stiff bolt - different brass

joes

I have a 223 wssm with an after market Douglas barrel. I am loading brass cases for this rifle with different lots of brass. I am full length sizing all the cases ( have even went 3/4 turn beyond making contact with the shell holder). The problem is, some of the cases allow the bolt to close without any resistance while others need force to close the bolt. I have measured each case and they all are under the 1.66 trim lenght. The cases are all Winchester head stamp. Does anyone have any ideas??? Thank you, Joe.

MIKE WISKEY

probably fired in a different rifle, f.l. dies don't bring cases back to 'factory new' size, you may need a 'smallbase die'.

joes

Yes some of the brass was fired in another rifle ( used brass). If I fire the cases in my chamber will that reform to my chamber on the next loading? Thank you.

perry shooter

Is it possible the neck are thicker on some of the brass and need to be reamed

csteinh

Will a resized, empty case chamber easily?

How large in diameter is the neck of a loaded round as compared to a resized case?

Do you have a "donut" somewhere in the neck area prior to the shoulder?

What type of rifle are you working with? Small base dies are not needed most of the time (you still might need them).

You might consider buying a cartridge gauge so you can measure the correctness of the cartridge before you try to shoot it.

Depending on the reason for the extra force required to close the bolt, it may be a dangerous condition to fire the cases that don't chamber easily. You need to determine why before you go on. Otherwise, disassemble the cartridges and throw the brass away.

zimmden

With a caliper measure neck diameter of a case that chambers easily and measure neck of case that chambers hard. If they are the same, measure case 1/4 inch above the head. If the hard chambering case is .001 to .002 larger, you probably need small base die. If the neck is larger on the hard closing case, the brass is too thick and will need neck turning. The Douglas barrel may have a tighter chamber than normal specs. Check these conditions before shooting cartridges that chamber hard. With a ball micrometer check neck brass thickness.

sandwarrior

joes,

It's case 'spring-back'. You need to anneal. These cases are extremely thick and the heat created on the shoulder-neck area means annealing should be done at least every 4-5 shots. I load for the 25 WSSM and have the same problem.

The latest thing I've done to help save brass with it is going with a Wilson neck sizing die. And, I'm about 2 gr. under max with my latest load using RE-17.

skyfish

I will second what Sandwarrior said. I bought a head space gauge just for the reason you are talking about. I was really bearing the shell holder hard against the die just to get .001-.002 back on the shoulder. After annealing, the shoulder would get set back .007. Cases do spring back if too hard.

It was a 25 WSSM as well.

jonk

SLIGHT resistance on chambering is a good thing. It means your rounds are sized to JUST fit your chamber (like in neck sizing). However if it is more than you can handle with just 2 fingers in operating the bolt- certainly if you have to hit it- something is up. I'd check neck thickness first.