Ruger 338 Win Mag

Jeremiah Johnson · August 10, 2008, 07:46 PM

Need some help guys.
I have a brand new Ruger 338 Win Mag., my new Elk Gun
The factory ammo is so expensive it is ridiculous so I decided to just load my own as I do for my 7mm Mag.
I bought a bunch of nickle once used brass for it and loaded about 50 rounds.
The bolt won't close on some of the rounds and I cannot figure out why.
I even bought a special die to size belted magnums and that did not handle it either. I am concerened about shooting it for the first time.
Any advice? I figured I would just buy a box of factory ammo and try it but would love to just figure this out without having to do that.

Ruger4570 · August 10, 2008, 09:07 PM

I am not sure, but you say it was once fired brass. It is very possible/probable that the shells were fired in a gun with a longer bolt to shoulder length than yours. You may or may not be able to size them down to fit depending on the dies. I also have to wonder why SOME will chamber and others won't. Again possibly the cases came from several rifles and not just one gun.
Cases are not all that expensive anyways, I would pull the bullets on the ones that won't fit and salvage the components. One last thought, are all the bullets seated to the exact same depth? Hope this is helpful.

Jeremiah Johnson · August 11, 2008, 12:58 AM

That is good advice, I will pull the bullets on the ones that don't work and save the components and toss the cases. The bullets are all seated the same.

Scorch · August 11, 2008, 01:45 PM

Before just tossing the rounds, try to find out why they don't fit your chamber properly. It could very well be that the cases were fired in an oversized chamber, but you could have bulged necks due to overcrimping, the case mouth could be running into the end of the chamber, or the bullets could be hitting the rifling.

Harry Bonar · August 14, 2008, 09:16 AM

Sir;
Listen to Scorch!
Harry B.

August 10, 2008, 07:46 PM	#1
Jeremiah Johnson Junior Member Join Date: August 10, 2008 Location: CA Posts: 7	Ruger 338 Win Mag Need some help guys. I have a brand new Ruger 338 Win Mag., my new Elk Gun The factory ammo is so expensive it is ridiculous so I decided to just load my own as I do for my 7mm Mag. I bought a bunch of nickle once used brass for it and loaded about 50 rounds. The bolt won't close on some of the rounds and I cannot figure out why. I even bought a special die to size belted magnums and that did not handle it either. I am concerened about shooting it for the first time. Any advice? I figured I would just buy a box of factory ammo and try it but would love to just figure this out without having to do that.

August 11, 2008, 12:58 AM	#3
Jeremiah Johnson Junior Member Join Date: August 10, 2008 Location: CA Posts: 7	Thanks Ruger4570 That is good advice, I will pull the bullets on the ones that don't work and save the components and toss the cases. The bullets are all seated the same.

August 11, 2008, 01:45 PM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Before just tossing the rounds, try to find out why they don't fit your chamber properly. It could very well be that the cases were fired in an oversized chamber, but you could have bulged necks due to overcrimping, the case mouth could be running into the end of the chamber, or the bullets could be hitting the rifling. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

August 14, 2008, 09:16 AM	#5
Harry Bonar Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: In the Vincent, Ohio general area. Posts: 1,804	338 Sir; Listen to Scorch! Harry B.

August 10, 2008, 09:07 PM	#2
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	I am not sure, but you say it was once fired brass. It is very possible/probable that the shells were fired in a gun with a longer bolt to shoulder length than yours. You may or may not be able to size them down to fit depending on the dies. I also have to wonder why SOME will chamber and others won't. Again possibly the cases came from several rifles and not just one gun. Cases are not all that expensive anyways, I would pull the bullets on the ones that won't fit and salvage the components. One last thought, are all the bullets seated to the exact same depth? Hope this is helpful.