Sized case won’t fit

docmark

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I have a new unfired Weatherby Vanguard 300wby mag I am trying to load for. I am using Nosler once fired brass (in a different gun). Using a Redding press and dies. When full length sizing I screwed the dies all the way down until it made firm contact with the shell holder but the cases still will not fit in the chamber. When I examine the case it appears the die does not sIze it all the way to the belt. Appears to be a little more than a 1/16" that is not sized. Not sure if the problem is the diameter of case near the belt or if it is the shoulder. Either way I cannot go any farther on my die adjustment. I looked inside the Redding die and it doesn't look like it is made to size all the way to the belt. I am no expert and early on the learning curve so appreciate your help. Thank you
 
My last Vanguard, a 257Roy, was chambered short from the factory. Wouldn't chamber virgin Wby brass. After some headstratching I necked some 7RM brass to 257 to see if the neck was the issue and whala it chambered. If you rule out the other issues it's possible this is your issue.
 
Easiest solution is to buy new brass. Use that once fired brass in the original rifle.
Not to get into a lengthy discussion, yes buying new brass will work. But i really think the OP needs to find out why this brass wont fit. He could fire new brass and if his die is out of spec for his chamber, he will be right back where he is now.
Some simple caliper measurements right now will tell a story.
 
Not to get into a lengthy discussion, yes buying new brass will work. But i really think the OP needs to find out why this brass wont fit. He could fire new brass and if his die is out of spec for his chamber, he will be right back where he is now.
Some simple caliper measurements right now will tell a story.
I agree !
What is the case length ?
Is the expander/primer pin rod bottoming inside the case ?
Measure depth of your case holder as in the photo borrowed from a Bill Cauley Jr post.

1593359618142.png
 
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I understand that some might want to know. It is easy enough to find out. But first some more information from Docmark:


You mentioned the Nosler brass was fired in a different gun. Is that a rifle also yours?

Were you able to successfully size the brass for the first rifle?

Or did you acquire some once fired cases from another source?

IMO the issue is the chamber in the first rifle which is larger in diameter just in front of the belt than the Vanguard chamber. I have encountered this before even when both rifles had chambers cut with SAMMI spec reamers usually from different companies. If the first rifle was done by a gunsmith I would suggest the rear of the chamber was sanded and polished which made it larger than the Vanguard's.

If you can get some inexpensive ammo shoot it and see what your Vanguard chamber and the FL die does to that brass.
 
Thanks for the insight guys. As some have suggested it does not appear to be sizing all the way to the belt. I marked the area just in front of the belt and the shoulder and tried to chamber it. The marking was damaged just in front of the belt confirming this is where the problem is. I measured the shellholder at .125". I considered the feeler gauge addition and also just filing down the shell holder or as suggested modified shell holders. My concern is that this will hump the shoulder back more than is necessary and more than I would like? I do have both rifles and could keep two sets of brass but think that is asking for trouble and most likely it would show up with the buck/bull of a lifetime in the scope. First rifle is a Remington custom shop rifle from about 30 years ago so it may have been polished as suggested. My thoughts are I need a sizing die that will size the case all the way to the belt without bumping the shoulder back too far. I will call Redding on Monday but also open to other suggestions. Again, thank you all for your help.
 
Thanks for the insight guys. As some have suggested it does not appear to be sizing all the way to the belt. I marked the area just in front of the belt and the shoulder and tried to chamber it. The marking was damaged just in front of the belt confirming this is where the problem is. I measured the shellholder at .125". I considered the feeler gauge addition and also just filing down the shell holder or as suggested modified shell holders. My concern is that this will hump the shoulder back more than is necessary and more than I would like? I do have both rifles and could keep two sets of brass but think that is asking for trouble and most likely it would show up with the buck/bull of a lifetime in the scope. First rifle is a Remington custom shop rifle from about 30 years ago so it may have been polished as suggested. My thoughts are I need a sizing die that will size the case all the way to the belt without bumping the shoulder back too far. I will call Redding on Monday but also open to other suggestions. Again, thank you all for your help.
A very common problem on belted mags. The Willis collet die is the best die for resizing the problem area, really the only one. I've have one I use on several belted mags prior to sizing case with my Redding dies and it's never failed me.

Even with new brass, that area will eventually grow after several firings and resizing. The collet has a gauge on one end to verify if it will chamber or not.
 
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