Stiff Bolt Turning New Gun

[Saskquatch6]

When you dont have your die adjusted down enough to actually bump the shoulder you make the cases longer because your just squeezing them. Make sure your actually bumping the shoulders back.

It does sound like a sizing issue to me also - you said you are using new brass (not yet fire formed). If you have a tight chamber on your new rifle the new brass may have a snug fit giving you the stiff chambering. It's difficult to know how far you have to actually set the shoulder back on your brass until it has been formed to your chamber. Once fire formed you should be able to set shoulder back .002 and hopefully the issues you're experiencing will disappear

 

[DoneNOut]

It does sound like a sizing issue to me also - you said you are using new brass (not yet fire formed). If you have a tight chamber on your new rifle the new brass may have a snug fit giving you the stiff chambering. It's difficult to know how far you have to actually set the shoulder back on your brass until it has been formed to your chamber. Once fire formed you should be able to set shoulder back .002 and hopefully the issues you're experiencing will disappear

That sounds logical.

 

[DoneNOut]

Everyone who mentioned bumping the shoulder back were right. You guys are the best! Never had a short chamber before.
I can get the bolt closed on the initial rounds I loaded but it's tight. Think I should pull all those 20 rounds or is this gonna spike pressure on me?

 

[Rick Richard]

Everyone who mentioned bumping the shoulder back were right. You guys are the best! Never had a short chamber before.
I can get the bolt closed on the initial rounds I loaded but it's tight. Think I should pull all those 20 rounds or is this gonna spike pressure on me?

Just shoot them. I have done the same before too.

 

[DJ Fergus]

Remington 783 Varmint. Factory

Factory barrel or aftermarket. The 783 is usually no stiffer of a bolt turn than an average 700.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

You can bump the shoulder on loaded rounds by removing the decapping stem if its a bushing die. Tight bolt close is how locking lugs get galled. If you must shoot them, grease the lugs every shot.

 

[DoneNOut]

You can bump the shoulder on loaded rounds by removing the decapping stem if its a bushing die. Tight bolt close is how locking lugs get galled.

I'm going to pull them anyway. The neck tension is tighter than any case I've loaded. Got a Lee Collet Die showing up to relieve that tension after FL sizing. Basically flare the neck. ****, this 243 is getting to be a PITA! LOL

 

[L.Sherm]

I've done exactly what Alex has described.

 

[misterc01]

Had a similar problem. Sent my rifle to Savage to have their gunsmith take a look. They slighlty resized the chamber as it was a little too small. Nothing drastic. Bolt moves eaily now.

 

[javman]

Friend had the same issue on a rifle and took it to Bill Weismann and he immediately told him the chamber was to tight after inspecting it. He cleaned it up and now runs as smooth as ever.

 

[DoneNOut]

Well, guess I should try this experiment on factory loaded ammo. Or cases that haven't been through my FL sizer. If it does the same thing then I need to call Remington Warranty if that is even a thing anymore. I could also try a different set of dies. Maybe this used set I got off Gunbroker was sold for a reason...

 

[skipglo]

New Gun, new sized brass, bullets off the lands. Clean chamber and brass. Bolt rotates with stiff chambering. Even tried bumping shoulder back no change. Is the bolt face too long? Pushing the case hard against the chamber?

Have you tried chambering an empty brass! That will eliminate alot of guessing

 

[DirectDrive]

You can bump the shoulder on loaded rounds by removing the decapping stem if its a bushing die. Tight bolt close is how locking lugs get galled. If you must shoot them, grease the lugs every shot.

Good advice ^^^

 

[skipglo]

Well, guess I should try this experiment on factory loaded ammo. Or cases that haven't been through my FL sizer. If it does the same thing then I need to call Remington Warranty if that is even a thing anymore. I could also try a different set of dies. Maybe this used set I got off Gunbroker was sold for a reason...

I had two bad sets of dies in my time....could well be....however as you said..try a factory shells, or empty brass.... eliminate a bunch of guessing... Another thought.....does your die have crimping capabilities.....you may have it down a tad and its compressing your shoulder....and bumping would make it worse....run your fingers up and down at the shoulder and see if you feel a slight bulge...happened to me!