Reloading and gun question....

[zac221]

I have a savage 10FCP in .308 with the HS Precision stock. This gun shoots Federal Gold Metal Match round very well and I have a 10 shot group about the size of a half dollar piece, from prone on bipod and squeeze bag.

Well I have found a 168 A-MAX recipe with 46r CFE223 that shoots amazing. The problem is when I lift the bolt, there is a slight click right before the bolt is to be opened; this click is not there after shooting a factory 168 Federal GMM. There also is no difficulty in lifting the bolt, but maybe one in four rounds may have a mark on the headstamp.

I'm seeking some advice and clarification no a few things:

1- Is this clicking a sign of slight over pressure and should I back down a little to see if it goes away?

2- Trim length on .308 is 2.005" when trimming, i'm not able to get all of them exact and was curious if I kept them between 2.003 and 2.007 a total of .002 difference between the suggested trim length would that affect accuracy. (All my rounds are shot with 2.005" brass so thats not a question to the click.


Just some info on this "click" I had it shooting very well at 47.5gr CFE 223, but this click was way more pronounced, the bolt was a littler stiffer, and when I ejected the spent round, it was difficult. A few of these quickly blew out the extractor spring and bearing, which has already been replaced.

[zac221]

Oh on an empty chamber when I lift the bolt, it's the same click when opening it in case anyone has this gun and reloads for it. It does not make that click when I reload after shooting a factory round.

[treestand]

The "one in four" leaving a mark on the headstamp leads me to believe you are on the ragged edge of high pressure. Probably not a safety issue but brass life could be shortened.

A "click" on an empty chamber seems strange. I don't have experience with that particular rifle but maybe someone who does will have an idea.

[dustoffer]

If your propellant charge is within the limits of several loading manuals and using the same powder/primer combo, and you are not loading the rounds so long you are jamming the bullet into the lands, I suspect you don't have a pressure problem. But, to be on the safe side, drop the charge .5 or 1.0 grains, load 3 rounds and see how they react.

[zac221]

According to the hornady book it's below max by 1.2 gr and below hodgdon site by 2.5gr. Velocity is 2766fps plenty fast enough for me so I could afford to back down a little.

[SOLID EAGLE]

Load a few backed down a little and see if it goes away. The trimming should be fine. Are you FL sizing?

[ballisticbudda]

I have a savage 10FCP in .308 with the HS Precision stock. This gun shoots Federal Gold Metal Match round very well and I have a 10 shot group about the size of a half dollar piece, from prone on bipod and squeeze bag.

Well I have found a 168 A-MAX recipe with 46r CFE223 that shoots amazing. The problem is when I lift the bolt, there is a slight click right before the bolt is to be opened; this click is not there after shooting a factory 168 Federal GMM. There also is no difficulty in lifting the bolt, but maybe one in four rounds may have a mark on the headstamp.

I'm seeking some advice and clarification no a few things:

1- Is this clicking a sign of slight over pressure and should I back down a little to see if it goes away?

2- Trim length on .308 is 2.005" when trimming, i'm not able to get all of them exact and was curious if I kept them between 2.003 and 2.007 a total of .002 difference between the suggested trim length would that affect accuracy. (All my rounds are shot with 2.005" brass so thats not a question to the click.


Just some info on this "click" I had it shooting very well at 47.5gr CFE 223, but this click was way more pronounced, the bolt was a littler stiffer, and when I ejected the spent round, it was difficult. A few of these quickly blew out the extractor spring and bearing, which has already been replaced.

Need more information.

What is your overall length?

Resize a case, then insert into chamber, close the bolt. Is there any marks on the case from inserting or extraction?

Which primers are you using?

Post pictures of "one in four rounds may have a mark on the headstamp" cases. Primer set back or flow? Oversized firing pin hole? List is almost endless.

[zac221]

Overall length is 2.805 and they fluctuate between 804 and 807ish. No marks when just chambering a empty brass. Standard cci lrp and no pressure sign on primers. brass is already mixed with my 100's of shot .308 brass.

As far as I can tell the only sign I have is this slight click at top of bolt that is not there in shooting a factory round but is there upon opening a empty chamber and this shot round. This click almost times perfectly with th angled piece that is on a savage bolt when you open and close it.

[zac221]

This is my shot groups (4each) and brass from today. Dirty bore after about 40 (making a total of 52 shots after this group) shots with 15 mins before each group. The top group is 45.5 gr cfe223 and middle group is 45gr and bottom group is 46. The brass is in order of 46 45.5 and 45 gr bolt was easy to open on all of them and they each had that "click". I'm going to go with this is just because the brass may have some minor issues since its once fired from multiple different weapons while at a school.
45.5 measured .512"
46 measure .753
45 measured .8

I zeroed my caliper to bullet at .308 and measured outside to outside on furthest spread which is what gave me the measurements.

Anyone have some other ideas or input on a savage action.

[treestand]

I don't see any high pressure signs on that brass. Does the click occur when you just lift the bolt handle or is it when you start to bring it back? The only things I can think of of is perhaps it's the extractor clicking into place or maybe there is a burr in there someplace that is causing the click. Just thinking out loud.

[zac221]

I think it's the little angled piece on my bolt and it's just resetting. The angle thing is that rotating mechanism at the rear of the bolt that's removeable, most have it I believe. Talked to a friend who suggested using a small base die to see if that helps.

[dustoffer]

Don't think that a small base die would help--I think you've just got sensitive ears and may be picking up a normal sound of the Savage action. One question hasn't been asked or addressed as I recall--have you had a gunsmith check it?

[zac221]

No sir, no gunsmith contacted. It doesn't do it with any factory ammo. I backed it down today to 45.5gr and it didn't do it at all, but still shot great. 1 1/4" at 200 and 1/2" at 100 again so I'll stick to 45.5 and roll on. Thank you all for the help.