6.5x55 brass issues.

[Ploddy Paul]

I have a Tikka T3 which I reload for. A few times this year I’ve noticed the bolt has been tight when cycling for a second shot. So I thought I’d try the brass before reloading. All been fired, no more than 3 times. 122 cases PPU 62, GECO 35, LAPUA 25. Cycled ok GECO 34, PPU 29, LAPUA 12, total 75. A bit tight but usable GECO 1, PPU 7, LAPUA 7, total 15. Too tight ie bolt wouldn’t close, PPU 26, LAPUA 6, total 32. All cases full length resized in Lee die, wet tumbled and then resized in RCBS die. My question is does the T3 have a tight breach? Having a quarter of my brass unusable for reloading seems a high percentage. Thoughts please. I’ll take the unusable brass to the club and get someone to try it in their rifle to compère. Thanks Paul.

 

[Fosbery Holster]

Is your RCBS FL die correctly installed in your press, are you using a correct RCBS shell holder (No 3 if my memory serves me correctly) according to instructions supplied with the die.

 

[KimE]

Use a sharpie to paint the cases to see there it get contact with the chamber. It might be the ball on the depriming needle who stretch out the case on the way up or the case are not sized enough make sure your full lenght resizing die hit the caseholder.

 

[Utectok]

Firstly it is commonly regarded as poor practise to shoot such an allsorts of brass. This is less safe and a load should be worked up for make of brass and not substituted for anything in that calibre. Second I quite commonly get the odd sticky bit of brass can be caused by a multitude of things. If you are resizing properly which is easy enough to check then it can be the very bottom of the case expanding which often a full length die won’t correct. I’ve also had freshly annealed brass sticking a little as the neck obdurated in the chamber. In your case I’d start with a new box of lapau brass and neck expand it before reloading as they come a little tight. Then monitor it carefully.