bolt closing problem

[totall]

only been reloading for a few months & have a problem I cant figure out. After loading close to 300 rounds for my CZ varmint 204 ruger I had 5 of those rounds that would chamber just fine but could not close the bolt. I cant see anything wrong with the brass & coal is just fine. I also load for my 22-250 and my 25-06 & havent had any problems with them other than still trying to find the perfect recipe. I also just picked up a 17 hornet that I havent shot yet. Wondering if I will have a brass crushing problem trying to seat that small bullet in small brass with my big fingers. Anybody have experience with that little 17?

 

[RT2506]

Are you trimming your cases? A too long case will cause this.

 

[Hunter2678]

Are you trimming your cases? A too long case will cause this.

to piggy back off that, are you also just neck sizing or are you FL (full length) sizing your brass? If just neck sizing its probably time to FL resize your brass and possibly bump your shoulder .001.

 

[totall]

Thanks guys, so far I have FL sized all my brass. The brass in question has been fired 3 times & I admit to not checking every one but did a random check before I loaded them the last time. Have not trimmed any 204 brass yet. Guess i need to pull those bullets and check that brass again on those 5 I had a problem with

 

[sj-pratt]

It's more than likely the shoulder than the neck length would be my guess. every time you fire the brass it work hardens a little more. When you size them they spring back and then hit the shoulder when you try to chamber them. A system to measure the shoulder length, like the Hornaday Headspace tool is the only way you will know if your dies are bumping the shoulder back. Some dies even when set to touch the shell holder will not set the shoulder back and that is why, as your brass gets shot more it becomes a little harder to chamber.