Ruger RPR bolt camming down way too hard

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Ks5shooter

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My RPR in .243 will not cam down on a loaded shell. Also resized brass without bullet is impossible. Both drop into chamber easily but bolt wont cam down. Any ideas?
 
Rub your brass with a sharpie and try to chamber it again if it fails to close on it pull it out and see if any of the marker rubbed off if so your brass hasn’t been sized properly
 
My RPR in .243 will not cam down on a loaded shell.
You mean a cartridge; shells are for shotguns.

This is what factory ammo is made for. If you haven't already get some, try again, report back. If you have, please clarify with the rest of your story.
 
I've had several of the Ruger American's. All of them have had chambers cut on the small side. Factory loads have worked, but brass used and resized to fit other rifles is often too big to fit the chamber.
 
FWIW

I neck size my reloads and keep brass rifle specific.

My dad however FL sizes everything

My groups way better
 
Since the rifle is called a "precision" rifle i would guess the chamber on the tighter side of spec.

Not into neck turning territory.

But still tight enough to use cases fitted to it. Read: FL size and then keep em w that rifle.
 
Hookeye said:
Since the rifle is called a "precision" rifle i would guess the chamber on the tighter side of spec.

I bought a Bartlein barrel for one of my Accuracy International rifles three or so years ago and it shot Hornady factory ammunition lights out from the get go. When I measured the fired brass and compared it to a GO gage it indicated that the chamber was at least .005" over minimum SAAMI. I sent it back to Mile High and they turned the shoulder down .004" and when I got it back it still shot lights out. Proof sets up their rifles at the upper end of the GO gage so I'm not convinced that a tight chamber accomplishes anything other than frustration. If you're a handloader, why would you care what the chamber is? I sent the barrel back because I didn't want a significant POI shift shooting factory vs. handloads, but that was the only reason.
 
I've had several of the Ruger American's. All of them have had chambers cut on the small side. Factory loads have worked, but brass used and resized to fit other rifles is often too big to fit the chamber.
THIS^^^^^^^^^^^ my loads fit in 2 other .243 guns ,,,,so I guess Ill have to tailor loads for the RPR. Thanks everyone will advise on outcome.
Same experience as JMR.
My 300aac wouldnt chamber shells, from my AR. The 6.5 wont use shells from either of the others Ive owned, and my RAMs juuuuust tight enough to stick solid on shells that were sized for my Browning.....pound it open and you gotta be careful not to snap the nose off the bolt stop when it shoots open.
 
My RPR in .243 will not cam down on a loaded shell. Also resized brass without bullet is impossible. Both drop into chamber easily but bolt wont cam down. Any ideas?

If resized brass won’t fit in the chamber, they are not resized enough. Nothing you do after that is worth wasting time on. You can prime, add powder and even seat a bullet but of they don’t fit to begin with, they won’t fit in the end.
 
What about factory rounds. Personally, I'd start simple by looking to my reloading procedures sizing cases for that rifle. Are you full length sizing you brass. Meaning is the sizing dies firmly against you shell holder? Have you considered a search for small base dies. Sounds like a trip to the Mother Ship is in the agenda. I'd do that before altering the rifle in any way. Seeing if that rifle works right with factory rounds is a good place to start.
 
My RPR in .243 will not cam down on a loaded shell. Also resized brass without bullet is impossible. Both drop into chamber easily but bolt wont cam down. Any ideas?
If your resized brass that has not been loaded will not fit into the chamber and close then your your dies are not adjusted properly. Shoulder is too far forward.
 
Addendum: Wonder if OP is still with us?

You can click on his user name and see he was last ”here” at 6:43 pm yesterday. Doesn’t mean he was in this thread though.
 
Verdict is in ....factory shell cams down fine I will take headspace measurements from factory shell and adjust from there thanks all for input.:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
Most all die manufacturers give instructions similar to these (quoted from chuckhawks)
* note there are some progressive presses which should not be set up for camming over, in which case the die simply touches the shellplate:

Here is how to adjust the resizing die to full length resize cases. First, run the ram to the top of the reloading press stroke with the proper shell holder installed. Second, screw the resizing die into the press until it stops against the elevated shell holder. Third, all play must be removed from the system. To do this, lower the ram and turn the die 1/8 to 1/4 turn farther into the press. Check the adjustment by returning the shell holder to the top of its stroke--you should feel the press cam over center. Now set the large lock ring and your die is adjusted to properly full length resize cases.
https://www.chuckhawks.com/adjust_reloading_dies.htm
 
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