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Do I need a small base die to save my brass?

I purchased a BCM Barrel and it was a designated marksman's Barrel made out of 410 stainless. I can only get one brand of ammo to feed. I had to ream the chamber out a bit to open it up and then I had no more problems out of it . I'm not saying that as your issue but it could be something to that effect.

It is certainly possible. I'm going to load 10 rounds in this 1x fired Lapua and go test tomorrow at my local range. If that ammo works fine I think I will lean towards the small base die versus modifying the chamber.
 
I see pressure signs on brass. Both flattened primers and the early phases of case head separation. There are about a dozen things that could cause this, including what has been said here already. I concur with please delete and restart load work up as you would with new rifle.
 
It sounds like your brass is worn out.

Some guns chambers wear it out faster than others by having a loose/oversized chamber.
 
I have some Federal factory ammo I got today at Walmart I will test in the morning. I also have some 1x fired Lapua brass loaded up to test as well and dropped the charge by 1 grain.

I well get some pictures of the cases and post.
 
It sounds like your brass is worn out.

Some guns chambers wear it out faster than others by having a loose/oversized chamber.
I don’t think the brass is worn out at all. I just need to get it sized correctly, especially if the gun runs the factory ammo just fine tomorrow.
 
I’m looking for some advice for some heavy bolt lift and extraction issues in a new barrel using brass previously fired from my old barrel. Based on all my testing and research thus far I’m thinking a small base die might be the answer to keep this brass going?

I’m getting a click at the top of the heavy bolt lift and after 3-4 shots the brass won’t extract. I have to get it out with a cleaning rod. I just got some 1x fired Lapua brass and it appears to be fine when checking it in the chamber after resizing. Here is a video.


I don't think the issue is over pressure. I'm running 42.0 H4350gr with 130gr ELD-Ms seating .020 off the lands. Here is a pic of some fired cases.

CUD77s3.jpeg
I only use my short base die when it comes to semi-auto guns. Full length or neck sizing should only be used in the same bolt gun. However, it will shorten the life, but if you short base it, then fire form it to the new gun, you could use FS. But as others have said short base is a little looser fit and may slightly affect accuracy, however I haven't seen enough reduction from it to bother me. However, I also don't buy brass, I use collected brass from the range and that I buy(once fired from gun shows or odt members).
 
Can also back off .2 grains of powder...maybe 5 rounds and see if the problem persists. There isn't much pressure sign on your brass...but I DO see some flat primers. With the bolt being sticky to lift...I'd try to back off and re-run a ladder test. New barrel is a new rifle. Could be slightly tighter chamber...Would make sense.

I am assuming 6.5CM...

this is for a nosler pill...but...
View attachment 9280569

42gr H4350 seems to be pushing it.
Hornady manual says 42.8gr is max for H4350. I've backed off the load 1 grain for testing purposes. Once I can get it running right I'll start bumping back up.
 
I only use my short base die when it comes to semi-auto guns. Full length or neck sizing should only be used in the same bolt gun. However, it will shorten the life, but if you short base it, then fire form it to the new gun, you could use FS. But as others have said short base is a little looser fit and may slightly affect accuracy, however I haven't seen enough reduction from it to bother me. However, I also don't buy brass, I use collected brass from the range and that I buy(once fired from gun shows or odt members).
I've read that they are really meant for semi-auto. I can get a redding die for $50 so I think it is worth it to try to save 500 pieces of top of the line brass. If I have to get rid of it so be it but I gotta try. I have 425 case of 1x fired Lapua to mess with if the older brass doesn't cooperate.
 
I've read that they are really meant for semi-auto. I can get a redding die for $50 so I think it is worth it to try to save 500 pieces of top of the line brass. If I have to get rid of it so be it but I gotta try. I have 425 case of 1x fired Lapua to mess with if the older brass doesn't cooperate.
Are you competition shooting? Because if not it'll definitely save them. I have been doing it for 223 and 308, my groups aren't necessarily larger, but they do seem to have slight differences in point of impact. I'd 100% work with your powder charge and COL with lands in mind, because your pressure will be slightly higher with a narrower case.
 
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