itchytriggerfinger
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 4, 2010
- Messages
- 95
Hello all,
I could use some input here. I recently bought a custom rifle built by a very well known and reputable gunsmith.
It is built on a Stiller Tac 30 action, Bartlein barrel chambered in 300 WSM. To date, I have only fired 30 rds thru it.
My problems started with some 1x and 2x fired brass I bought to start prepping brass for load development while I was waiting for the rifle. The 1x fired brass is Federal and the 2x is Norma. After running the cases thru a Redding FL size die in a RCBS RC press set to cam over, I found the cases were hard to chamber and harder to extract. This issue remains unresolved.
I was able to find 200 rds of Federal ammunition loaded with 180 gr soft points. On two different outings to the range, the first time I shot 10 rds, letting the barrel cool and then cleaning between shots. The gun shot nice and I noticed zero issues.
The second outing I fired 20 rounds letting it cool and cleaning every 2-3 shots. As I shot I noticed the bolt was getting hard to lift.
This progressively got harder to open the bolt and decided I had better quit. Looking at the cases, the first 10, only one I could see a faint mark from the ejector. The second round of 20, every case it is obvious, some bad enough I could feel the edge of the brass that had flowed into plunger hole.
I can't imagine what is causing this and what changed between outings. The condition was very close temperature and pressure wise, it was at two different ranges with the first one being 500' MSL elevation and the second 900' MSL.
It has been suggested that for reloading I should be using virgin brass, (which I would be if I could find it) or possibly re throating the chamber.
I'm not sure what my next move is, I'm considering pulling the Federal ammo apart and backing off the charge to see if this alleviates the sticky bolt.
Any input would be greatly appreciated...
Thanks,
Jim
I could use some input here. I recently bought a custom rifle built by a very well known and reputable gunsmith.
It is built on a Stiller Tac 30 action, Bartlein barrel chambered in 300 WSM. To date, I have only fired 30 rds thru it.
My problems started with some 1x and 2x fired brass I bought to start prepping brass for load development while I was waiting for the rifle. The 1x fired brass is Federal and the 2x is Norma. After running the cases thru a Redding FL size die in a RCBS RC press set to cam over, I found the cases were hard to chamber and harder to extract. This issue remains unresolved.
I was able to find 200 rds of Federal ammunition loaded with 180 gr soft points. On two different outings to the range, the first time I shot 10 rds, letting the barrel cool and then cleaning between shots. The gun shot nice and I noticed zero issues.
The second outing I fired 20 rounds letting it cool and cleaning every 2-3 shots. As I shot I noticed the bolt was getting hard to lift.
This progressively got harder to open the bolt and decided I had better quit. Looking at the cases, the first 10, only one I could see a faint mark from the ejector. The second round of 20, every case it is obvious, some bad enough I could feel the edge of the brass that had flowed into plunger hole.
I can't imagine what is causing this and what changed between outings. The condition was very close temperature and pressure wise, it was at two different ranges with the first one being 500' MSL elevation and the second 900' MSL.
It has been suggested that for reloading I should be using virgin brass, (which I would be if I could find it) or possibly re throating the chamber.
I'm not sure what my next move is, I'm considering pulling the Federal ammo apart and backing off the charge to see if this alleviates the sticky bolt.
Any input would be greatly appreciated...
Thanks,
Jim