Need some help, very confused, trying to load some hammer hunters

[Susquatch]

..... and then use STARRETT DIAL CALIPERS. THEY NEVER, EVER LIE!
Theosmithjr

I respectfully disagree. Although Starrett is a top notch brand, I have had two in my lifetime that lied as they aged. The problem with most dial calipers is hysteresis in the dial drive gears such that measurements are not 100% repeatable. The Starrett and Mitsutoyo are both excellent and far less prone to this issue but I have seen it happen. Verniers are the only caliper that cannot and do not ever lie. Nonetheless, my goto calipers are Starrett dial calipers...... the only time I revert back to Verniers (or a mechanical Micrometer of the appropriate length) is when I have some reason to suspect something is fishy about my readings. I NEVER use digital anymore. It's so easy to be lured into trusting them and then they bite you!

 

[hhamerlynck]

Full length resize.

 

[hhamerlynck]

Yes it chambers also. I might have just figured out what the problem is. I just tried a bunch more of my resized pieces of brass and discovered about 1/3-1/2 wont chamber or chamber very difficult. But I still have no idea what to do or what's causing this? Is it my resizing die? Almost new rcbs. And I used Hornady one shot for lube.

Had the same issue with a 7mm rem mag, adjusted the resizing die and solved the problems

 

[BeaverHunter]

Update guys and I have some good news.
1. I tried every piece of new unloaded Nosler brass that I had and it would chamber great
2. Loaded a bullet into the Nosler brass at about .020 off the lands and it chambered great(I had to eventually seat it further in to be able load out of the magazine)
3. Loaded 20 rounds for my load development and they all chamber great loaded about .070 off the lands

I measured the once fired pieces versus the new pieces and can NOT find any major differences. I'm sure a seasoned reloader can but I can't. I measured case length, just above the belt, at the shoulder and the neck. I just traded the 300 win that this brass was fired in so I guess he's getting some once fired Nosler with it!
Can't thank all you guys enough. This was a good learning experience for me that I knew but didn't think mattered: don't swap brass amongst different rifles! Thanks to all!

 

[BeaverHunter]

Also wanted to say that after I loaded my bullets I measured the loaded rounds and they were all exact over all length. I've never had bullets that we're this exact. I'm really loving the look of these Hammers!

 

[Dean2]

Glad to hear it worked out so well. Nice that it was as simple as starting with new brass. Hope u get her shooting tiny little groups at 500 yards so all the work pays off.

 

[.gacton]

This is the most accurate and consistent method for finding the lands exactly.

Thanks for sharing that. I had never seen this method.

 

[hunterbob]

View attachment 121797 View attachment 121796 Alright guys quick back story: recently bought a browning x-bolt long range in 300 win mag with a 1-8 twist. Shot about 15 rounds through it following Browning's barrel break in procedure. Just used cheap 180 grain federals. Gun shot fine.
I've now taken some measurements using my Hornady oal gauge and 181 grain hammer hunters. I'm using the Hornady modified case and 30 cal insert so my measurements are base too give. I've came up with 2.952 base to ogive.
Went to reload some of these sweet hammer hunters, started about .080 of the lands so they would load out of my magazine and made sure they would load out of the magazine, all good. But my problem is the bolt will not close. Feels like the bullet is contacting the lands. I kept seating the bulllets deeper and deeper and was checking to see if I could get the bolt to close. I have to seat the bullet at 2.760 to be able to close the bolt. I'm using Nosler brass. What is going on? I'm very confused. I double checked my measurements again and have the same base to ogive measurements using the Hornady oal gauge. Please help I don't know what is going on. I've included pictures to show what I'm describing. Full disclosure: I've only been reloading for about a year, so I'm by no means an expert. Thanks in advance.

Your problem is the bottle neck on the brass (shoulder) is getting deformed with the resizing of the brass. My suggestion is to get a cartridge gauge, actually 2 gauges. One for just the brass and one for the loaded cartridge...make sure your brass is clean...

 

[smokey3]

I have to work today so I won't be able to get home and try and figure out whats going on until later tonight but here is what I'm thinking about trying, tell me what you guys think.
1. I might have more than one problem but until I get the brass issue figured out, no reason to mess with the oal issue
2. Im going to chamber a piece of empty resized brass and compare that to one that wont chamber and see/measure where the differences are.
3.I'm going to try and seat my resizing die a little deeper and see if the brass will chamber(on the pieces that wont chamber)
4. If number 2 or 3 doesn't work, I'll try developing this load with brand new brass(which in hindsight is probably what I should have done to begin with)
4. If none of that works, I'll give up on reloading all together, admit I'm an idiot to my wife(who I convinced buying all this reloading stuff would save me money), sell all my reloading stuff for 50 cents on the dollar and go back to paying $50-$90 a box of ammo.
Obviously I'm kidding about number 4 but this has been pretty frustrating and I can't say it enough, THANK YOU to everybody that has commented on this thread.
What do you guys think about my plan of attack?

