reloading for the .243

[JUSTinTYME]

I am trying to reload for my .243. I am using 62gr barnes varmint grenades, backed by 32.8 grains of IMR 4064 with cci 250's. My coal is 2.625 and the minimum is 2.62.

I am trying to test it in my rifle and make sure it's going to feed properly....It won't! This was my first time reloading for rifle and I can't figure out what/if I did something wrong. My rifle is a Mossberg trophy hunter.

I did cycle factory rounds through it and they cycled fine. The factory loads are winchester super x power points. They have an overall length of 2.65.

[JUSTinTYME]

Oh and I am using a Lee single stage press with a Hornady 2 die set and I trimmed my cases to 2.035' as it stated in my manuals and on the Hogdon formula I have.

[mehavey]

1. By "feeding" do you mean the bolt successfully closes -- or something else ?
2. Do your resized (but as yet unloaded) cases chamber ?
3. Are you crimping (or not crimping) during the seating step ?

[JUSTinTYME]

1. I mean the bolt grabs the round off of the magazine and feeds into the chamber and the bolt does close behind it.

2. No my resized brass won't chamber from the magazine but if I just drop it on top brass will feed into the chamber and the bolt will close behind it.

3. The only crimping I do is the crimp that is included in the bullet seating step.

[mehavey]

"...test it in my rifle and make sure it's going to feed properly....It won't!

...the bolt grabs the round off out of the magazine and feeds into the chamber and the bolt does close behind it.

As I read them, those two statements are exact opposites.
What is the rifle not doing successfully?

[JUSTinTYME]

I was explaining what my definition of feeding was. The rifle does not feed.

[mehavey]

But if it...

(1) pushes/grabs the cartridge out of the magazine,
(2) feeds it into the receiver, and
(3) the bolt fully closes...

...which of those steps is it not doing correctly ?

[JUSTinTYME]

The rifle does not push the round into the chamber. It will push the round forward but the round goes in at the wrong angle and hangs up causing it not to feed.

[mehavey]

Looking at Barnes data, their recommended 62VG OAL is at least 2.645. Shorter than that appears to adversely affect feeding geometries for that bullet from the magazine in your case.

That bullet is almost an inch long, and Quickload tells me you could seat all the way to 2.71" and still have 0.300" of bullet shank in the neck.
I'd seat further out and see if that fixes the problem.

[JUSTinTYME]

Ok, Thank you and that does make sense. Mind me asking what Quickload is?

[mehavey]

Here's a pretty good writeup
http://www.6mmbr.com/quickload.html

There are many here on the Forum (including me) who would feel naked without it.

[JUSTinTYME]

Ok thanks. I'll go look at that article. Thanks for the suggestion. I'm pretty sure you were right. I now have a col of 2.69-2.70 and it functions fine. All but the last round but that has to be magazine related. It does it with all of my ammo.

[mehavey]

[grisbald]

Mehavey:

Since your a senior member and you mentioned Quickload (which I have), is it ok to post any info I get from it when compared to the range?

[mehavey]

Being "senior" is a function either (a) grey hair, or (b) restless pen ... both of which I have in abundance.

That said, I have no issue with posting QL results -- both before & after -- and always preface any presentation with that fact that things are predicted by QuickLoad, and subject to review using published "official" manuals and powder manufacturers.

QL is theory...
and only chronographs approach fact....
but the agreement between the two has been remarkable over the years