Brass issue

[delvalle_mj]

I've been having such a hard time with my new rifle barrel. The bolt lift is ridiculously heavy, and to make matters worse, the spent brass keeps getting stuck. I’ve been using brass from my old barrel, but that’s not cutting it at all. At least my new Lapua brass is working fine. I’m thinking I might need to get a Small Base sizing die to sort this out. Does that sound like the right thing to do?

 

[sigHolmes]

I went through something similar when I switched out the barrels on one of my .308 builds. The brass from the old barrel just refused to chamber smoothly in the new one, even after I did a full-length sizing. The bolt lift was a bit stubborn, and I actually had to tap out a couple of spent cases, which was definitely not my idea of a good time. But then I decided to give a Small Base die a shot, and it made a big difference. It sized the brass down just right to fit that tighter chamber, and all of a sudden, everything was running smoothly.

 

[ItsAndreiLee]

It might be a good idea to double-check your loading data and ensure your brass is prepped properly. You’d be amazed at how a small inconsistency can lead to big problems. If you’re still having issues after trying the Small Base die, consider reaching out to a gunsmith or someone experienced with your particular rifle model. They can give you tailored advice and might notice something you missed.

 

[_seabreckus45]

I've been having such a hard time with my new rifle barrel. The bolt lift is ridiculously heavy, and to make matters worse, the spent brass keeps getting stuck. I’ve been using brass from my old barrel, but that’s not cutting it at all. At least my new Lapua brass is working fine. I’m thinking I might need to get a Small Base sizing die to sort this out. Does that sound like the right thing to do?

You could try a small-base die, but I’d really think of it as a backup. The fact that your fresh brass is performing well suggests that your chamber is fine and just has a preference for brass that’s been trued up more consistently. If I were you, I’d tweak the sizing setup first before spending money on anything new.