6.5 Creedmoor cartridge not fitting in gauge

[Pat73]

Hi folks,

I've bought a box of 20 Federal 6.5 Creedmoor 140 grains ammo from a gun store in Canada. Since i reload, i have tried every brand new cartridges in both my Lyman and Hornady gauges.

On 20 of them, 5 does not fit in both gauges. Some fits in the gauge, but stick when the gauge is turn upside-down. One of them is even worst than the other. Usually, other shooters are saying that, if the round fits inside the chamber, there should be no problems.

What do you do thing? My weapon is a Savage Axis II 6.5 Creedmoor with a wooden stock straight from the store.

 

[jmr40]

I've never used gauges before. IMO if it fits in the Chamber AND the magazine I'd think you'll be OK. Some of the long high BC bullets have a longer than normal OAL but it is because of the long poined bullets. Those bullets go farther into the chamber than shorter hunting bullets even in the same weight. But they aren't making contact with the barrel.

IME you will run into problems with the cartridge fitting into the magazine before the chamber.

 

[Varminterror]

Test them in your rifle. Gauges will ensure minimum specification to test whether ammo will fit ALL chambers, but you only need it to fit YOUR chamber.

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

Ditto what Varminterror said. Usually the gauges are min spec... So if they fit in your chamber you should be fine. Also, Federal Power Shok has always shot very well in many rifles I've tried it in. So you almost don't need to spend more on "match" ammo.

 

[InTheSwamp]

As said above, your chamber is the judge.

 

[conan32120]

Let us know if they fit the chamber please

 

[berettaprofessor]

Clean your gauges perhaps? Doesn't take but a small film of lube or a speck of dirt to make mine look like the round isn't in spec.

 

[Pat73]

Clean your gauges perhaps? Doesn't take but a small film of lube or a speck of dirt to make mine look like the round isn't in spec.

I should clean both gauges as i clean my riffle?

 

[Atavar]

I should clean both gauges as i clean my riffle?

No brass brushes

 

[Pat73]

All 19 caryridges fit easylly inside my gun. The one sticking out of my gauges caused problem when closing the bolt and extracting.

For the rest, everythings went smoothly.

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

All 19 caryridges fit easylly inside my gun. The one sticking out of my gauges caused problem when closing the bolt and extracting.

For the rest, everythings went smoothly.

Could be that one round didn't get the bullet quite seated all the way? Do you have reloading dies? You could try seating the bullet slightly deeper?

 

[Pat73]

Could be that one round didn't get the bullet quite seated all the way? Do you have reloading dies? You could try seating the bullet slightly deeper?

Yas. I do reload. I also see a smal notch.in the neck where the bullet is seated

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

Yas. I do reload. I also see a smal notch.in the neck where the bullet is seated

Hmm interesting... Almost looks like they improperly crimped it? That doesn't really look like a crimp mark though...

 

[conan32120]

And that's factory ammo? I would expect that from my not quite sized reloads lol, but from Federal shame shame

 

[Pat73]

And that's factory ammo? I would expect that from my not quite sized reloads lol, but from Federal shame shame

A previous batch had the same problem 7 round on 20 where sitting outside the gauge. The Hornady hauge seem a little tighter than the Lyman gauge.

 

[Pat73]

I had received news from Federal.

I have bought 5 box of 20 rounds from the same lot. I've dropped all 80 cartidges in my Hornady gauge, which has been cleaned, and 17 catridges do not fit in.

Since i live in Canada, i cannot ship all 4 boxes to the US in order Federal to examine those ammo. Accordong to Federal, many Tikka and Savages chamber have tighter tolerance.

Anyway, here a picture of the lot and some manufactured ammo sticking out of the gauge.

Did have any trouble with Federal ammo or your Tikka or Savage riffle?

 

[Dr T]

I think you may be overthinking things a bit. Once a round can be chambered and fired, it is fireformed to YOUR rifle and its unique chamber. If you had multiple 6.5 CMs, you might have cause for concern if you were neck sizing only. Otherwise, I wouldn't sweat it.

The only thing that might give ME pause was the one that gave you a sticky bolt while closing. Frankly, I would probably just shoot the thing and look at the case closely after firing if I was very confident of the action strength and rigidity (ie, I might do this in a Remington 700 but not a 788--Long story with subtitle "How I learned to be careful with Ken Waters' "Pet Loads" data). But, that is just me.

 

[conan32120]

I have recently purchased several boxes of federal .308 ammo to test against my handloads, they all looked like they were made from untumbled range brass, but they were sized properly

 

[Pat73]

I have recently purchased several boxes of federal .308 ammo to test against my handloads, they all looked like they were made from untumbled range brass, but they were sized properly

Same here. Some cartridges looks like they were picked from the range.