Author Topic: 308 Survivor FTE (Read 810 times)

menotomyhunter · « **on:** May 25, 2006, 05:51:28 PM »

If I use LC or FA Match brass for handloads, I get a "failure to eject", FTE, about every third or fourth shot. Loads have been worked up from starting loads and are in the low-to-middle range per Speer #13. Rounds are flush with the breech face. Have been full-length resizing with Redding dies. Ejector seems to stick! Gun has about 250 rounds through it. Stuck rounds tap out easily with a cleaning rod. Problem does not occur with Winchester commercial brass. No FTEs with full up LC or FA Match loads. I am loading 150gr Remington CoreLokt PSPs with IMR 4064, Varget and AA2520.

As a side question, does anyone know a gunsmith that does a Handi trigger job? I'm skiddish about trying it myself!

David
W1WBZ

statelinerut · « **Reply #1 on:** May 25, 2006, 06:03:13 PM »

http://www.precisionrifleworks.net/

This guy is supposed to be one of the best when it comes to NEF work.

cheatermk3 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 26, 2006, 02:44:48 AM »

Military brass has on average 10% less powder volume compared to sporting cases, (for the same cartridge of course), so you need to factor that into the equation when assembling ammo using mil. cases.

Your "mid-range" loads out of the Speer book are probably, in reality, pretty hot.

When the manual lists components, ANY deviation is reason to reduce the powder charge an additional 10% below the start charge.

Unless you have access to pressure testing equipment, or a chronograph, you're just guessing.

menotomyhunter · « **Reply #3 on:** May 26, 2006, 06:04:03 AM »

I may have found the source of my FTE problem. I unloaded a random selection of LC, FA and Winchester handloads and measured the case overall lengths. I found several FA cases that were too long by as much as .015 inches, i.e., case overall lengths were 2.030 inches. This suggests that I failed to trim their length after full length resizing, maybe even more than once. As a result, I believe that the cases were being "jammed" into the chamber with sufficient force that the ejector could not generate enough force to extract/eject. The LC and Winchester cases were 2.010 - 2.015 inches typically.
After 36 years of reloading, another lesson learned about the importance of case trimming! Also I will neck-size for the 308 Survivor in the future. Further, I will apply the practice I use for my bolt guns. Specifically, when neck sizing, I remove the expander ball from the neck die. I find that this gives me more uniform bullet grip.

Cheers!

Wlscott · « **Reply #4 on:** May 27, 2006, 05:03:55 AM »

Did you ever find anyone to do a trigger job for you?

menotomyhunter · « **Reply #5 on:** May 27, 2006, 06:13:14 AM »

Wiscott,

Lee Shaver quotes $35 - 50, lshaver@egunsmith.com, and the posting above for precisionrifleworks.net but no $ quote back yet.

Regards

Wlscott · « **Reply #6 on:** May 27, 2006, 06:04:52 PM »

I was just going to say, I'd do it for you for $40 if you haven't found anyone. I've done several.