Brass is hard to chamber after full-length resize

[Ga6570]

I'm reloading 6.5 PRC Hornady brass. Factory ammo chambers fine. After resizing the brass using a Hornady match full-length resize die, the brass barely chambers—the bolt is sticky loading and unloading the brass. I have the die set so the case goes as far into the die as possible (shell holder hits the bottom of the die and cams over). Hornady customer services says it's because the match-grade dies only bump the shoulder .002" and the custom dies will bump the shoulder farther back.

Does anyone know if this is true? Let's be honest, there's a ton of misinformation in the guns/ammo/reloading world, and I've learned not to trust something just because someone who should know what they're talking about says it (because a lot of them don't actually know, even though they should).

Seems to me that bumping the shoulder even .002" should be enough for it chamber without the bolt getting sticky. I'm suspicious that the resizing die I got is out-of-spec (happened before w/ a Hornady .308 custom die and the problem resolved when I got a .308 match die).

Should I just get another resizing die, this time not a Hornady, and see if that fixes the issue? Dillon doesn't make 6.5 PRC dies yet, so I'd have to get Forster, RCBS, or Redding. Recommendations on which one to get?

If you are not far from me, I'd be happy to help by loaning my Lee 6.5PRC die to you. Or you send me some once fired unsized brass and I push it for you, then you can use it for measurements to collect the data to determine what's happening with your dies.
I've never had that problem with the Lee dies. I've loaded a couple hundred 6.5PRC with it.

I'm in the Bozeman area.

 

[fmuguira]

Simple things to try:
First do some measurements are previously mentioned. New, fired and sized cases.

See if you can CAM over your press a little more. Often that last little bit will move the shoulder back

Consider taking die to someone with a lathe and turn .005, maybe .010 off the bottom.

If none of these are things you want to do there's the custom die route… spendy though.

I personally wouldn't mess with running reamer in further unless it was an absolute last resort. I believe the above suggestions will get you there. It is interesting that once fired brass is tight… I typically shoot new brass and neck size only for 2-3 firings before my bolt gets sticky.

Good Luck!

 

[parshal]

I'd just about guarantee if you use Alex's PRC reamer to "clean" up the base area your problem will go away. It's a known and very common problem. If you send me the barreled action I will do it for free. You just pay shipping.

 

[Chas1]

Had similar issue with 308 until I got a small base die. If that's not the issue then I've heard some have trimmed .001- 002 thousands off bottom of die (so it can be screwed further down) and repeat until shoulder is bumped back far enough. Of coarse it goes w/o saying this may not be a viable alternative unless you have the equipment that would trim it and the expertise.

 

[TXTrained]

I'm reloading 6.5 PRC Hornady brass. Factory ammo chambers fine. After resizing the brass using a Hornady match full-length resize die, the brass barely chambers—the bolt is sticky loading and unloading the brass. I have the die set so the case goes as far into the die as possible (shell holder hits the bottom of the die and cams over). Hornady customer services says it's because the match-grade dies only bump the shoulder .002" and the custom dies will bump the shoulder farther back.

Does anyone know if this is true? Let's be honest, there's a ton of misinformation in the guns/ammo/reloading world, and I've learned not to trust something just because someone who should know what they're talking about says it (because a lot of them don't actually know, even though they should).

Seems to me that bumping the shoulder even .002" should be enough for it chamber without the bolt getting sticky. I'm suspicious that the resizing die I got is out-of-spec (happened before w/ a Hornady .308 custom die and the problem resolved when I got a .308 match die).

Should I just get another resizing die, this time not a Hornady, and see if that fixes the issue? Dillon doesn't make 6.5 PRC dies yet, so I'd have to get Forster, RCBS, or Redding. Recommendations on which one to get?

I doubt the die is out of spec..but it could be.
I suggest get a LE Wilson or a Whidden Die with the Click Adjustable Nut along with whatever size Neck Bushing you need/want and use a Mandrel for inside neck uniform TO eliminate the stretching the ball does.
You may want to just buy Adjustable Nut that clicks to be more precise on bumping the shoulder.
I do suspect you are just not bumpi g it back enough.Good Luck

 

[parshal]

A small base die will "fix" the problem because it's the .200 that oversized. If you shorten your die you'll bump the shoulders too much. If this were not a 65 PRC I'd be looking at all these other fixes. Since It's a PRC and this exact symptom is a known problem I'd look at opening the .200 line in the chamber either with Alex's reamer or other methods that require a lathe.

 

[Chas1]

It is interesting that once fired brass is tight… I typically shoot new brass and neck size only for 2-3 firings before my bolt gets sticky.

Good Luck!

I agree. On my 308 and 30-06 I typically get 5 firing before I start to feel any bolt resistance.

 

[HTJ]

I'm reloading 6.5 PRC Hornady brass. Factory ammo chambers fine. After resizing the brass using a Hornady match full-length resize die, the brass barely chambers—the bolt is sticky loading and unloading the brass. I have the die set so the case goes as far into the die as possible (shell holder hits the bottom of the die and cams over). Hornady customer services says it's because the match-grade dies only bump the shoulder .002" and the custom dies will bump the shoulder farther back.

