AR 15 Reloading issue/question
I have been having some of my handloads fail to fully seat, and when I try to draw back the charging handle to extract the round it requires significant force to do so
. This is with once fired brass using small base RCBS dies. They all seem to shoot fine with no pressure issues. Can anyone tell me what the problem might be here? Thanks
. This is with once fired brass using small base RCBS dies. They all seem to shoot fine with no pressure issues. Can anyone tell me what the problem might be here? Thanks
0
-
cwinn,
Pics could tell us a lot. Do you know where the case is too wide? That would tell us one or two things about which process is giving you the problems.
The first two things I'll ask you to do is check that by using a sharpie on one of your cases and see where it smears.
If it's the base or down near, you might not have enough cam-over while sizing your dies. Possibly, you aren't bumping the shoulder back. A typical one that people think comes from sizing actually comes from seating. You might have the seating die adjusted down too far and it puts a tiny little bulge right at the body/shoulder junction.
Find that first. And if you can get a pic of your case to see what is going on.0 -
Start with making sure you are bumping shoulder back enough. That would be my bet. Size several pieces of brass. Take sized brass with no primer, bullet or anything. Chamber, do so by placing in chamber and letting bolt close. If any are hard to eject, shoulder not pushed back enough.
If you bulging on seating, recheck die setup. Especially how far it is threaded into press. I'm going with the first though.0 -
5.56 in a .223 chamber 9 times out of 10 is the culprit. (If you have .223 chamber) Rule of thumb- .223 in a 5.56 OK, 5.56 in a .223 not so much. 0 -
Thanks everyone.
This gun has the Wylde chamber, which I have taken to mean 5.56 and .223 compatible..?
I tried the Sharpie method, and could not discern any noticable areas with a "smudge". Many/most rounds chambered, maybe 40% don't.
I don't have a way to post pictures right now, but heres the procedure. These cases were NOT trimmed, becuase they all hovered right around the max case length as listed in the RCBS manual, and I haven't had any issues with this procedure on once fired brass up to this point.
However, I mainly load handgun, and after Sand Warrior jogged my memory I realised I forgot and did not CAM-Over on these rounds..... I let the die touch the shell holder, then backed off approximately a half turn.
Should I assume this is where my problem is stemming from? Thanks again.0 -
If your sized brass stick in the chamber, you have either a sizing problem or the cases are too long.
Your sizing die adjustment is incorrect as you have already determined. Correcting this may solve your difficulties.
BTW, once the fired brass has been sized, there is NO difference between 5.56 and 223. The Wylde chamber should be more forgiving than a 223 in OAL but not so much in actual headspace length.0 -
Are you crimping the bullets? Could be too much crimp causing the case to bulge. 0 -
No crimping. From the info here I think it must be my improper sizing technique. I'll redo some of the loads this weekend and see if that fixes my problem. 0 -
I know you can make mil. 5.56 work. It just can be a PINTA... and not worth the end result 0 -
quote:Originally posted by FrancF
I know you can make mil. 5.56 work. It just can be a PINTA... and not worth the end result
Removing crimps was the biggest PITA I felt. FWIW, ALL new Federal is crimped. Apparently because they do so much 5.56 it's no big deal to run the civilian .223 through the crimper.[?]...[:o)][:o)]...[;)][:D]
As far as just sizing and loading, I don't find enough difference to worry about between mil and civilian brass. Find a load that works for both and shoot it.
For accuracy loads in either bolt or AR guns I separate and prep brass to match as best I can.0 -
What kind of press are you using ??? 0 -
+1 on needing to know the press. I have a dillon 550. I was having the exact problem youre describing and found that the powder die was adjusted down too low. Like you, i never trim my brass for the ar. With the powder die being too low and a case that was a few thousandths longer than the rest, the powder die would slightly crush the neck downwards making a ever so slight ring right at the shoulder. Get one of these stuck in your chamber and you almost have to put the stock on the ground and stomp on the charging handle to get it out. Ask me how i broke my charging handle... anyways, if thats similar to your situation, back the powder die all the way off and then slowly turn down and check as you go. When its low enough that the powder bar just makes it all the way across, lock it down. Problem solved.? 0 -
What is the OAL? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by RugerNiner
What is the OAL?
If you're asking me, i can tell you I seat my bullets to about. 005 under max oal to ensure reliable feeding in the mag. Without my books/notes in front of me, i couldn't say what that specifically is. For case length itself, i have no clue. Never trimmed or measured them for the AR. I use lapua brass in my bolt rifles. That stuff is measured but kept separate. If you're asking the OP, well then he would have to answer that. But if they're feeding in his mags, I'm guessing his OAL is fine.0 -
quote:Originally posted by RugerNiner
What is the OAL?
If you're asking me, i can tell you I seat my bullets to about. 005 under max oal to ensure reliable feeding in the mag. Without my books/notes in front of me, i couldn't say what that specifically is. For case length itself, i have no clue. Never trimmed or measured them for the AR. I use lapua brass in my bolt rifles. That stuff is measured but kept separate. If you're asking the OP, well then he would have to answer that. But if they're feeding in his mags, I'm guessing his OAL is fine.0 -
I am using an RCBS Rockchucker. OAL has been right at what the manual suggested for the load, I can't remember off the top of my head.
I disassembled that 50 round batch, resized them using the proper cam-over, and had no issues thereafter. Thanks again to everyone for their input!0 -
I was having the very same problem with my reloads until i bought a set of small based dies from RCBS. Have not an an issue since. Might be worth a look. 0 -
telohf,
I actually am using RCBS small base dies. I just incorrectly set the dies in the press on my last size run, and it resulting in me not quite sizing the cases enough near the base.0 -
Hi...Get yourself a Wilson cartrige case gauge for 223 Rem. If your resized cases fit properly in the gauge, you will have no problems. BT 0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
18 comments