.223 RELOADS not going into battery, then jamming

Feb 2009
246
0
redmond,wa
I have made 1000 .223's and every now and then i am seeing a problem where a bullet that looks ok, wont go into battery, and then that thing is just jammed in there. and its a ***** to get out.

any ideas? i thought it might be not enough crimp so i put a little more on but that doesnt seem to solve the issue.
 
Jan 2009
845
0
Renton, WA
FWIW, this seems to happen more in my AR than Mig's. Mine is a new RRA with the Wylde chamber. Mig's is a standard 5.56 chamber with a some miles on it. Not sure if that matters here, but thought I'd throw it out there. I should also say I have not had this problem with factory ammo.
 
Jan 2009
371
0
Spokane
Hmm bumping the shoulder back? Have you checked the length of the brass on one that jammed?
 
Jan 2009
845
0
Renton, WA
Hmm bumping the shoulder back? Have you checked the length of the brass on one that jammed?

Uh well... it started hailing on us at Stampede Pass mid-session... I had left the offending round on the tailgate of the pickup, but in the scurry to pack up in the hail I lost track of it. I'll definitely hang on to the round next time. Or maybe that's the one I threw at my roommate when I got home? (with a single shot "PEW!" of course)
 
Feb 2009
246
0
redmond,wa
aw well next time ill bring my measuring stick and we will figure it out. of course you prolly shot all the reloads by now so we may be waiting a long time till we find some primers
 
Jan 2009
845
0
Renton, WA
aw well next time ill bring my measuring stick and we will figure it out. of course you prolly shot all the reloads by now so we may be waiting a long time till we find some primers

I think I have three 20 round mags with reloads in em, and that's it. Which is ok I spose as I wanna shoot some factory ammo for a bit to make sure it's nothing wonky with my rifle.
 
Nov 2009
7
0
Salem OR
I try my best to get honest once fired LC brass, I set up my Sizing die with a case sizing gadge (sometimes called a head space gadge, but not to be confused with a headspace go-no gadge) this has been very important to me. after every 100 rounds I do a quality check on 10 rounds for sizing , overall length, primer depth and powder charge weight. after my second reload I trim the brass length.

this has worked real well but it dosn't produce real several hundred rounds in a row realibility. After 3 to four reloads I will usualy have a case seperation per 100-200 rounds. then I throw away the brass. I find a broken shell extractor to be a very handy item.
 
Feb 2009
246
0
redmond,wa
I just made a few more rounds yesterday using a my case gauge, which shows them as perfect. then i loaded them up and one after another had 5 jams. I know its a headspace issue. Im gonna crank that mofo down tonight and see what happens
 
Dec 2009
101
0
Spokane Valley Washington
keep it simple

wow sounds very technical, I take a factory round that works and a reload that dosn't work and compare with the micrometer,, most of the time just comparison with the old eyeballs will answer the question. put a good reload and a factory round in your die box for future reference, I put the shell holders in the box to, keep a notebook, mine is 35 years old hehehehe
 
Feb 2009
246
0
redmond,wa
yeah I just couldnt tell by looking at them side by side. i took some measurements but not enough. anyways good to have you experienced guys showin us rooks how to do it
 
Dec 2009
101
0
Spokane Valley Washington
wish you were closer I have taught a couple people to reload it is really easy, just start small like 20 rounds, try rubbing some case lube into the cases I have seen dry cases with tumbler residue gumming up the chamber and sticking on the way in. the one problem with carbide dies(I still lube, just not as much)
 
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Feb 2009
246
0
redmond,wa
yeah there was definetly some trial and error but I have reloaded about 3000 223's since christmas with nary a hiccup. I tumble my rounds now to get the lube off and it works great!
 
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