I started reloading 300 WSM. I have about 270 of the nickle brass that I have cleaned and deprimed, resized and primed. After loading a couple to test I noticed they would not let the bolt close.

After careful inspection, I find that the bottom of the brass, closest to the primer is a little larger and obviously did not get resized which is allowing the bullet to go into the gun, but not allowing the bolt to close properly. I readjusted the die and started resizing last night and it is so much harder than normal. Got a couple stuck, but a little added pressure freed them up. The one that is in there now refuses to come out. If anyone is curious, yes I lubed the entire case. I did take the deprimer out to save my current new primers that are already in the case.

Any ideas on this brass and what might be the problem? I am guessing that the bottom expanded when shot although I can not prove it. The initial resize/deprime was NOT hard at all and covered about 80% of the brass. It is that last 15-20% that is giving me trouble.

Any help is appreciated.

1st, was this brass shot in your gun? If not, it has to be Full length sized, and cam'd over. If it was shot in your gun, then you have a chamber that is oval cut. Or out of round.

It was brass you picked up and shot from others guns, and you have chambering issues then die is out of tolerances. What brand die? FL or neck sizer?

You should be able to only neck size and be able to chamber.

How does new factory ammo chamber? Have you taken your calibers and compared the measurements?

It is a combination of my gun and a buddies. I am reloading for him as well and we mixed the brass. Factory brass chambers fine, no problems at all. Before I got one stuck last night I produced 3 bullets that load great, but it took some work getting the brass to size. I am using an RCBS FL die.

I never find it a good idea to load for several rifles same load. Because I usually neck size to save the brass.

Have you tried to chamber just a piece of resized brass (no bullet or powder)? I just wonder if your jamming the bullet in the rifleing.

LOL got the brass out with a punch tool and pulling on the lever. I resized another 40 with out any problem. Some resistance like normal, but nothing much. In the future they will be kept seperate and I was planning on that, but my buddy did not realize that and dumped all in one bag.

I think I got it fixed. I did chanber the brass without a bullet and had the same problem. Apparently the brass was not going all the way into the die which caused the very bottom around the rim to be a tad bit larger. That is where the problem came in. After running through those 40, I chambered about 20 and all went in and bolt locked just fine.

Funny what a small die adjustment does! Thanks for the help.

I'm not trying to sound condescending. You should read the die manual every time you reload. I know I do. I just play stupid so I don't have any troubles.

Same goes with powder. I read the label three times and check the manual at least twice before I put it in the hopper. Then sometimes before I start I double check everything one more time.

Just a thought.

Tom