issue with 165gr sierra's

NBDeerHunter · 10-10-2007, 04:32 AM

I have loaded up some 165gr sierra gameking for my 30-06 (savage model 111) and they seem too long. I can't close the bolt when I try to chamber a round. The case length is well within the proper length and even after following the Sierra reloading manual I am 90 thousand less than the overall length that the sierra manual recommends. I don't have the sierra book in from of me but if my memory serves me right overall lengh was 3.35 or something very close to that and I am just over 3.25.

has anyone ever had any issues with overall length when loading these bullets. It is not that big a deal at this point just need to seat the bullets a bit more. but I find it odd that I am under the recommended length by a decent amount and they still seem too long. I know each bullet is different but I have other rounds that are the same length and they chamber perfectly.

any thoughts

fornra@yahoo.com · 10-10-2007, 05:11 AM

I'd recheck my resizing die as the sierra should work as well as any other bullet. Also it could be a short freebore causing the problem. I'm not out of idea's but I am out of time this morning, gotta go to work, bummer. Glenn

Wilds · 10-10-2007, 05:51 AM

The only thing that sets COAL in stone is the Rifle itself..............

10-10-2007, 09:01 AM

Nothing that strange with what your seeing. I havea few older rifles where the throat is so short, I wouldn't dare to SAAMI max specs. IMO, every reloader should know the rifle throat before loading just because of this. You can buy specialty tools like Stoney Point gauges, or do the split case method.

First thing when I get a rifle to reload for, I find out where the throat is. I take a dremel tool and split the neck of a Neck sized fire formed case (shot in that rifle of course). I insert a bullet and close the bolt. The bullet will push back and I then verify with my stoney point.

I have aquired a 7mm-08 a year ago, that there is no way I can load to 2.8" SAAMI max. I have to load it 2.73" and bullet is still touching the rifling. But its a genuine 0.7MOA shooter.

My recommendation is to know your rifle before feeding rounds. I know some recommend you need a minimal about of tools for reloading, but more and more on these pages, I see people with problems that are easy diagnosed with $50 dollars of tools. Like head and shoulders gauge, and OAL gauge, etc. Even heard some reloaders on here try to load without calibers. Thats crazy.

NBDeerHunter · 10-10-2007, 09:09 AM

thanks for the tip bigcountry. my reloading partner already suggested thethroat issue and we are pretty sure that is what caused it. I was just posting this to see if it is comman and if anyone else runs into this type of thing.

kelbro · 10-10-2007, 10:25 AM

It's doubtful that your throat is short by that much in a factory Savage. Possible, but doubtful.

Were there any marks on the bullets?

Did you full-length resize the brass or just neck-size?

I would bet that it has to do with the sizing of the brass and the shoulder not being set back far enough.

steve4102 · 10-10-2007, 03:11 PM

Does a piece of sized brass with no bullet chamber easily?

Wilds · 10-10-2007, 03:59 PM

A simple black magic marker will tell any tale needed knowing.....

Kiss the lands, then go from there.

fornra@yahoo.com · 10-10-2007, 06:29 PM

Well I'm home from work now but I think you have enough suggestions to ponder without me adding more.
Besides it's all been pretty well covered by some good people. Glenn

Pawildman · 10-10-2007, 10:35 PM

Not to belabor the point, but do what Steve said and see if a resized casing will chamber easily. If it does, well and good. Then do as bigcountry says... split the neck of a resized case three or four times to close to the shoulder. Run thebullet into the case just enough to hold it, then slip it into the chamber and close the bolt. It will take a little effort to do this, as the lands will push the bullet into the neck of the case. Carefully remove the case and bullet. This will be the point at which the bullet is in contact with the lands. Take that reading (OAL) with your calipers and record it. You can now place the case and bullet into your seater die with the seater plug backed way out. Run the shell to the top of the strke. Lower the seater plug until it makes contact with the bullet. Lower the casing. Slowly lower the seater plug until you are seating the bullet to the distance you want off the lands. Check each adjustment with calipers. Also, remember to check to make sure it will function OK through your magazine.