hard to chamber a round.

tacticalpanda · 03-10-2013, 04:03 PM

Hi. Having lots of problems lately.

Just got my build complete, Stevens 200 action with Criterion barrel in .308. Took it out today for the first time. I found it really hard to chamber a round. I would go to chamber it and it would get stuck. I would have to use a lot of force to get it to chamber by pushing the bolt handle down.

Anyone know whats causing this and how to fix it?

**jonbearman** · 03-10-2013, 04:10 PM

Head space sounds too tight. Did you use gages or a new case.

tacticalpanda · 03-10-2013, 04:11 PM

I brought it to a gunsmith to headspace Friday. He used gauges.

Kill N Grill · 03-10-2013, 04:37 PM

Factory brass? Hand loads previosly fired?

tacticalpanda · 03-10-2013, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by Kill N Grill

Factory brass? Hand loads previosly fired?

factory brass. Not the best, CBC, only stuff I can find in shops around here. I was hoping it was the ammo. Never fired previously. This was the first time out with it.

Also it is in a mcree precision stock. I remember seeing a youtube video where a guy was having the same problem but with a Rem 700. I don't possibly see how the stock could make it hard to chamber the round, but I am a novice so what do I know.

**scope eye** · 03-10-2013, 04:48 PM

Sounds to me like the bolt that holds the stock is to long, and sticking up into they action, just loosen it a couple turns and see if that fixes it, if it does just trim the bolt.

Dean

tacticalpanda · 03-10-2013, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by scope eye

Sounds to me like the bolt that holds the stock is to long, and sticking up into they action, just loosen it a couple turns and see if that fixes it, if it does just trim the bolt.

Dean

You're talking about the rear bolt correct? I tried that and it is the same. Round chambers but then getting the bolt down needs a lot of force.

Kill N Grill · 03-10-2013, 05:01 PM

try the forward one. If that does not work take the action out of the stock and try to chamber a round. If it wond chamber smoothly take it back to the smith that installed your barrel. He may have used wrong gauges.

tacticalpanda · 03-10-2013, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by Kill N Grill

try the forward one. If that does not work take the action out of the stock and try to chamber a round. If it wond chamber smoothly take it back to the smith that installed your barrel. He may have used wrong gauges.

Ok will give it a try. Thanks!

Kill N Grill · 03-10-2013, 05:06 PM

Take some of the ammo with you to the smith so he will understand your problem.

tacticalpanda · 03-10-2013, 05:08 PM

Well tried both. Still the same. So chances are it wasn't head spaced correctly?

tacticalpanda · 03-10-2013, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by Kill N Grill

Take some of the ammo with you to the smith so he will understand your problem.

Will give him a call tomorrow and see what he says.

**limige** · 03-10-2013, 05:11 PM

Take a black marker and color up the bullet and shoulder of the brass. Once dry try to chamber it and once removed look to see which one shows contact.

Shoulder contact means headspace.
Bullet contact would be a reamer issue for the throat.

Kill N Grill · 03-10-2013, 05:11 PM

Update us after you get the issue resolved. I would say it is a head space prob.

**scope eye** · 03-10-2013, 05:14 PM

Look at the brass closely, if it is that hard to cycle there has to be marks on the brass.

Dean

tacticalpanda · 03-10-2013, 05:31 PM

Ok tried coloring it in. Looks to be a reaming issue. Cycled this bullet a few times. I did notice if I really drive the bolt in it will work just fine. But it has to go in with a lot of force.

So does the chamber have to be reamed?

EDIT: Actually looks like a little shoulder contact as well?

**scope eye** · 03-10-2013, 05:41 PM

Seat the bullet deeper, until you can't see the cannelure and try it again.

Dean

tacticalpanda · 03-10-2013, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by scope eye

Seat the bullet deeper, until you can't see the cannelure and try it again.

Dean

Sorry not sure if I follow 100%. This was factory ammo. So could this be an ammo problem? Really wish I could find some other .308 ammo. It is cheap CBC brazilian ammo. Only stuff available in shops up here.

**scope eye** · 03-10-2013, 05:56 PM

Just doing process of elimination, can you find away to push it in further, actually measure it first and then after.

Dean

stangfish · 03-10-2013, 05:59 PM

What if he does not have a press or seater die?

tacticalpanda · 03-10-2013, 05:59 PM

I don't have a calipers. Can only get a rough estimate. I have a press but no dies.

tacticalpanda · 03-10-2013, 06:02 PM

Also just picked up the round and noticed it was sharp on the bottom. Looks all beat up on the bottom of the round.

tacticalpanda · 03-10-2013, 06:07 PM

And just went through my brass I fired today and the brass I fired through my friends stevens 200 last weekend. The brass from today all have a big piece missing from the rim. You can feel the burr and notice it. The brass I fired from my friends gun last week doesn't have these marks.

**scope eye** · 03-10-2013, 06:12 PM

OK if you have a press perfect, It does not have to be pretty, I am just trying to see if the bullet is seated out to far for that chamber, so rest the cartridge on the ram, and use something to block the threaded hole where the dies go, like a pair of pliers hold them underneath the top like where the decapping pin would be, and just bump the bullet in a little to they amount I mentioned, and then chamber it.

Dean

**scope eye** · 03-10-2013, 06:17 PM

I was typing away when you posted those picks, it looks like the head space is to tight, but try what I asked you anyway, and let us know your findings.

Dean