Why are some cases tight and others loose?

The area just above the web of the case is subjected to expansion thus sticking, like this causes the "clicker" problem but also might cause problems in chambering. This is also the area that will separate upon excessive headspace. The remedies are using a small base die or chamber modifications. Finding a small base die for the .28 Nosler might be a problem. I use the cheap & available Lee F/L dies that size down to .2 inches from cartridge base for many of my rifles like - .22-.250, 6mmCM, 6.5CM, 6.5PRC, & others but could not find a cheap (like under $25) Lee F/L die for the .28 Nosler. Another die that might fix the problem is the Redding .28 Nosler body die. My Redding body dies appear to size more of case body near .2 of base, like my .22-.250 Redding body die applied to brass sized with my .22-.250 Forster F/L die.

Measuring case diameter variations just above the web or .2 inches will indicate the problem.

Well said, Hugnot!

We live in the relm of making decisons that are a compromise. When you get the web down to acceptable dimension, then you have pushed the shoulder back further than you would like.

Rock On!

VinceMule said:

I once had brass from 3 different brands tested over a lot#. The brass varied 6% by brand and 12% over the three brands.

So, this has been a real eye opener. You can anneal the necks, but you have to live with the Rockwell hardness of the web and shoulder.

Click to expand...

I just annealed several cases that I had put in a box for being hard to chamber. After annealing, I went through my normal procedures; resizing, priming and trimming. Everyone slipped in like a hot knife through butter. Thanks for all replies. It is nice to ask a sincere question and not have my intelligence attacked. Seems like the problem is solved. I greatly appreciate your willingness to help. Now all I have to do is try and find a deer in eastern Idaho. We need to put them on the endangered species list, at least here. Anyone wanting to hunt east Idaho along the Montana or Wyoming border country, save your money and time.

Looks like the OP had inadequate headspace but will brass extract easily after firing?

My problem with 6.5 PRC brass bought as 1X fired in unknown chambers, persisted after annealing & resizing with Lee 6.5 PRC F/L die, measurements showed up to .001- .002 diameter variations at .2 area after F/L sizing. Brass chambered nicely, headspace OK, but clickers & difficult extraction persisted after firing at probably just over 60K psi. Doing the same ops with Forster 6.5 PRC F/L die resulted in difficult chambering and very hard extraction after firing.

No problems with using new 6.5 PRC brass - easy chambering & extraction,.

I need a small base 6.5 PRC body die should I buy 1X fired brass.

Hugnot said:

Looks like the OP had inadequate headspace but will brass extract easily after firing?

My problem with 6.5 PRC brass bought as 1X fired in unknown chambers, persisted after annealing & resizing with Lee 6.5 PRC F/L die, measurements showed up to .001- .002 diameter variations at .2 area after F/L sizing. Brass chambered nicely, headspace OK, but clickers & difficult extraction persisted after firing at probably just over 60K psi. Doing the same ops with Forster 6.5 PRC F/L die resulted in difficult chambering and very hard extraction after firing.

No problems with using new 6.5 PRC brass - easy chambering & extraction,.

I need a small base 6.5 PRC body die should I buy 1X fired brass.

Click to expand...

This is a known issue with the prc chambers. They make a reamer to fix it. The chamber is too tight near the base. Sac makes a die that will size it down but it's pricey. Hornady brass is also not as much an issue but yes it's not great.

This past year I have acquired a AMP and got mandrel for neck sizing. I deprime with a universal die then anneal, size without expander.....
The last step before adding powder is neck size, add powder then seat bullets.
I'm a 1 and done, I don't charge all and then seat all. I have notice more consistent neck tension.
Hope this helps.

I might rry some drastic modifications to a Lee 6.5 PRC F/L die.

bitbythebug said:

I have many rifles but my 28 Nosler has given me the most grief in reloading. I resize and prime every case. I then trim them to precise length. I then load a bullet and some cases are loose and some are tight to very tight chambering. I turned all the necks and that doesn't help. What can possibly be the matter. I am not a competition shooter and don't have competition dies but have shot and reloaded for over 50 years. What am I missing. The tight cases seem to have pressure issues which cause fluctuations in velocities, which make it hard to be consistently accurate. Need some positive help.

Click to expand...

Try over clambering your cases...screw the sizer die down another 1/8 to 1/4 turn .. .same thing is necessary for my 300 Weatherby's....Mark V vs Vanguard...