Issue loading .308

[bottlerocket]

So I have been having issues with loading .308 for my Savage 111 (long action) for a while and cant figure it out.

I'm using Hornady New Dimension carbide dies on a Lyman Spar-T press. All of my .308 brass is once or twice fired by me in this rifle only (its my only .308).

The issue is when I put a round in the chamber, the bolt has a VERY tough time locking and unlocking, so much so that I have to use the scope for leverage to open the bolt or close it. It does not do this with factory loads. I also tried putting a sized but not seated case in and it has the same issue. My resize die is all the way flush against the shell holder when the handle is cammed over so there is no room for me to move the shoulder down. The brass is in spec for length too. I'm at a loss here. Obviously its something with the sizer die since it has the issue even without a bullet in the brass, but I cant figure it out. I tried using a sharpie to color the brass and there really is nowhere that is apparent it is rubbing.

[YALE]

Is it crimped properly? Is the bullet too far out of the case? You should never, ever, ever fire a round that loads like this. Also, that's pretty tough on your bolt lugs forcing them closed like that. Believe you me, you'll lose headspace doing that for very long at all.

[bottlerocket]

Is it crimped properly? Is the bullet too far out of the case? You should never, ever, ever fire a round that loads like this. Also, that's pretty tough on your bolt lugs forcing them closed like that. Believe you me, you'll lose headspace doing that for very long at all.

I wasn't crimping it since its a bolt action. Bullet is seated fine

[bottlerocket]

Tried crimping it for grins, no difference in performance. C.O.L. is within limits and appears to be the same as my factory loads in every dimension I can measure with my calipers (accurately)

[YALE]

Then that is fucking weird. Does the brass need to be trimmed?

[bottlerocket]

Then that is fucking weird. Does the brass need to be trimmed?

Nope, still about .009 under max, just over trim length. Yes its way fucking wierd...

[Sleeper]

I'd call Hornady. They are great to deal with.

It has to be the die or its not set up correctly. Have you put the rounds in a headspace gauge?

[GSXRK5]

That's pretty crazy. It could be something with the dies i'd say. But as you said if they're almost exactly identical in every way to factory loads I have no clue. My buddy has a .308 that will only take Winchester white box. If he shoots anything else he has exactly the same problems you're having. Bolt hard to close and open as well as pulling back the bolt to extract the bullet.

[bottlerocket]

I'm starting to think it might be the shell holder being too thick not letting the die go down far enough

[Sleeper]

I'd deff try a Hornady shell holder.

[Dacotua]

So I have been having issues with loading .308 for my Savage 111 (long action) for a while and cant figure it out.

I'm using Hornady New Dimension carbide dies on a Lyman Spar-T press. All of my .308 brass is once or twice fired by me in this rifle only (its my only .308).

The issue is when I put a round in the chamber, the bolt has a VERY tough time locking and unlocking, so much so that I have to use the scope for leverage to open the bolt or close it. It does not do this with factory loads. I also tried putting a sized but not seated case in and it has the same issue. My resize die is all the way flush against the shell holder when the handle is cammed over so there is no room for me to move the shoulder down. The brass is in spec for length too. I'm at a loss here. Obviously its something with the sizer die since it has the issue even without a bullet in the brass, but I cant figure it out. I tried using a sharpie to color the brass and there really is nowhere that is apparent it is rubbing.

Go out and buy the RCBS Small Base Die for the .308 Win.

Some rifles require small base dies for reloading.

[CJ]

Like he said above, a small base sizer die - but those are almost exclusively for semi-auto rifles. I personally do not use any and I only load for semi-autos. Also, it is not that uncommon to have to grind the head on your sizing die to let it come down lower. I had to do this on my Dillon .223 dies, and my Dillon .308 die contacts the shell plate. I'm hoping you have a go/no-go gauge to check your sizing. That is the only way you will know for sure if your sizing die is not adjusted correctly. Your caliper isn't going to do shit for headspace.

[blownaltered]

So I have been having issues with loading .308 for my Savage 111 (long action) for a while and cant figure it out.

I'm using Hornady New Dimension carbide dies on a Lyman Spar-T press. All of my .308 brass is once or twice fired by me in this rifle only (its my only .308).

The issue is when I put a round in the chamber, the bolt has a VERY tough time locking and unlocking, so much so that I have to use the scope for leverage to open the bolt or close it. It does not do this with factory loads. I also tried putting a sized but not seated case in and it has the same issue. My resize die is all the way flush against the shell holder when the handle is cammed over so there is no room for me to move the shoulder down. The brass is in spec for length too. I'm at a loss here. Obviously its something with the sizer die since it has the issue even without a bullet in the brass, but I cant figure it out. I tried using a sharpie to color the brass and there really is nowhere that is apparent it is rubbing.

You ever get your issue solved? I am having the same damn issue right now, I'm going through trying to figure out how to solve the issue. If you did fix it what did you do since I am using the same die and gun you are?

[slowyellow]

You ever get your issue solved? I am having the same damn issue right now, I'm going through trying to figure out how to solve the issue. If you did fix it what did you do since I am using the same die and gun you are?

I'm willing to bet that he took some or all of CJ's advice from the post above yours. It really sounded like an issue with the sizing die to me.

[CJ]

This applies to everyone above... if you do not have an LE Wilson case gauge STOP reloading rifle rounds now, and get one. You can't know what you're doing without one of these gauges. They are essential.