tight shells ?

[Crowhunter1]

Ok I have a winchester model 70 , Coyote in 243, the cases were starting to get real tight chambering so in stead of just neck sizing I started to full length size then trim back to 2.0449.and yet they are still very tight going in,any ideas on what might be going on.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

You have trashed your cases by only neck sizing them and now they have that memory. Throw the neck sizer and those brass in a box and consider it a lesson. Only fl size from now on

 

[NateHaler]

Ok I have a winchester model 70 , Coyote in 243, the cases were starting to get real tight chambering so in stead of just neck sizing I started to full length size then trim back to 2.0449.and yet they are still very tight going in,any ideas on what might be going on.

How many times have you reloaded these cases?

("Shells" applies to shotguns, pasta, and what you find at the beach...).

 

[Uncle Ed]

Full length resize the cases again and pause at the top of the ram stroke for 4 or 5 seconds. This reduces the amount of brass spring back after sizing.

If this does not work then a small base die may solve the problem. This will size the case body approximately .002 to .003 smaller in diameter.

Below three types of Forster full length dies,

 

[Crowhunter1]

i have reloaded them about 7 times, I use to just throw them away when they got tight but now with brass being alittle harder to get I thought I would try to make last 4 or 5 reloads longer.

 

[Uncle Ed]

i have reloaded them about 7 times, I use to just throw them away when they got tight but now with brass being alittle harder to get I thought I would try to make last 4 or 5 reloads longer.

Color the entire case with a black felt tip marker then chamber and check for rub marks. Checking to see if its the case shoulder or case body causing the problem.

Now size them again pausing at the top of the ram stroke and see how they fit.

I buy bulk once fired 7.62 Lake City brass and much of it was fired in machine guns with fat chambers. I size them all in a small base die pausing at the top of the ram stroke.

If you want to join the Cheap Bastards Club and not throw the brass way then try new methods.

NOTE, cheap bastards do not buy Lapua brass and shoot their groups at 50 yards to make them look smaller.

P.S. I go to the range when no one else is there, that way when I leave I know I was the best shot that day.

 

[LHSmith]

If you do decide to try and salvage the brass, grease your cocking cam and lugs liberally and often or you'll be replacing the bolt too. A BFH might also be handy.

 

[6MMsteve]

If you do decide to try and salvage the brass, grease your cocking cam and lugs liberally and often or you'll be replacing that too.

yep

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

If the primer pockets are still good, and the brass has only been used in the same rifle. Proper resizing should not be difficult.

 

[Bill K]

Ok I have a winchester model 70 , Coyote in 243, the cases were starting to get real tight chambering so in stead of just neck sizing I started to full length size then trim back to 2.0449.and yet they are still very tight going in,any ideas on what might be going on.

You may have ruined them by neck sizing only for all this time. Try and full length small base die, set the shoulder back about 2 thousands, make sure you have them trimmed to proper length and also anneal them prior to all that. Maybe you will get some more use out of them.
If not buy some new brass and start over.

 

[K22]

Full sizing could restore the cases. First, retire the neck sizing die. They make good paper weights. Second, make sure your cases are not over the max case length - trim if necessary.

Measure three fired unsized cases (primer removed) with a caliper and bump gauge.

Adjust your FL sizing die to set the shoulder back .001 to .002 on the first case. Check that case in the chamber to assess the fit. Removing the fire pin will aid is better assessing the fit. The case should chamber with only very slight resistance. If it fits well, size and check the other two. Use that die setting for future full sizing.

If it doesn't fit turn the die turn to set the shoulder back .003" and check the fit. If it doesn't fit I'd trash the cases and start over with new cases and full size every time.

Personally, I wouldn't use a small base die because it will reduce the diameter to much and I don't believe your problem is with the diameter of the case. I believe you have the classic neck sizing problem of the case lengthening from repeated firings and only neck sizing. The standard full sizing die should reduce the case sufficiently for the radial dimension.

 

[skeeljc]

I would first anneal them. Then I would FL size them making sure the shell holder contacted the die with some force. You need to set the FL die up with more contact force than what is required to size the case. Otherwise the sizing force will deflect the press enough to keep the die and shell holder from making contact and the case will not be fully sized. That is why the die maker tells you to screw the die in until it contacts the shell holder and then give it an additional 1/8th turn.

 

[EOD Rob]

I would first anneal them. Then I would FL size them making sure the shell holder contacted the die with some force. You need to set the FL die up with more contact force than what is required to size the case. Otherwise the sizing force will deflect the press enough to keep the die and shell holder from making contact and the case will not be fully sized. That is why the die maker tells you to screw the die in until it contacts the shell holder and then give it an additional 1/8th turn.

With you skeeljc, Anneal them first, them FL size them. See where that leave ya! Sounds like they are to hard to work right now! I would not throw them away until they start to crack or separate.

 

[Crowhunter1]

FL size them then trimed them back,that cured my problem thanks folks for all your advice

 

[LHSmith]

FL size them then trimed them back,that cured my problem thanks folks for all your advice

Good so far. The proof in the pudding is if you can open the bolt easily without a click once you fire them again

 

[10at6]

Trim, and FL size

 

[CenterDot]

i have reloaded them about 7 times, I use to just throw them away when they got tight but now with brass being alittle harder to get I thought I would try to make last 4 or 5 reloads longer.

I varmint hunt w/ a .243. I FL and bump the shoulder back .002. After maybe 4 firings, I'll start to get a bit of tension in bolt lift. I anneal and everything smooths out.