Reloading Issues with BAR 270 WSM

[MghtyHntr]

:banghead:I'm just getting into loading and already running into a brick wall! I bought a new set of 270 WSM Hornady dies and reloaded 20 shells. The problem is that about half of them will not chamber in my rifle. They chamber fine the first 90%, but seize up about the last 1/4". I pulled the bullet and tried just chambering the empty casing, but the same problem happens. The other 50% of the shells chamber fine and the problematic cases have almost identical measurements. I'm using casings from once fired remington factory ammo. I've had my BAR ShortTrac Stalker 2+ years (with 2 elk under it's belt) and never had a problem w/ factory ammo.
This is my first time re-loading, but can't think of anything I'm doing wrong... Any suggestions??

 

[jgh4445]

My BAR requires small base dies. I have the same problem if I use standard dies.

 

[steve4102]

You are using Full Length Dies, correct. Neck dies will NOT work in an auto-loader.

Sounds like you need to bump the shoulder back. Screw your Full Length die into the press until it contacts the shell holder, then screw it down 1/4 turn more. Lube and size a piece of brass. If it chambers your done, if not keep screwing the die in until it chambers.

How's the case length? Within specs?

 

[fguffey]

Mightyhnter, There was a time RCBS made BAR dies, I have three sets and gages, one is a Pratt and Whitney electronic gage, I removed the electronics and installed a dial indicator on the stylist, not much work for .00001 readings, for the difference between standard dies and BAR (small base) dies I think a small investment in a feeler gage is better than something that cost 20 times as much (cost X number of sets of small base dies), I make gages for determining case length from the head of the case to the shoulder out of tools that have another purpose, if a case I size is not going to fit, I know before I chamber it, I do not recommend purchasing shell holders from Redding that have different deck heights, a set of competition shell holders come in a set of 5 from -.006 to +.006, the attitude on a forum when solving problems is purchase another tool, I look for ways to adjust the tools I have.

Following instructions, If I screw the die down to the shell holder with the ram up and give the die an additional (guesstimate) turn after lowering the ram I am sizing cases for a chamber that has .005 thousands head space, If I reamed (cut) the chamber it will have less than that.

M1 Garands had clearence cut into the chamber and shot the same ammo as MGs, Enfields and Springfields, .0002 thousands or less, so how small was the ammo?

F. Guffey

 

[NCsmitty]

Seeing that some of the cases do chamber, you must be close. Follow steve4102 suggestion on dropping the FL die that you have, before investing in a small base die. I think that you're not getting the full benefit of your current die.
It will probably take care of the problem.

NCsmitty

 

[Walkalong]

I think that you're not getting the full benefit of your current die.
It will probably take care of the problem.

Agreed

 

[MghtyHntr]

Thanks for all the feedback! Yes, I am using full length dies, and I already went through the steps to make sure the case is getting fully re-sized; I screwed the die down until it hit the shell holder then cranked it a 1/4 turn more. Still no improvement, so I tried lowing the die even more, but still no good. I finally tried sticking a shim between the case and shell holder to see if the slop in the shell holder had anything to do with it, but no good. The overall lengths are good too. Unless there are any other thoughts, I'm thinking it's time to get my hands on a set of small base dies.

 

[steve4102]

If you can't get the shoulder bumped back enough, there are a couple of solutions.
First, call Hornady and explain your problem to them. They may have sent you a defective die, but I doubt it.
Second, is to shave a few K off the top of your shell holder. This should give you the sizing you need.
Third, send the die back to Hornady and have them machine a few K off the bottom of the die.
I currently load for 3 BAR rifles, none of these rifles require a SB die.

 

[HydeSmyler]

I had the same situation with my m70 270wsm bolt rifle. Using lee dies. After a little work with feeler gages I found .003" between case and shellholder did the trick. Lapped down the shellholder .003 and good to go. The case was sticking on the rear portion. I did headspace measurements as well.

 

[MghtyHntr]

I tried shaving off .003+" off the shell holder, but no improvement. I also tried shaving down the neck a bit, but the same results. I'm wondering if this has to do with my particular BAR model, ShortTrac Stalker?