What did you do in the reloading room today?

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Question to the group- I bought primed 270 WSM Hornady brass for my 6.5 WSM. I ran all of the virgin brass through a Lee 6.5 WSM full length sizing die. I loaded up some for my pressure test, and there was one round that would not chamber. I pulled the bullet and set this piece to the side for investigation, assuming it was a fluke. I loaded 10 rounds and function tested them today. 5 out of 10 rounds chamber as expected, one took some effort, and 3 would not chamber. I noticed that the 3 that wont chamber have a shiny ring about halfway down the case neck. All of these rounds headspace (Hornady comparator) within .002 of each other and they were all within maximum case length after sizing. I would love to hear any thoughts about the neck rings and solutions for this problem. 60% out of 100 pieces of brass is pretty poor quality if that is the issue and not a problem with my process.

Thank you in advance!

 

[wind gypsy]

Question to the group- I bought primed 270 WSM Hornady brass for my 6.5 WSM. I ran all of the virgin brass through a Lee 6.5 WSM full length sizing die. I loaded up some for my pressure test, and there was one round that would not chamber. I pulled the bullet and set this piece to the side for investigation, assuming it was a fluke. I loaded 10 rounds and function tested them today. 5 out of 10 rounds chamber as expected, one took some effort, and 3 would not chamber. I noticed that the 3 that wont chamber have a shiny ring about halfway down the case neck. All of these rounds headspace (Hornady comparator) within .002 of each other and they were all within maximum case length after sizing. I would love to hear any thoughts about the neck rings and solutions for this problem. 60% out of 100 pieces of brass is pretty poor quality if that is the issue and not a problem with my process.

Thank you in advance!

Please share pics of the ring on the neck.

Is the neck larger in the area of the ring or is it the same for the most part the whole length of the neck? Have you bore scoped your chamber by chance?

 

[wind gypsy]

I am loading 23.5 of Varget to fireform the new lapua brass.

In my small test nosler brass isn’t getting loose primer pockets at 25gr of XBR on the first load (2nd firing on the nosler brass).

Are you seeing lapua primer pockets get loose after forming and then first fire of 25gr of XBR?

Pockets on mine were notably looser (but still hold primer) after virgin firing of 24.0 grains h4895 which is close to xbr but a little slower burning. I think my barrel builds more pressure than most though.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Please share pics of the ring on the neck.

Is the neck larger in the area of the ring or is it the same for the most part the whole length of the neck? Have you bore scoped your chamber by chance?

EDIT 1:
- Looking at 270 WSM loading data, the outside diameter of the case neck should be .312.
- This donor rifle was a 6.5 PRC, and the outside diameter of its case neck should be .297.
- I had this rechambered in 6.5 WSM, and the one crappy drawing I've found shows an outside neck diameter of .294.

I don't have the reamer spec. from the smith, but assuming the maximum outside case diameter of .297 based on the OG chamber, I'm guessing some of this brass is just thicker than it should be after necking it down. I doublechecked and this is a lot of 100 Hornady 270 WSM factory seconds.

EDIT 2:
- I function tested a bunch of the sized brass, and measured the ones that fit and don't fit. There are 2 specific cohorts:
- Brass with outside neck diameter of .285-.288 will chamber (54)
- Brass with outside neck diameter of .289-.291 that will not chamber (46)

Any thoughts on how to reduce the outside neck diameter of the 46 bad ones? Re-lube and size again? Thanks for any ideas in advance.

 

[Mike D Texas]

I've seen 230s and 245s locally, I wouldn't know where to start loading them tho.

Are you chambering with a SAAMI reamer?


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[Mike D Texas]

The neck is larger on these rounds than the other rounds that will chamber. The good ones range from .298 to .300. The bad ones range from .320-.360. Pics are attached and hopefully you can see the rings.

The pressure test round that wouldn't chamber also has a larger neck at .330

EDIT 1:
- Looking at 270 WSM loading data, the outside diameter of the case neck should be .312.
- This donor rifle was a 6.5 PRC, and the outside diameter of its case neck should be .297.
- I had this rechambered in 6.5 WSM, and the one crappy drawing I've found shows an outside neck diameter of .294.

