway dog towns seated to 2.350". Accuracy is excellent, I'm getting 5 rounds in the size of a dime at 100 yards. The rifle is a Weatherby varmint special. I don't have anywhere close to flattened primers no cratering or any other signs of pressure which is why im confused? The ammo is about 78 degrees when i started shooting. Could the chamber warming up cause this? Oh by the way this brass has about 6 reloads on it. Thanks.

It sounds like you are suffering from the dreaded "Bolt click!" The base of the case might be getting large enough to be tight in the chamber, and the bolt is having to break it free - it is an area just in front of the web.
You can get a small base sizing die, or (as some have done with success) use a 45 auto sizing die and size the base alone.

 

[Mtstalker]

Would maybe switching to a RCBS die help?

 

[stacy]

IS THE FIFTH ROUND STAYING A WHILE IN THE CHAMBER OR DO SHOOT PRETTY FAST IT GOOD BE JUST GETTING HOT !!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mtstalker]

I drop it in close the bolt and shoot maybe 5-10 second. maybe this brass is toast it does have about 6 or 7 loads on it.

 

[Tim Singleton]

If it was too hot of a load wouldnt it do it every time? it measures almolst .462" after sizing .002" shoulder bump.i sized 3 peices and 2 of the 3 chamber great the third is hard to chamber. maybe my die is messed up.

.462 after sizing? Earlier you measured .461 fired?
I don't know if you have a micrometer.
At any rate this die doesn't seem to be sizing enough at the base
What brand brass?
A small base die maybe needed or swap to Lapua brass

 

[Mtstalker]

Its hornady brass and lee dies. i measured half a dozen times at the scribed mark i made. i dont know why it would be bigger. unfortunately i dont have a 0-1" micrometer with me to get a real precise reading. the 3 i sized 2 were the same ans that one was .001 bigger.

 

[John Russell]

Would maybe switching to a RCBS die help?

I am not a fan of Lee dies, so switching is a good idea.

Get Redding or Forster.

Also... if you trim to 1.902, and they stretch to 1.906, then you are "bumping" too much. You do NOT need to bump shoulders unless the cases are getting tight to chamber (the bolt handle is hard to close). For a sporting field rifle, you should feel a slight resistance when you close the bolt handle.

Bumping is not something that automatically needs to be done.

You should try for setting the sizing die for the LEAST amount of sizing that is possible, consistent with a functioning rifle.

4 thou stretch on firing will lead to head separations in short order.