Case problems

[doigan]

Can people offer suggestions and hopefully solutions.

Use Redding 6.5 creed dies to make ammo for my Ruger RPR, no problems what so ever.
Just got new Tikka Target Ace in 6.5 and tried to fit ammo - no joy, bolt will not close.
this happens with full resized cases that I use in the Ruger, was bit surprised so used new Lapua cases, with just the case bolt closes no problem, however if I fit a bullet into the case and make the COAL 2.717 or less bolt will not close, removed the bullet so just the case, bolt will not close. Tried full length sizing the new case, bolt will still not close. It looks like my seating die is bumping the case shoulders or that is my guess. Why would this happen? I loaded a case and bullet and dropped the seating rod down really low and carefully seated the bullet to 2.214 and did not let the case come in contact with the bottom of the die, chambered no problem, this is why I think the die is altering the case, set the die up the same way I have always done, lift up rod, screw in die until just touching shell case holder, back die out 1/2 a turn.
Strange thing is the cases that would not load in the Tikka chamber in the Ruger no problems.
Sorry for the long post.

Thanks for any replies in advance.

 

[jonny.c]

Think you have answered your own problem here die needs backing off more.

 

[doigan]

Think you have answered your own problem here die needs backing off more.

Do chambers differ that much between actions? As I said cases load in the Ruger with no problems at all, that is what is throwing me, would that be the same for the full length die?

 

[8x57]

Chambers do vary that's why it's considered good practise to allocate cases to each rifle. Alternatively you need to full length resize to factory original dimensions each time you reload to make you loads fully interchangeable.
I reserve my Lapua cases for my .308w Sako and use PPU cases for my .308w Mauser.

 

[ashray]

rpr loose chamber/tikka tight chamber . back off 1/4turn try again .if no luck back off again continue until the case fits .

 

[kenbro]

Get a set of competition shell holders and then use these to size for two same calibre chambers with different dimms.
KB.

 

[doigan]

Get a set of competition shell holders and then use these to size for two same calibre chambers with different dimms.
KB.

Is this a form of shoulder bumping Kenbro? Am I correct in thinking that they are different thicknesses and bump the case back accordingly

 

[kenbro]

Is this a form of shoulder bumping Kenbro? Am I correct in thinking that they are different thicknesses and bump the case back accordingly

Yes, the comp. shell holders are thicker than regular ones.
Ideal for sizing two same cal. but different size chambers.
KB.

 

[doigan]

Got to the bottom of it. Appears that the Tikka won't allow anything greater than 3 thousands longer than a factory spec case, had two issues, my sizing dies that is set up for the Ruger was allowing 6 thousands extra and the depth of the seating die was a fraction too low and was also moving the chamfer, backed both off and cases now chamber. The tolerance between the two guns is a big surprise to me, never had that before. Thanks for the input guys

 

[8x57]

You are trimming your cases?

 

[doigan]

Not anywhere near the length required to trim, issue was also with brand new cases

 

[deeangeo]

Get another set of dies (Or just another sizing die) allocate a set for each rifle as chambers & headspace vary.
If you resize brass to SAAMI/CIP dimensions cartridges will fit in both rifles - but it's not ideal to do that if you're wanting best accuracy.
Brand new brass is usually always SAAMI/CIP dimension as far as I know, so should chamber easily in both rifles.
You can chamber only a case in each rifle to test this before loading up any rounds

 

[Bavarianbrit]

The die makers grind the die chamber reamers to a maximum dimension within SAMMI specs then as they produce the dies run the reamers will wear ever so slightly until they become too small to meet those SAMMI specs then they are discarded for a new reamer, hence the dies inner dimensions are not always identical across a production run.
Standard engineering practice.