Time for a small base die?

[mattri]

Would you happen to have on hand another sizing die based on the 30/06 case like 25/06 or 270 or 30/06. If yes then try running your case all the way up in one of these dies till the base of the die is in sloid contact with the shell holder. This should size the .200 line and not affect your shoulder bump . Then use your 308 die to bump the shoulder. Might work.

That's a really good idea, if nothing else will add a helpful piece of information.

Plan at the moment is to load the sized cases and see how they shoot with the bases sized and the shoulders where they are as a point of reference. I will also keep an eye out for a longer FLS die as suggested- thanks again.

 

[JMayo]

You could have set back your lugs, worn your lugs, press worn (if you just put a preadjusted die in), or the barrel shoulder could be seating different (most likely choice). This is why taking your best barrels off to save them for a big match never works out well.

That's why ppc barrel went on the shelf !
I reckon i need another rifle :/

 

[Dusty Stevens]

That's why ppc barrel went on the shelf !
I reckon i need another rifle :/

Naw man just readjust!

 

[stevenpoplin]

I just got back from the range shooting my 308 win, Bartlien barrel, Match reamer for 168 SMK, Lapua brass fired once, 42.8 g Varget.
At .200 from base
Brass comes out of chamber .4685-.4690
Sized with Redding S bushing die .4685-.4690
No chambering problems whatsoever.
IMHO if it comes out easy, it should go back in easy with .0005 smaller diameter at .200 above base
youll figure it out

 

[JFrank]

Yes, perhaps an undersized chamber but getting hard bokt closure until base diameter is appr .4675-.468

Hard closer leads me to the neck shoulder junction rather than the base. Hard bolt opening leads me to the base.

 

[D-4297]

Here are a few thoughts on this issue . I shoot .308 in TR and have shot through four barrels in three years , and wearing out my fifth . In checking the numbers you posted for base diameter at the .200 line of a fired cartridge you are still under the SAAMI dimension for a .308 case that hasn't been fired . Simply stated . You have a under-sized chamber . To be sure of what I'm posting , I just Mic'd ten pieces of new , never fired Lapua SRP brass and it measures at .4685 - .4690 . So if your "fired" brass is smaller in diameter than that at the .200 line , once you remove that brass , it will cause hard bolt closure in your chamber . If your chamber was proper size in diameter , your current fired brass would go right back in the chamber and have at worst , a firm bolt closure . The Win load you are putting in is roughly .0065 smaller than SAAMI spec for cartridge diameter size , but I dare-say , my brand new Lapua cartridge would not fit in your chamber .

As soon as I read your post ; I had a very good idea what the issue was , as I have had to deal with this after changing barrels . My Brux gave me 4,600 rounds before it went south , and when I tried to use the same brass in my new Bartlein , I had to re-size the Base , to get it back down to .468 , and it worked fine in the new chamber . This brass is pushing 30 re-loads . I Bump .001 using a Redding "S" F/L Bushing Die , and anneal after every firing . Think you might want to consult with a local knowledgeable gunsmith , because having a round that is that much under-sized before firing , and is to normal case diameter after firing indicates my suspicion of a under-sized chamber .

 

[mattri]

New die should arrive this week.

Also picked up some factory ammo.

Weather permitting hope to hit the range this weekend and will post results.

Thanks to all.

 

[Lance21]

Would you happen to have on hand another sizing die based on the 30/06 case like 25/06 or 270 or 30/06. If yes then try running your case all the way up in one of these dies till the base of the die is in sloid contact with the shell holder. This should size the .200 line and not affect your shoulder bump . Then use your 308 die to bump the shoulder. Might work.

This ^^ I took a 270 win die, took out the stem. Run the cases up in it camming over fairly hard. Took care of the bolt lift.

 

[mattri]

06 die arrived today.

Ran some fired cases through it, then through the FLS die (adjusted back to original .002 bump) and they chambered great.

Thanks for all the help.