Peterson Brass for 25 or 6 prc wildcats

[jonnyviceroy]

I recently had a AW2 spec 25 prc barrel spun up from SJA and had 150 pcs new Peterson brass I was hoping to use with it. I’ve been experiencing some semi difficult bolt lift just right at the top as those lugs are camming over (only after firing). Absolutely no pressure signs and a pretty mild load as well. I can’t see any obvious contact on the case.
When I talked to SJA they said the only problem they’d had with that reamer was with people wanting to use ADG they had to neck turn to fit in the neck area. I have no resistance or anything strange while chambering. SJA said they’d recommend abandoning the Peterson and buying lapua. I’d prefer to utilize the brass I already have and have fired but if that’s the only way then it is what it is. Has anyone used an aw2 spec 25 prc or 6 prc with Peterson and no issues? Thanks in advance!

 

[T_Widdy]

What’s your mild load?

Will a bullet easily fall through the neck of the fired cases or what is your neck diameter of the fired case? From what I have seen adg and Peterson have a very close neck wall thickness.

Is this first firing? What’s your base to shoulder measurement on the fired cases compared to new?

And what is your .200 line measurement on the fired cases?

 

[jonnyviceroy]

What’s your mild load?

Will a bullet easily fall through the neck of the fired cases or what is your neck diameter of the fired case? From what I have seen adg and Peterson have a very close neck wall thickness.

Is this first firing? What’s your base to shoulder measurement on the fired cases compared to new?

And what is your .200 line measurement on the fired cases?

55 gr H1000 with Berger 133s. I will have to measure the neck. A bullet does not easily fall through. It’s the first firing. Base to shoulder grew from virgin to fired about 3 thou iirc. I will have to measure near the case web as well. From my understanding the AW2 is supposed to help with the case web area as well. I appreciate you taking the time to help me think this through.

 

[T_Widdy]

Do you have hard bolt lift or is it “clicking” at primary extraction?

See if they will give you the reamer print and compare the neck diameter. It will spring back a little smaller than the reamer print but the neck clearance diameter of their reamer might be a little tight, their reamer could also be worn and your .200 line might not be to AW spec but that usually doesn’t show up on the first firing. Do you have any other 6.5 prc brass? Try some Hornady if you do and see if your problem goes away. Pm me if you need some other brands of brass, I’ll send you some extras i have.

Have you done a ladder pressure test? At what charge does the heavy lift not show up?

 

[jonnyviceroy]

Do you have hard bolt lift or is it “clicking” at primary extraction?

See if they will give you the reamer print and compare the neck diameter. It will spring back a little smaller than the reamer print but the neck clearance diameter of their reamer might be a little tight, their reamer could also be worn and your .200 line might not be to AW spec but that usually doesn’t show up on the first firing. Do you have any other 6.5 prc brass? Try some Hornady if you do and see if your problem goes away. Pm me if you need some other brands of brass, I’ll send you some extras i have.

Have you done a ladder pressure test? At what charge does the heavy lift not show up?

Just a bit of heavy bolt lift right at the top of the bolt cycle after firing.
I will do that and get those measurements. He did say it was a newer chamber for them and he’d only cut a handful so far. So I’d hope it’s a newer reamer but not a guarantee. The only other 6.5 prc brass I have is adg that’s been fired in a saami 6.5 chamber. That’s a great idea on the hornady, I will see if I can get a few virgin pieces from a friend and give those a rip.
I started at 54 and went up to 58 gr but had a similar heavy bolt lift on each regardless of powder charge. I just had 15 or so I loaded at 55 for some initial sight in and break in vs most others shooting it I’ve seen moving a bit quicker than that and charges in the 57-58.5 gr range. I could try to go even lower in charge weight but I’d be dropping down in velocity and data than most of what I’ve seen.

 

[T_Widdy]

I would try some different brass just to see, and eject some of your cases slow so they don’t get a dented neck then see if a new bullet drops into the case to rule out neck clearance of the Peterson brass.