Jump to content

Cartridges will not chamber


Recommended Posts

I couldn’t go the price for a custom built rifle so I bought a Savage 12 in 6br Norma. Got some new Lapua brass and loaded it and the rifle shot great, very accurate. Took the once fired brass and cleaned it sized it. It even fits right into a Wilson case gauge. The empty brass will chamber in the rifle. After I seat the bullet the cartridge does not chamber.  I have seated the bullet to where it almost looks like a wad cutter. I have bumped the shoulder back as far as I can. All the measurements appear to be saami specs. Someone please offer some suggestions.

Link to comment

The hard way, chamber cast. Before that try some lip stick, I like red, but green might look better for you. Spread as thin as you can, drop in a easy as you can, slowly close the bolt, when you open the bolt do not let the round eject, inspect the case for the smear.

Wait, what about a ring in the chamber, close to the start of the rifling?

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffnt&q=ring+in+rifle+chamber&ia=web

Link to comment

Since your resized but unloaded brass chambers properly, and since you've seated bullets much deeper than spec, that leaves me to believe that the bullets are expanding the necks of your brass. 

When your reloaded ammo won't chamber, are there land marks on the bullet? I'm betting not with deeply-seated bullets. If not, then it's unlikely that the bullets are running deep into the lands.

You might carefully measure the neck diameter of a few factory loads that chamber properly, then measure the neck diameter of a few of your reloads that do not. If there's a difference, then either your bullets are too large or perhaps your bullet seating die isn't crimping properly. Have you tried more than one brand of bullet? (I've never had a problem with factory bullets, but I suppose it's possible.)  One possible solution is the Lee factory crimp die. They're not expensive, but they seem to do a really good job of making sure a reloaded round is concentric and "unbulged" for lack of a better term.

Good luck!

Edited by Darrell
  • Like 2
Link to comment
3 hours ago, Darrell said:

Since your resized but unloaded brass chambers properly, and since you've seated bullets much deeper than spec, that leaves me to believe that the bullets are expanding the necks of your brass. 

When your reloaded ammo won't chamber, are there land marks on the bullet? I'm betting not with deeply-seated bullets. If not, then it's unlikely that the bullets are running deep into the lands.

You might carefully measure the neck diameter of a few factory loads that chamber properly, then measure the neck diameter of a few of your reloads that do not. If there's a difference, then either your bullets are too large or perhaps your bullet seating die isn't crimping properly. Have you tried more than one brand of bullet? (I've never had a problem with factory bullets, but I suppose it's possible.)  One possible solution is the Lee factory crimp die. They're not expensive, but they seem to do a really good job of making sure a reloaded round is concentric and "unbulged" for lack of a better term.

Good luck!

 

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...

Glad it worked out well.

24 minutes ago, bluemailman53 said:

...and the winner is “Darrell.”  I got a lee factory crimp die and did a few cartridges.  Smooth as butter now.  Previously I wasn’t crimping at all.

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

TRADING POST NOTICE

Before engaging in any transaction of goods or services on TGO, all parties involved must know and follow the local, state and Federal laws regarding those transactions.

TGO makes no claims, guarantees or assurances regarding any such transactions.

THE FINE PRINT

Tennessee Gun Owners (TNGunOwners.com) is the premier Community and Discussion Forum for gun owners, firearm enthusiasts, sportsmen and Second Amendment proponents in the state of Tennessee and surrounding region.

TNGunOwners.com (TGO) is a presentation of Enthusiast Productions. The TGO state flag logo and the TGO tri-hole "icon" logo are trademarks of Tennessee Gun Owners. The TGO logos and all content presented on this site may not be reproduced in any form without express written permission. The opinions expressed on TGO are those of their authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the site's owners or staff.

TNGunOwners.com (TGO) is not a lobbying organization and has no affiliation with any lobbying organizations.  Beware of scammers using the Tennessee Gun Owners name, purporting to be Pro-2A lobbying organizations!

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to the following.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Guidelines
 
We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.