.308 rounds failing to lock

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.308 rounds failing to lock

Post by valkyrie » 04 Apr 2015, 1:08 pm

Gday everyone. Had a bit of trouble on a recent shooting trip with a couple of factory .308 rounds not allowing the bolt to lock on my 700 sf. The gun has only had about 150 rounds through it but it has all been the same type of ammo and I havent had a problem till now. Just wondering if its just dodgy rounds or possibly something else. Its remington factory ammo btw 150 grain softpoints
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Re: .308 rounds failing to lock

Post by wrenchman » 04 Apr 2015, 2:31 pm

see how long the round is and compare it to one that will chamber in the gun
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Re: .308 rounds failing to lock

Post by Chronos » 04 Apr 2015, 4:02 pm

I assume you mean factory rounds?

I had a .223 REMINGTON 700 tgat seemed to have quite a tight chamber, some ammo would chamber while other brands wouldn't.

Try a different brand of ammo if you can and see how it goes.

If by chance you're talking about reloads I can almost bet you're neck sizing and you'll need to use a full length due to push the shoulders back a thou or two.

Hope you get it sorted.

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Re: .308 rounds failing to lock

Post by Rippah » 04 Apr 2015, 5:41 pm

If it's "a couple" out of 150 rounds you probably just got a few where the neck tolerances of the brass were a bit more off than usual.

If you're reloading they'll probably be fine the second time around. I suspect it's nothing to do with your rifle.
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Re: .308 rounds failing to lock

Post by valkyrie » 04 Apr 2015, 5:52 pm

Yeah its only been 2 out of the 150 that have had the issue. I would use a different brand but because of where I live im very limited in ammo choices. The lgs only sells remington factory ammo and only 150 or 180 grain in .308
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Re: .308 rounds failing to lock

Post by Herdsman » 04 Apr 2015, 6:18 pm

Doesn't sound like a big deal but just to be clear was the bolt just stiff to close but you could do it or literally could not close the bolt?
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Re: .308 rounds failing to lock

Post by valkyrie » 05 Apr 2015, 10:17 am

I could push the bolt forward fine but it wouldnt lock down. I didnt put heaps of pressure on it because I didnt want to damage anything but it was fairly well stuck
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Re: .308 rounds failing to lock

Post by The Brass » 05 Apr 2015, 1:09 pm

It happens from time to time.

Remember factory ammunition isn't made to exact, highest precision standards. It's made with tolerances.

Getting an occasional round which won't chamber as easily can be normal. Rifle chambers are made the same, some are a little tighter than others so if a round won't chamber in one rifle but goes in easier in another it doesn't mean there was anything wrong with the first one necessarily.

My rule of thumb is if I can close the bolt with a 'normal' grip I'll fire a stiff round. That is if I can hold the rifle and the bolt with my hands only and close it without having to put my body weight above it on the bench or brace the rifle on the leg or anything like that where it really wants some elbow grease to go in.

If it's firm but still closes without too much difficulty it's good to fire in general.
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Re: .308 rounds failing to lock

Post by valkyrie » 05 Apr 2015, 4:33 pm

Ok I think ill just get rid of the offending rounds. Thanks for all the advice guys
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Re: .308 rounds failing to lock

Post by Triang » 07 Apr 2015, 2:11 pm

A bit stiff is ok but definitely don't force it if it really doesn't want to go.

For the sake of $1 or $2 occasionally why risk it.
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Re: .308 rounds failing to lock

Post by whert » 16 Apr 2015, 1:48 pm

How do you guys dispose of ammo if you can't shoot it?
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