ChazyKEJ

All,

I just started reloading and have been extremelypleased at how tight my groups have become. I have run into my firstproblem and would like some insight.

I have 2 separate .22-250 rifles. One is an Encore, the other a Ruger Mk II 77VT. I had a bunch of brass that was originally shot in the encore. I full length resized it all and started loading up some rounds. The problem is that the Ruger will feed the rounds just fine into the chamber, but when you go to close the bolt there is strong resistance and you would really have to slam the bolt down to get it to close. I wasn't comfortable even trying to fire these rounds. So, is it a big no-no to try to shoot single shot brass in a bolt action or brass interchangeably from 2 separate rifles for that matter? Should I just isolate all brass from now on? Is it possible that the base of the brass stretched non symetrical in my Encore? Worst case I will order all new brass and chuck out what I have. Any comments would be appreciated.

P.S. I just have to say this reloading is very rewarding so far. I have a .243 that was shooting 1.5 to 5" groups with factory ammo. I have found a load that shoots consistent .55 " groups. How great is that. I can't wait to start experimenting with my .270.

Regards,

KEJ

rem250

I would say you didn't get it full lenght resized or case lenght is to long for the ruger, just keep that brass for the encore and buy new for theruger.

tip
keep brass separate and try not to full lenght resize, just neck size, the brass will last longer and most of the time accuracy will increase.

the best way of keeping brass separte is to use different brands

James B

The 22-250 is bad for growing cases. I would check the length real close before giving up on the brass. Technically if the brass is full length resized, it should work in either rifle. If you plan on shooting this caliber a lot it would pay to look into converting it to 22-250 AI. The steeper shoulder helps prevent case stretching it also usually gives another 100-200 fps. You still use the same brass.

Pawildman

I agree with all that has been said so far as possible reasons for your problem. One additional possibility is OAL. Have you checked the distance to the lands for your loaded shells in the Encore vs. the Ruger? It could be possible that if you have seated the bullet to where the Encore likes it, you may be up against the lands in the Ruger. This would cause the bolt to be hard to close, and could cause a dangerous pressure situation. Chances are that if the shells will magazine feed properly in the Ruger this is not the case, but it is worth checking anyhow.
James is right about case length, also check carefully.

ChazyKEJ

Guys,

Thanks for the input so far. I measure every single case and finished bullet with a caliper, so I'm pretty sure it isn't case length, but i'm not entirely sure I am getting a complete case resizing. I have found the empty resized cases jam in the Rugerwithout a bullet seated. My brother gave me an RCBS 4X4 reloading press which has a shell plate instead of the shell holder. I wonder if the plate is sticking up higher than it would compared to a standard shell holder? Per instructions, the die comes in contact with the shell plate at full downstroke. Perhaps I have the wrong plate on, though the 22-250 shell seems to fit in perfect.Maybe the plate is upside down? I don't think I'm hitting the lands since I reloaded these to the samelength as the factory rounds and have fired over 40 reloaded rounds made to these same measured specs. I'm curious as to what actually happens to the case when the bolt is turned down. Does the case actually turn with the bolt?

Thanks for the discussion. I appreciate it

KEJ

James B

The cartridge usually turn with the bolt but not always.

HEAD0001

There is one thing not mentioned yet. On your Encore there is a gap between your barrel and breechface. This distance is usually betwee .001 to .005. Therefore your Fired Encore brass will be longer, even if both chambers were exactly the same(which is normally not true). Put a little smoke or talcum on your shoulder then chamber in both rifles. I will bet your shoulder on the Ruger will be marked. And the shoulder on your Encore will not be marked. Mixing Encore fired brass with any other type rifle or action is not recommended. Try the Forster full length die. It can be adjusted to bump the shoulder, and can also be adjusted to headspace .001 to .002 off the breechface(not the end of the barrel). You will need a set of feeler gauges($5 item)to determine the gapbetween your barrel and breech face. Tom.

stubblejumper

All rifles are built with headspace.In the case of the encore,the gap is part of the headspace,so the fired brass from the encore will not necessarily be longer.

HEAD0001

All rifles are built with headspace??-What does that mean?? Are you saying all rifle's have a gap?? How large of a gap?? Not IMO.

I try to size my brass so there is little to no gap between the shoulder and the chambering. Definitely no more than .001 to .002. This space is one of the reason's a Savage rifle shoots so well. Normally what a gunsmith can do is chamber a case in a Savage rifle, turn the barrel in until the chamber touches the shoulder(until the bolt is tight), then tighten the barrel nut-this normally backs the barrel off .001 to .002. That is why it is easy to switch barrels on a Savage.

Sorry but you are wrong about that. The brass on almost all encore's when fired is longer than brass fired in most bolt actions. This is due to the gap in most all Encore's between the end of the barrel and the breech face. This is in addition to the cut chambering. This difference does not exist in a bolt action. Do not take my word for it(as I am sure you will not), ask the experts. Bellm, or EABCO, or MGM-these guy's will explain the same thing to you. This gap is why it is hard to get the headspace right, and the sizing of your brass right unless you know the actual gap(again, you do not have this problem with bolt's). Tom.

stubblejumper

If you don't know what headspace is,you have lot to learn about rifles and how they are chambered.You might want to do some research online before posting more statements such as the ones I quoted above.