I don't have the reamer spec. from the smith, but assuming the maximum outside case diameter of .297 based on the OG chamber, I'm guessing some of this brass is just thicker than it should be after necking it down. I doublechecked and this is a lot of 100 Hornady 270 WSM factory seconds.

EDIT 2:
- I functioned tested a bunch of the sized brass, and measured the ones that fit and don't fit. There are 2 specific cohorts:
- Brass with outside neck diameter of .285-.288 will chamber (54)
- Brass with outside neck diameter of .289-.291 that will not chamber (46)

Any thoughts on how to reduce the outside neck diameter of the 46 bad ones? Re-lube and size again? Thanks for any ideas in advance.

Sounds like you are going to be investing in a neck turning tool. You’ll have hell getting consistent loads with varying neck thicknesses.

I would also try a different brass manufacturer. I’ve found Hornady to be inconsistent.

 

[wind gypsy]

The neck is larger on these rounds than the other rounds that will chamber. The good ones range from .298 to .300. The bad ones range from .320-.360. Pics are attached and hopefully you can see the rings.

The pressure test round that wouldn't chamber also has a larger neck at .330

EDIT 1:
- Looking at 270 WSM loading data, the outside diameter of the case neck should be .312.
- This donor rifle was a 6.5 PRC, and the outside diameter of its case neck should be .297.
- I had this rechambered in 6.5 WSM, and the one crappy drawing I've found shows an outside neck diameter of .294.

I don't have the reamer spec. from the smith, but assuming the maximum outside case diameter of .297 based on the OG chamber, I'm guessing some of this brass is just thicker than it should be after necking it down. I doublechecked and this is a lot of 100 Hornady 270 WSM factory seconds.

EDIT 2:
- I functioned tested a bunch of the sized brass, and measured the ones that fit and don't fit. There are 2 specific cohorts:
- Brass with outside neck diameter of .285-.288 will chamber (54)
- Brass with outside neck diameter of .289-.291 that will not chamber (46)

Any thoughts on how to reduce the outside neck diameter of the 46 bad ones? Re-lube and size again? Thanks for any ideas in advance.

Think about the dimensions you posted a little more, what they mean, and what they should be.

You really need to know what the dimensions are supposed to be on your chamber if you’re going to be wildcatting.

 

[Castle Rock]

I am loading 23.5 of Varget to fireform the new lapua brass.

In my small test nosler brass isn’t getting loose primer pockets at 25gr of XBR on the first load (2nd firing on the nosler brass).

Are you seeing lapua primer pockets get loose after forming and then first fire of 25gr of XBR?

25 grains will ruin your brass quickly

 

[JasonWi]

Organized the reloading / work bench area as I was tired of things not being as detailed as I prefer.

I bought more and larger totes now all reloading/hunting supplies are tote specific.

Put small bins underneath the bench and those hold all my small hunting items that used to wander off.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Nicely done.

I loaded 50 more for the GT to stretch out some and see what performance I’m getting.

 

[JasonWi]

Thank you. First time I’ve ever been this organized.

After that was done I loaded a bunch of 223 with CCI 450s. Both in Varget and 8208. Planning to shoot them next weekend.

The Varget shoots great with CCI 400s @ 22.0 grains ( 25 shot group was 1.43”) but was averaging 2502, and I was hoping a bit more velocity.

 

[DB29]

25 grains will ruin your brass quickly

For sure, it also grouped like crap… but if I could get it to group I might be OK with sacrificing the brass because it was cool making a 77grTMK go over 2900fps out of a 17in .223…

 

[Jpsmith1]

Getting ready for firearms season here. It's a few weeks off

44 mag on the left is 45 colt on the right.

240/250 gr XTPs over a hefty dose of H110.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Think about the dimensions you posted a little more, what they mean, and what they should be.

You really need to know what the dimensions are supposed to be on your chamber if you’re going to be wildcatting.