You will be fine. You realize that there is a problem and are humble enough to ask for help. The guys on this sight are very knowledgeable and will help you get it figured out. Let us know when you do.

 

[smokey3]

You may have just told us your problem.
You say your using brass fired in a different rifle.
I have 2 338 Win, one a Ruger M77 Hawkeye Stainless the other a Winchester M70 Classic. The Ruger was purchased before the Win M70.
After fire forming 10 cases to get a H2O Cap I load some brass that had been fired in the Ruger and went to the range.
I didn't check the ammo for function in the M70 prior to going which was my mistake. You got it the ammo with brass fired in the Ruger wouldn't fit in my chamber and returned home.
Checked everything and the measurements where all with in specs.
Something told me to measure the belt on the ammo shot in each rifle.
The belt on the brass fired in the Ruger was .0005" larger then the M70 brass.
Could be where your problem is.
As reamers wear the chamber specs on each barrel changes so even though it may still be in spec the brass could have been fired in a larger chamber and is something that can't be corrected.
Picking up used belted brass has it's own set of problems.
When you get a chance measure the ones that fit your chamber and the ones that are tight or the bolt won't close on and I'll bet even money the belt is enlarged enough to make the difference.

Good answer. I have a 700 Rem 300 WM that I had customized with a new Kreiger barrel. My gunsmith is a competition 1000 yd competitor. He told me the new chamber would be tight, and it was. My old brass shot in the original factory barrel will not chamber in the custom barrel at all and requires a cleaning rod from the muzzle end to remove it. That is more than likely what is happening here. New brass may solve the issue. Lapua is worth the extra money IMO.

 

[Toydy]

View attachment 121797 View attachment 121796 Alright guys quick back story: recently bought a browning x-bolt long range in 300 win mag with a 1-8 twist. Shot about 15 rounds through it following Browning's barrel break in procedure. Just used cheap 180 grain federals. Gun shot fine.
I've now taken some measurements using my Hornady oal gauge and 181 grain hammer hunters. I'm using the Hornady modified case and 30 cal insert so my measurements are base too give. I've came up with 2.952 base to ogive.
Went to reload some of these sweet hammer hunters, started about .080 of the lands so they would load out of my magazine and made sure they would load out of the magazine, all good. But my problem is the bolt will not close. Feels like the bullet is contacting the lands. I kept seating the bulllets deeper and deeper and was checking to see if I could get the bolt to close. I have to seat the bullet at 2.760 to be able to close the bolt. I'm using Nosler brass. What is going on? I'm very confused. I double checked my measurements again and have the same base to ogive measurements using the Hornady oal gauge. Please help I don't know what is going on. I've included pictures to show what I'm describing. Full disclosure: I've only been reloading for about a year, so I'm by no means an expert. Thanks in advance.

Outside neck diameter?

 

[DartonJager]

I have to work today so I won't be able to get home and try and figure out whats going on until later tonight but here is what I'm thinking about trying, tell me what you guys think.
1. I might have more than one problem but until I get the brass issue figured out, no reason to mess with the oal issue
2. Im going to chamber a piece of empty resized brass and compare that to one that wont chamber and see/measure where the differences are.
3.I'm going to try and seat my resizing die a little deeper and see if the brass will chamber(on the pieces that wont chamber)
4. If number 2 or 3 doesn't work, I'll try developing this load with brand new brass(which in hindsight is probably what I should have done to begin with)
4. If none of that works, I'll give up on reloading all together, admit I'm an idiot to my wife(who I convinced buying all this reloading stuff would save me money), sell all my reloading stuff for 50 cents on the dollar and go back to paying $50-$90 a box of ammo.
Obviously I'm kidding about number 4 but this has been pretty frustrating and I can't say it enough, THANK YOU to everybody that has commented on this thread.
What do you guys think about my plan of attack?

Don't sweat it, I have always learned more from solving problems like the ones you are presently having than from effortless success. Just keep careful notes on what you did that worked or doesn't work to use as teaching lessons and reference for possible future similar problems.
I have always strongly believed we learn more from overcoming adversity than simplicity