Strange Problem reloading? Help!
 

Today I went out to shoot, working up a load for this elk season. Early I know, but I like to shoot...

Loading Nosler Accubonds in 300 Win Mag. 180 Gr. Found a max load on Reloaders Nest for 77 Gr using RL-22. I have a large 5 lb can. I looked through the Nosler book at the store, and they recommended 71.5 (Min), 73.5 (Most Accurate), and 75.5 (Max).

So I loaded 3 -71.5, 3 -73.5, 3 -75.5, and 3 - 76 Gr.

Shot off about 40 Hornady 168 SPBT first (so no problem with gun) using 75 Gr. RL-22.

Then the problem switching over to the Accubonds.

Fired one of the 71.5 powder loads - I hear a click, but nothing. With earplugs sounded like I dry fired. I thought a misfire, opened the bolt slowly. I expected to see the entire shell, with bullet. However, no bullet. Primer spent and powder burned. Bullet in barrel somewhere. So I leave the range expecting to have to take this to a smith.

Get home and try with a cleaning rod to see how hard it is wedged. The WEIGHT of just the rod knocks the bullet back down into the chamber. No rifling and no pressure to get out.

At first I thought this may be due to low powder (71.5 gr.) But now think it may be something with the seating? I seated them all, and always have at the published COL length of 3.340" Never had a problem until now?

Confused?????:eek:

RE: Strange Problem reloading? Help!
 

Sounds like you missed filling that case. If the primer went off and a full load of powder had been ignited, you would have known it. Flash and gasses everywhere. 71.5 gr of RL22 makes a big explosion. Are you sure that the powder didn't fall out in the action somewhere?

The Hornady book starts out around 63-64 with a 180 gr so 71.5 should be an undercharge.

I personally do not try loadsthat are over thebook max.

RE: Strange Problem reloading? Help!
 

Just sounds to me like you missed charging the shell with powder. The primer can have enough power to lodge the bullet in the barrel. The other thing you may wish to check is the actual diameter of those bullets. Seems one of our guys had a bit of a problem with this very thing not too long ago.

RE: Strange Problem reloading? Help!
 

Hmmmmm , sounds like you missed a powder charge, only the primer went off and it just doesnt offer enough pressure to get the bullet past the throat. I would certainly think if there was any powder present in the case, it would have driven the bullet into the rifling and you would have to use some force to drive it out.

RE: Strange Problem reloading? Help!
 

This seems to be an even better an explanation perhaps. I know I reloaded carefully, but may have missed one.

I have the Hornady book as well, but not the Nosler. I was going to buy the book, you know those cheapies for 1 caliber.. where they have all the bullet makers in one for $7.99. THe Hornady book I have lists 180 from 63.5 to 76 gr.

No BOOM. That is what surprised me. There was soot on the bottom of the bullet, like burnt powder. Can a primer do that? I have the other 2, and both with powder but unsure to fire them... Really my rifle is fine, and have shot Hornady 180 gr up to 74 gr. so far. Better to err on the side of caution.

RE: Strange Problem reloading? Help!
 

Thanks for the idea... even though they came straight out of an unopened Nosler box. Now that would get them a nasty call! :D

RE: Strange Problem reloading? Help!
 

How would 71.5 be an undercharge? This should be about smack dab in the middle of Hornady's numbers, as they max at 76.0 for RL22

RE: Strange Problem reloading? Help!
 

That had to be it. Thanks for the really simple explanation fellas. I am thinking if there were powder then I should be able to tell. I can tell when the 300 Mag goes off! That is what had me so confused. Like, is that it where did the recoil and noise go? I guess I fired a blank...

The primer sound going off, must have been the click sound (with ear protection)

RE: Strange Problem reloading? Help!
 

Be more carefull next time;)

RE: Strange Problem reloading? Help!
 

Even though I am very careful, it goes to show that mistakes can easily be made. Although I feel it a stupid error, guess it could be much worse! :D

RE: Strange Problem reloading? Help!
 

Before you seat your bullets, shine a flashlight's beam in all the cases to make sure you did not miss charge one. Good luck.

RE: Strange Problem reloading? Help!
 

I agree. Take a look at the base of that bullet. Is it all blackened with primer soot? I had a friend once who did the same with a 308. Fortunately for him, the bullets didn't leave the case! He was cussing those "lousy no-good primers that didn't fire." When we pulled the bullets, lo and behold! The primers HAD fired alright! He just had a few that he didn't put the powder in....... The 200-grain bullets were just too heavy for the primer alone to blow the bullet up into the throat.

In your case, the fact that the bullet came out so easily tells me there was only primer energy behind it. If the whole powder charge had burned, the bullet would not have been so easy to remove. In fact, it would have gone downrange as it should have.

RE: Strange Problem reloading? Help!
 

Hink-

Don't feel stupid. Everyone makes errors now and then. Be thankful you missed one charge rather than over charged the shell. In the case of a .300 an extra 75 grains would spill over, but still, less is better !

RE: Strange Problem reloading? Help!
 

Well at least I am not the only one who makes mistakes. I accidentally loaded a ball in my m/l the other day without putting any powder in it. Oops. [&:]

RE: Strange Problem reloading? Help!
 

Sorry folks. That should have read 71.5 should NOT be an undercharge. When I posted that, I had just returned home from the hospital (appendectomy). The pain meds must have still been working :). Now I had better go back and check some work e-mails that I replied to last night LOL.

And yes, I'm sure that the way that most of us knew what happened was that somebody that we know ;) has done it before.

RE: Strange Problem reloading? Help!
 

Exactly. I have been load well over a decade, and I seem to be making more mistakes now than I ever did. Stupid mistakes. I used to be so careful, about only getting out bullets I am going to load, or only pulling out powder I am going to use, and promptly putting it back up when finished. I used to be so careful about documenting my loads. I don't know whats gotten into me lately, but I seem to make alot of mistakes this last few months. I think complacency will get you more than newbie mistakes.

RE: Strange Problem reloading? Help!
 

My load for my 300win mag lately is 76-77gr of RL22 with 180gr accubond. Works great. And at 3100fps, not bad velocity. REason I mention 76-77 is I am not sure about 77gr yet. I get slight heavy bolt lift. And built this load this winter on 30degree days. So I might want to back off to 76gr.

RE: Strange Problem reloading? Help!
 

This is right on the numbers I have. Nosler maxes at 75.5, and the highest I could find on reloadersnest was 77. I will work my way up to 76 and stay put there. But, I might try the 77 if all fares well.

A 180 gr. Accubond at 3,100 fps sounds like something you don't want to step into the crosshairs with! :D

RE: Strange Problem reloading? Help!
 

Actually if I could get some expert info on the Accubond?

ELK- Will probably be using for elk. One of the better choices? Or should I step up to the Partition, Swift A Frame? Trophy Bonded Bear Claw? TSX or MRX?

Thinking the 180 gr. Is this ideal weight? Better going up to a slower bigger 200 gr. or sticking with a faster 180 in a 300 WM?

MULE DEER- Also been told this is a great mulie deer bullet as well. Probably have to step down to a faster 150 or 165 gr. ???