Thanks. I reread that and meant to delete the first measurements. I was using my old manual lyman calipers. The "edit 2" measurements are with my digital calipers after getting the case specs.

It still doesn't make sense to me that some of this brass won't chamber. Even at .291, the outside neck diamter of the brass that won't chamber is smaller than both the 6.5 PRC (.297) and 6.5 (.294) specs. What am I missing?

EDIT: I dug through emails with the smith and found the smoking gun. Early on we discussed what 4D reamer he was going to rent. We originally discussed either a .296 or .297 model. He ended up going with a .291 version. Mystery sovled and @wind gypsy thank you for the nudge.

 

[wind gypsy]

Thanks. I reread that and meant to delete the first measurements. I was using my old manual lyman calipers. The "edit 2" measurements are with my digital calipers after getting the case specs.

It still doesn't make sense to me that some of this brass won't chamber. Even at .291, the outside neck diamter of the brass that won't chamber is smaller than both the 6.5 PRC (.297) and 6.5 (.294) specs. What am I missing?

EDIT: I dug through emails with the smith and found the smoking gun. Early on we discussed what 4D reamer he was going to rent. We originally discussed either a .296 or .297 model. He ended up going with a .291 version. Mystery sovled and @wind gypsy thank you for the nudge.

View attachment 949882

That’s pretty damn pathetic a gunsmith would use that reamer on a 6.5 PRC chamber (thought that’s what you said it was) unless he knew he was cutting a lot of the shank off (not possible with tikka sporter barrel). Look at the case length and neck diameter of a SAAMI PRC chamber.. you’ve got 0.299-298” neck minimum in the PRC and he ran a 0.291” neck in there a little deeper?! And he didn’t even notice he created a step from .299 to .291 in the chamber neck?

I’m

 

[wind gypsy]

291 would require a bunch of neck turning regardless.. 0.2964” necked 6.5 saum chambers required necked down 7 saum brass to be turned for enough clearance, 0.291 doesn’t have a chance!

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

291 would require a bunch of neck turning regardless.. 0.2964” necked 6.5 saum chambers required necked down 7 saum brass to be turned for enough clearance, 0.291 doesn’t have a chance!

Thank you for the information. This smith is pretty well known locally for his custom REM 700 clones. Re-chambering this Tikka barrel wasn’t necessarily in his normal wheel house, and he mentioned some of the issues he was seeing and also asked for my permission to continue. I clearly didn’t know the right questions to ask, and I appreciate the feedback. I have a second barrel for re-chambering and will take it elsewhere when the time comes.

I’m not familiar with bushing dies, and would it be possible to take a 270 WSM bushing die and drop in a 6.5mm .288 bushing to avoid neck turning?

 

[wind gypsy]

If your chamber has a step in the neck, I would not use it at all. I wouldn’t bother with a reamer that has a neck diameter any less than 0.299” unless it’s a short neck that doesn’t extend past the factory chamber neck.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

If your chamber has a step in the neck, I would not use it at all.

I will discuss with the smith and report back. Thanks again.

 

[wind gypsy]

I will discuss with the smith and report back. Thanks again.

Going off SAAMI min spec and that reamer print, you'd have a neck of roughly 0.299" diameter for 0.190" and then a step down to a neck of 0.291" for 0.070" IF he didn't set the barrel back. Based off those numbers, if he set back your barrel 0.200" the shoulder would clean up the larger diameter neck of the PRC chamber and it should be good. Maybe he did that and your necks are just spec'd too small and you'll need to neck turn your brass to function.

Sizing brass doesn't reduce neck diameter. There is a certain amount of brass in a neck and it needs to fit around a bullet. you need to turn (skim thin layers of brass off) necks to reduce brass thickness. You need clearance between brass and chamber so if you have a 0.291 chamber, you probably want 0.287 loaded neck diamter or less. Larger may chamber and function but getting too tight is not ideal and can cause issues. Neck turning is a pain in the ass and I'd never spec a chamber that requires it if avoidable.