Slight stiffness closing the bolt

[Tiny Tim]

The OP said: The bolt requires ever-so-slightly more pressure to close that with an empty fired case.

More often it's the other way around. So, perhaps the slight resistance is due to the bullet contacting the lands. Have you done a test to determine the maximum length to ojive? Does the slight resistance go away if you seat the bullet a little deeper?

Along with this, after you chamber a loaded round, remove it from the chamber and look for rifling engraving marks on the bullet. Measure the CBTO or COAL to ensure the bullet is not jammed into the lands.

After chambering one of these rounds, do you feel the same resistance when closing the bolt a second time on the same cartridge?
A close inspection of the case after chambering should reveal something. The fact that it only does this after installing a bullet suggests that it is length or neck diameter related rather than sizing related.

How many firings on the case?

Are you loading at or near max? Compressed loads?

Is there a possibility that you have a carbon ring forming in your chamber that the case mouth is hitting?

Chances are good that everything will be fine, but it's certainly worth checking a few things before proceeding.

 

[Tuffcountry]

Mega stink, are you there? Wake up! It's ok you passed out from info overload! Take a few breaths and focus

 

[Brathany]

The OP said: The bolt requires ever-so-slightly more pressure to close that with an empty fired case.

More often it's the other way around. So, perhaps the slight resistance is due to the bullet contacting the lands. Have you done a test to determine the maximum length to ojive? Does the slight resistance go away if you seat the bullet a little deeper?

Now replace the OP typo "that" with "than" and now it reads with more sense. Makes for a little less of a bread sandwich now.

 

[DLJ6]

Did you check the case length after sizing?

 

[Roughrice]

I have some .243 loads that I made up with 87gr VLD's. I loaded about fifteen for a ladder test. I used a case gauge to measure the prepped cases before priming. I did NOT check them in my rifle chamber. The bolt requires ever-so-slightly more pressure to close that with an empty fired case. I can still close it with one finger, it just requires the tiniest bit more effort.

I'm new at reloading, and certainly learned a lesson here already, but am I ok shooting these loads? Rifle is a Savage 11 action with a Shilen sporter barrel. Thank you all in advance.

Perhaps slightly tight chamber, but… if I read and understand correctly, your brass fit before you prepped and primed.

Check you primer seating depth to make sure you have no protrusion beyond case head.

If so, you will get slight snug feel upon closing.

Common occurrence that will cause madness because everything measured and fit fine before loading… then slightly tight upon closing.

 

[StanCaruthers]

I have some .243 loads that I made up with 87gr VLD's. I loaded about fifteen for a ladder test. I used a case gauge to measure the prepped cases before priming. I did NOT check them in my rifle chamber. The bolt requires ever-so-slightly more pressure to close that with an empty fired case. I can still close it with one finger, it just requires the tiniest bit more effort.

I'm new at reloading, and certainly learned a lesson here already, but am I ok shooting these loads? Rifle is a Savage 11 action with a Shilen sporter barrel. Thank you all in advance.

Make sure your primer is seated properly also