Does anyone know if this is true? Let's be honest, there's a ton of misinformation in the guns/ammo/reloading world, and I've learned not to trust something just because someone who should know what they're talking about says it (because a lot of them don't actually know, even though they should).

Seems to me that bumping the shoulder even .002" should be enough for it chamber without the bolt getting sticky. I'm suspicious that the resizing die I got is out-of-spec (happened before w/ a Hornady .308 custom die and the problem resolved when I got a .308 match die).

Should I just get another resizing die, this time not a Hornady, and see if that fixes the issue? Dillon doesn't make 6.5 PRC dies yet, so I'd have to get Forster, RCBS, or Redding. Recommendations on which one to get?

Check the de primer rod, might be to low and is keeping your brass from really being FL sizing. Back it out and resize, try brass in chamber, if it works you'll know

 

[Pdyson]

There a lot of folks on this forum that know way more than me and I may be way out in left field here but… isn't the hornady match die set a bushing die? Do they come with a neck bushing installed? I know other brands require you buy it separately. What made me ask, is you mentioned the brass won't chamber, not your loaded round. Of course If the neck was not sized it wouldn't hold a bullet, but it could cause a tighter than normal fit. Then again if the brass was fired in your gun it should go back in after just one firing…even with no shoulder bump at all. Back when neck sizing was cool I could get four or more firings before having to bump the shoulder. Forgive me if I'm stating the obvious

 

[7mmTikkaShooter]

I'm reloading 6.5 PRC Hornady brass. Factory ammo chambers fine. After resizing the brass using a Hornady match full-length resize die, the brass barely chambers—the bolt is sticky loading and unloading the brass. I have the die set so the case goes as far into the die as possible (shell holder hits the bottom of the die and cams over). Hornady customer services says it's because the match-grade dies only bump the shoulder .002" and the custom dies will bump the shoulder farther back.

Does anyone know if this is true? Let's be honest, there's a ton of misinformation in the guns/ammo/reloading world, and I've learned not to trust something just because someone who should know what they're talking about says it (because a lot of them don't actually know, even though they should).

Seems to me that bumping the shoulder even .002" should be enough for it chamber without the bolt getting sticky. I'm suspicious that the resizing die I got is out-of-spec (happened before w/ a Hornady .308 custom die and the problem resolved when I got a .308 match die).

Should I just get another resizing die, this time not a Hornady, and see if that fixes the issue? Dillon doesn't make 6.5 PRC dies yet, so I'd have to get Forster, RCBS, or Redding. Recommendations on which one to get?

I've had the exact same issue with RCBS dies in a totally different cartridge. I was making contact with the shell holder and couldn't adjust the bump back any further. The full length sizing will actually push the shoulder forward in the opposite of what is wanted. My solution was simply file the top of the case holder down about 0.010" to create enough clearance for the die adjustment. Only took about 5 minutes and it worked beautifully! I'd recommend giving it a try. If you mess something up you're only out the cost of a shell holder vs buying a new/different die. Good luck.

 

[Hard rock]

I've had the exact same issue with RCBS dies in a totally different cartridge. I was making contact with the shell holder and couldn't adjust the bump back any further. The full length sizing will actually push the shoulder forward in the opposite of what is wanted. My solution was simply file the top of the case holder down about 0.010" to create enough clearance for the die adjustment. Only took about 5 minutes and it worked beautifully! I'd recommend giving it a try. If you mess something up you're only out the cost of a shell holder vs buying a new/different die. Good luck.

I load for 2 different 6.5 prcs both custom one Bartlein and other Proof Research with Reddind bushing dies never had the first problem

 

[robpiat]

I have had to cam over to crush with Hornady dies before. They are more concerned with idiots oversizing cases so they are cut long to be foolproof. You can get undersized shell holders, cut some off the die, etc.

FYI most factory ammo is set back further than you would get from their dies from the factory for reliability / compatibility. If you have a case comparator, measure a few factory rounds and then measure the max those dies will go. If you rifle is setup up with minimum or zero headspace, you'll have trouble with those dies.

 

[baldhunter]

I had the same issue with one of my 7mags.I was using a RCBS die.Never had an issue before with several other 7mags,but this one rifle in particular,if I chambered the brass it would smear the headstamp.I set the die down as far as it would go and no improvement.I bought a couple sets of dies in RCBS and Lee and the rifle would chamber the brass just fine with the other dies.

 

[DUSTY NOGGIN]

Hornady customer services says it's because the match-grade dies only bump the shoulder .002" and the custom dies will bump the shoulder farther back.

from what .. the sammi spread in tolerance .. i would have laughed if they told me that . they knew you wanted to hear .002 thousands ..

so ydnanroh makes a match die that doesnt match all chamber possibilities .. i bet theyll sell a shell holder that matches ... no wait, thats redding