Buffalo Classic chamber

[Stuart C.]

Hi,
I posted this question in the bpcr section but hopefully it's ok if I ask here too.
 
I'm loading .458 300 gr cast bullets. They expand the case to the point that it hangs up and won't fully chamber. Stops about 1/4" short. Not anywhere near the throat let alone the rifling yet.
 
Anyone else had this happen?  What'd you do? Got some good thoughful suggestions but I didn't think this would even be an issue. What do you think?
 
Thanks!!!
 

[jleem66]

Use a magic marker to color your case. Insert it into the chamber to see where it is touching. How are you smoothing out your flair? That could be your problem. In my BC 38-55 my cast bullets are .380. I use Lee dies. The expander plug wasn't expanding the case enough. When seating the bullet, it would bulge out to one side of the case making the cartridge somewhat crooked and not chamber. I now use a .378 expander plug and Lee FCD to smooth out the flair.
 Jimmy

[petemi]

I had the same problem cast bullets with my .38-55 and the Lee Factory Crimp die fixed that.  I don't have any problem in the .45-70 or .38-55 with jacketed bullets.

Pete

[rsl]

Have you sized your bullets? Sounds like they are too fat.. ha.. 

[gcrank1]

I never believe a label on a pack of cast bullets but measure them myself at several places. Sure sounds like too big a dia. bullet for the case neck thickness of the brass you have. Even a thou' too big can mess you up when you are that close to filling up the chamber.

[Stuart C.]

I'm expanding the case mouth only just a very tiny bit just to hold the base.  Bullets are .458.
 
I can't determine what a nice OAL is because I can't get the bullet close to the lands/grooves - cuz the chamber stops it short.
 
I guess I will start crimping these dummy bullets and see if the crimping itself gets them to fit. But I'll probably make/waste a bunch of dummy rounds to get a decent OAL that is just off the lands.    
 
Thanks all!

[gcrank1]

For starters, drop that bullet into the chamber and see how far it goes, then push it deeper if you can with something like a muzzleloader 'short starter'. you can calc. the seating depth from where the bullet is at the rifling. Of course, if the bullet is too large a dia.and harder than a softish alloy it may not push forward.
Oh, and have you tried chambering up that brass as you prepped it without the bullet in the mouth? If it stops in the same place it may not be a bullet issue.

[bikerbeans]

For starters, drop that bullet into the chamber and see how far it goes, then push it deeper if you can with something like a muzzleloader 'short starter'. you can calc. the seating depth from where the bullet is at the rifling. Of course, if the bullet is too large a dia.and harder than a softish alloy it may not push forward.
Oh, and have you tried chambering up that brass as you prepped it without the bullet in the mouth? If it stops in the same place it may not be a bullet issue.

+1,
 
Handis 45-70s are noted for very short throats, there are lots of bullets that I couldn't load to anywhere near the book OALs, UNTIL, I throated the chamber.  We have a .458 Throating reamer in the Handi GBO rental fleet and it is very easy to use.  You will have to wait a bit on renting it though as it is sitting on my bench and I will not be sending it back to Quick for a couple of days.
 
BB

[Stuart C.]

Thanks everbody very much. Great info. I'm gonna start over with a different bullet. Sized case without bullet drops right in perfect.

[gcrank1]

Good idea; the ojive (that curve of the bullet nose shape) has a big influence in that fit. Different manufacturers/moulds can have just enough of an ojive change to fit fine, even with longer/heavier designs.