Lee Loader- What am I doing wrong?

[ndfan]

I have a Lee Loader kit for my 30.06. I used cases that were fired from the gun previously.

I followed the directions and kept the case length within the maximum allowed.

When try to put a reloaded round in the chamber it apparently doesn't fiit because I can't close the bolt.

I believe the LEE Loaderkits neck size only. Could this be the cause of my problems.

Also, it doesn't appear the the bullet seats firmly when using the LEELoader.

Any tips advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jim

[victorcharlie]

Somethings not right for sure..........first, I think I'd work with an un-primed dummy until you get this sorted out.  I haven't used a lee loader in years, but the one I had full length resized if the die was driven all the way to the case holder.  

Have you checked over all length?  Is it possible the bullet is seated out to far and is hitting on the rifleing?  You might try smoking a bullet with a candle or such, then try seating it and see where it's hitting.........If the bullet is loose you might try adjusting the expander........

[ndfan]

Somethings not right for sure..........first, I think I'd work with an un-primed dummy until you get this sorted out.  I haven't used a lee loader in years, but the one I had full length resized if the die was driven all the way to the case holder.  

Have you checked over all length?  Is it possible the bullet is seated out to far and is hitting on the rifleing?  You might try smoking a bullet with a candle or such, then try seating it and see where it's hitting.........If the bullet is loose you might try adjusting the expander........

According to the LEE reloading manual, the Classic Loader neck sizes only. thanks for the advice on the "dummy round". I'll give that a try.

[Ranger J]

When you said case length did you mean brass length?  Stretched casings that need trimmed to length have been the most common cause of bolts not closing for me.  You are right that classic loaders do not full length resize.  Even the pistol dies do not size full length which I found out when I used one to reload some 44’s fired in my Handi.  They slid into the Handi easily but would not chamber in my Deerfield.  If you are using brass fired only in your rifle you should have little trouble with it being oversize.  The fact that the bullet seems not to be tight in a reloaded cartridge sounds strange.  I finally changed to a single stage press and have never regretted it.  There is always the chance you have a defective reloader.

[mountainview]

ND, I am having the same problem with my 30-06. I tried neck and full length sizing (LEE dies) and have the same problem unless I keep my OAL under 2.995 inches. I full length sized a Fed case (they are sized slightly differently to work in autoloaders it appears) and then with an unprimed case and bullet (OAL was 3.500 inches) , I closed the bolt until it locked. Took some effort to close the bolt since the bullet was being seated as I closed the action but I discovered that my chamber length is slightly above 2.995 inches. I was surprised in that SAAMI OAL on loaded ammo is 3.340 inches.

I had the gun headspace checked and it was supposed to be within limits. I am now thinking that I may need to have the barrel nut loosened (Savage action) and the barrel moved out a tad to allow me to shoot longer OAL loads (e.g IMR 4350).

On the non-seating issue, I suspect that you are not sizing the case and need to adjust the die down another half turn or so. If you are using the press/die kit, it takes some practice to get the right "feel" when the case is actually being sized. I also use case lube which makes it easier for me to feel when the case is being sized even though it is not required. Another thing you got to watch is that it does take some effort to get the die to work the neck at the tail end of the stroke, here too, lube makes the job easier.

[ricciardelli]

Do not go screwing around with the headspace on your rifle.

If factory rounds fed and fired properly, the headspace is okay.

If you are neck-sizing only, neck-size no more than 1/2 to 2/3 of the neck.

Seat your bullet deeper if the empty cases fit the chamber after sizing.  OAL depends on the profile of the bullet.

[ndfan]

Thanks to everyone for the tips. i'll let you know whatt happens,

I did realize that I was using brass fired out of 2 different guns. I think that the reloads I made were from the other gun and may have contributed to my problem.

[victorcharlie]

Thanks to everyone for the tips. i'll let you know whatt happens,

I did realize that I was using brass fired out of 2 different guns. I think that the reloads I made were from the other gun and may have contributed to my problem.

That would certainly explain the problem your having.

[Slamfire]

Wilson makes a case gauge that you can use to full length resize cartridges fired in some other rifle. You can use your vise to press the case into the gauge, and then push it out with the decapping rod and some washers larger than the case head.  I had the same problem with a Remington 760 and my Dad had the same with his 7600, after several loads neither had enough camming power to seat the cartridge. One trip through the case gauge cures the ills, provided you trim them to the minimum length. I was using a Lee loader and he was using RCBS dies.  

[AZ223]

... You can use your vise to press the case into the gauge, and then push it out with the decapping rod and some washers larger than the case head...  

Good idea, Slamfire; I hadn't thought of using a vice! I load .30-06 in the Lee loaders as well. I have found that others shooters need to use a full-length sizing die every fifth load or so to ensure it'll chamber easily, which means I'll be buying another die sooner or later.

[june6th1944]

I have Lee Loaders in .30-06 Springfield, .30-30 Winchester, 8x57 Mauser, and I just found a 7mm-08 that I picked up.  You should only use virgin brass to load new rounds, or use brass fired from your rifle only.  These Lee Loaders only neck size the brass, which is fine.  It prolongs the brass case life.  Reloading brass shot from your own rifle is particularly important with the .30-30 Winchester if used in a lever-action gun, like my Winchester 94.  I do not use case lube when reloading with a Lee Loader, these are made for tolerances without lube.  If you use lube, correct resizing of the neck may not occur.
 
I just loaded 51.4gr IMR 4064, 150gr Nosler AccuBond, CCI Magnum primers, and once-fired Remington brass and got a group within the size of a quarter at 100 yards.  I used my Lee Loader.
 
I got excellent 1 1/2" groups at 100 yards out of my Winchester 94 with iron sights using 33g IMR 4064, Winchester primers, and Winchester brass.
 
Take your time using the Lee Loader, it is all you need to load accurate ammunition.  Many benchrest shooters only neck size their reloads.
 
My k98 Mauser was not shooting on paper at 100 yards, so I duplicated the original German military specifications (almost) of 154gr spitzer at 2936fps.  I loaded 150g Hornady spitzer to around 2915 and was able to shoot a 2" group at 100 yards, and that with the rifle's 2-stage military trigger.  I loaded this ammunition using my 8mm Mauser Lee Loader.
 
One recommendation: Standardize your loading processes.  You should always check case length and trim as necessary.  I use Lee case length guides and cutter.  Keep cases separated according to manufacturer and number of times fired.  Only load brass shot from your rifle, if using Lee Loaders.  Once fired, the cases are 'fire-formed' to fit your rifle's chamber specifications.  Get a primer loader.  They load primers quickly.  I 'blew' a primer using the Lee Loader rod and primer tray holder.  Luckily, I had ear plugs in b/c I had read this could happen.  I paid $7.00 for a reconditioned Lee Auto Prime directly from Lee Precision, and it works very well.  Anyone who reloads should use one.
 
Good luck with your Lee Loader.
 
P.S. I use the old Lee Loaders to load my own 12 gauge shotgun ammunition for turkey hunting.  They work just fine.  I've got one for 2 3/4" and 3" shells.