New McGowen 260 AI, bolt not closing

**foxx** · 12-26-2013, 04:29 PM

Hi all, and Merry Christmas.

I just installed a new barrel, 260 AI and head-spaced with go, no-go gauges. All seemed well.

I cannot close the bolt on loaded or empty 260 cases. FL sized or not.

What gives?

**BoilerUP** · 12-26-2013, 05:34 PM

Headspaced with 260AI gauges, or 260 gauges?

**foxx** · 12-26-2013, 05:42 PM

Re: Stang's post:

Huh?

I do not have a case headspace measuring tool. Is there a "Plan B"?

**foxx** · 12-26-2013, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by BoilerUP

Headspaced with 260AI gauges, or 260 gauges?

260AI gauges.

260 cartridge and brass

**BoilerUP** · 12-26-2013, 05:44 PM

Are the 260 cases virgin, or have they been fired?

Trimmed to length?

My 223AI Criterion would NOT close on Lapua 223 brass that was 2x fired, no matter how far I bumped the shoulder or trimmed it back. Virgin Lapua, on the other hand, works like buttah.

**foxx** · 12-26-2013, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by BoilerUP

Are the 260 cases virgin, or have they been fired?

Trimmed to length?

My 223AI Criterion would NOT close on Lapua 223 brass that was 2x fired, no matter how far I bumped the shoulder or trimmed it back. Virgin Lapua, on the other hand, works like buttah.

Lapua brass. 2x fired. Trimmed.

**foxx** · 12-26-2013, 05:56 PM

So is that just a sign of a tight chamber?

**foxx** · 12-26-2013, 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by stangfish

Plan B. Sell your barrel and buy something with a standard chambering or get some tools to inspect cases. When you deviate from the standards the cost of troubleshooting goes up. Consider it paying for an education.

Stang, you sound perturbed with me.

**Stockrex** · 12-26-2013, 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by foxx

Stang, you sound perturbed with me.

MonsieurStang is just being honest without much sugar coating.
In order to help your case you have to eliminate the obvious issues, but what MonsieurStang is saying that one must possess few tools to decipher the issues else you are wasting your time.

Also, PLEASE load some dummy cases and test with them. Salut!

**Dennis** · 12-26-2013, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by foxx

So is that just a sign of a tight chamber?

foxx,

I don't show any records of selling you a barrel, but I am more than willing to help you.

Just give me a call. 855 991-0990

Dennis

PS: McGowen only uses match grade reamers and they are tight.

thomae · 12-26-2013, 06:24 PM

Did you install a scope rail? If the front screws are too long, it will cause the same symptoms. Don't know if this is your issue, but it IS a possible cause that you can easily eliminate.

**Dennis** · 12-26-2013, 06:27 PM

foxx,

Thanks for giving me a call.

Hopefully our conversation will get you going.

Just send us some pictures of the .250 groups.

Dennis

**foxx** · 12-26-2013, 06:42 PM

No worries, guys. I understand Stang's point. He knows I am wandering into new territory here, and I will get those gauges. Never saw a need for them before.

I apologize to Dennis and McGowen if I seemed to be criticizing their product. I am NOT AT ALL! I just don't have enough experience to know whether I am doing this right. This is my first barrel swap. If there is a headspace problem, I am sure the FIRST place I gotta start looking is at the headspace between my ears!

I called Dennis, as he asked. He stressed the chambers are tight, as indeed they should be.

I double-checked to make absolutely certain that I was using FL sized brass. I am. My next step right now will be to try virgin brass. That will take a while 'cuz I did not know to ask Santa for it. :)

**Dennis** · 12-26-2013, 07:00 PM

foxx,

Thanks, and in no way I considered your post "criticizing".

I knew there had to be a simple solution.

Just make sure you lube the 2x fired brass well before FL sizing. Hopefully you have some sizing wax as I feel it's the best.

As stated, feel free to give me a call anytime.

Dennis

**foxx** · 12-26-2013, 07:03 PM

Originally Posted by Dennis

foxx,

Thanks, and in no way I considered your post "criticizing".

I knew there had to be a simple solution.

Just make sure you lube the 2x fired brass well before FL sizing. Hopefully you have some sizing wax as I feel it's the best.

As stated, feel free to give me a call anytime.

Dennis

What do you mean "lube"?

**foxx** · 12-26-2013, 07:03 PM

Just kidding!!!!

**foxx** · 12-26-2013, 07:36 PM

Boiler got it, and Dennis suspected the same...

I do not have any virgin brass, but my 1x fired Lapua will re-size and chamber ok, though they are real tight. Some really need to be slammed to remove after closing the bolt. The 2-3x fired brass will not chamber, whether I FL using RCBS FL dies or not.

Thanks, all.

**sharpshooter** · 12-26-2013, 08:29 PM

Fred's rule of thumb.....new barrel, new brass.

**foxx** · 12-26-2013, 10:09 PM

Thanks, Stang.

It's cool of you to offer to do that for me. And I would definitely like take you up on it, but I have other plans for the 260 brass now.

Now that I know what is going on, I am going to order new brass for the .260AI and keep the old brass "as is" for the original .260 barrel. (That barrel will go on another action I am planning to rebarrel and restock for a friend.)

Yep. That was cool.
Thanks, again. :)

Westcliffe01 · 12-28-2013, 08:41 PM

Anneal the brass, then FL size again. Lapua is good hard stuff, but that wil not help you when it has been fireformed 2x in a different barrel/chamber. Also since it is such good brass, annealing is a good investment to allow you to use it.

**foxx** · 12-29-2013, 02:10 AM

Thanks, West. I considered doing just as you said. However, because I still have use for my old barrel on another action, I think I will just save the old stuff for the original barrel and get some new Lapua 260 for this 260AI.

SO eager to get out and fire it, though!

**foxx** · 01-14-2014, 11:19 PM

Update:

Got new 260 Lapua brass. Fire-formed over the weekend and it chambers and cycles just fine. It is tight. Hope to get some loads worked up next week.

Thanks, again, guys.