358 Win/BLR problems

[Drew25]

Hi All...I must've gotten lucky on the first batch of 358s I loaded for the old BLR...I loaded Speer 225-gr. SPBT, and they fed fine...now, nothing works...even the hammer won't cock.  The loads just won't feed...sometimes, they won't 'eject!  anyway, I'll scrap this bunch, but, any clues ?  I followed a load I got from Loadswap, but I think he was shooting a bolt action...how do i know what dimensions the BLR needs?  

thanks much,
Drew

PS: I love the load, by the way...its accurate, and pretty stout.  ~1" groups (with that first bunch) from a lever, IMO, is pretty darn decent (100yds)

[Lloyd Smale]

you are probably going to need a set of small base dies.

[Graycg]

Are you full length resizing?  If you aren't then you need to.  If you are, then you may need small based dies, but first let's answer the full length resizing question.

I have a 358 BLR and it is extremely accurate, but I need to full length resize, trim to proper length and keep overall length in check to make my rifle feed properly.

regards and let me know what you've got.

regards,
 Graycg

[Blackhawk44]

Darken the case shoulder (smoke or black marker) and full length size carefully to fit the chamber.  Size and try as you go.  Have not found a need for small base dies on the three BLR's I load for.  You may not get 10-15 loads out of a case, but 5-6 is plenty as cheap as brass is today.  Have never had a case separation, but it pays to watch.   All of mine seem to have chambers cut closer to minimum.  Also, careful trimming should not be overlooked.

[Drew25]

Thanks for the help...I still have two questions...1) what is a small base die?, and 2) could you elaborate a little more on the resizing methods?  Esp. the parts about darkening the shoulder, etc...

Happy New Year, All...

Drw