Bolt sticking on un-fired chambered round

[devon deer]

Hi Chaps,

Firstly, i am not an expert in gun smithing or reloading so any answers/suggestions need to be easy for this numpty to understand!

I reload my own ammo using the basic lee classic (the one that uses the hammer) and have never had any problem with consistency or accuracy, i trim the case after use.
But, my 30-06 is causing me a problem, i chamber a round, when i come to unload the bolt sticks and i can't get the round out, i have had to be really forceful on the bolt, or in the case of today i had to fire the round to extract it!
This couldn't have come at a worst time as i am off to Montana in 3 weeks!

Thanks in advance

Cheers

Richard

 

[belly-deep]

What??? I thought your wife wasn't letting you come back????

I'd check a couple things. First are there rifling marks on the bullets? If your load are a little long, they may be sticking in the rifling. Even if its an old recipe, manufacturers sometimes change ogives. I've got older boxes of Hornady 150 gr. .277" bullets that clearly have a different shape than newer ones.

Next I'd give your chamber a good cleaning.

Do the rounds chamber easily?

If all else fails, load up a new batch of ammo with brand new brass (that is, assuming you can find any).

 

[MinnesotaHunter]

I'd check a couple things. First are there rifling marks on the bullets? If your load are a little long, they may be sticking in the rifling. Even if its an old recipe, manufacturers sometimes change ogives. I've got older boxes of Hornady 150 gr. .277" bullets that clearly have a different shape than newer ones.

This would be my bet, especially if they load easily. You would feel some resistance as you close the bolt, however.

 

[cowboy]

What??? I thought your wife wasn't letting you come back????

I'd check a couple things. First are there rifling marks on the bullets? If your load are a little long, they may be sticking in the rifling. Even if its an old recipe, manufacturers sometimes change ogives. I've got older boxes of Hornady 150 gr. .277" bullets that clearly have a different shape than newer ones.

Next I'd give your chamber a good cleaning.

Do the rounds chamber easily?

If all else fails, load up a new batch of ammo with brand new brass (that is, assuming you can find any).

Or - you may need to push the shoulder back farther on your brass. Are you neck sizing, FL resizing or something in between?

 

[devon deer]

I reckon you are right, there is a little resistance when i close the bolt, i havent changed anything, except, it is a new batch of Sierra Gamekings, i just wonder if i need to move back of the lands a little.
I will make adjustments, reload some more, and report back in a few days.

Belly-deep, i just told my wife i was going back and to live with it (i didnt really!)

Cheers

Richard

 

[elkantlers]

Take one of your loaded rounds and seat the bullet a little deeper and see if that cures your problem

 

[emrah1028]

My Savage axis does this with my 180gr Hornady SPs. If I seat them at the crimp groove, the bullet ends up too long and hits the rifling. I haven't had a chance to seat them deeper so I can't give OAL recommendations. I don't recommend firing them though, as pressures may spike to dangerous levels. Seat them deeper but back off down to starting loads and work up.

Emrah

 

[sbhooper]

My Savage axis does this with my 180gr Hornady SPs. If I seat them at the crimp groove, the bullet ends up too long and hits the rifling. I haven't had a chance to seat them deeper so I can't give OAL recommendations. I don't recommend firing them though, as pressures may spike to dangerous levels. Seat them deeper but back off down to starting loads and work up.

Emrah

I don't think that ring is actually suppose to be a crimp ring, if I remember what I read about it. It is usually pretty close to factory recommended OAL, though.

 

[bigskyblueman]

Swelled brass was the first thought that came to mind, but I'm no expert on the subject.

 

[MKotur325]

One more thought. Have you tried chambering the reszed empty cases? I had similar issues with my .325 and found that my die had shifted and was not re setting the shoulder properly. You may need to reset your sizing die. Try chambering a resized empty case. If that doesn't chamber easliy, there's nothing wrong with your seating depth.

 

[devon deer]

Sorted, i chambered a spent case, no problem, i chambered a round, felt a little resistance on closing the bolt, tried lifting the bolt and it was difficult.
So, firstly i gave the gun a total clean and oiled/greased everything.
Then back to the rounds, i had a few manufactured rounds which i tried and they worked ok, so i seated the bullet slightly deeper and hey presto no more problem.
Just have to zero the rifle again and check for pressure signs.
Thanks for all the advice.
Cheers
Richard

 

[sbhooper]

Sorted, i chambered a spent case, no problem, i chambered a round, felt a little resistance on closing the bolt, tried lifting the bolt and it was difficult.
So, firstly i gave the gun a total clean and oiled/greased everything.
Then back to the rounds, i had a few manufactured rounds which i tried and they worked ok, so i seated the bullet slightly deeper and hey presto no more problem.
Just have to zero the rifle again and check for pressure signs.
Thanks for all the advice.
Cheers
Richard

Glad it worked. Reloading is a never-ending source of frustration for sure. It is a project where you never quit learning. There is always something new. I have been doing it for over 40 years and still learn stuff, especially on forums with people that really know what they are doing.