Author Topic: Troubled Rem 700 243 (Read 635 times)

kenscot · « **on:** December 10, 2005, 11:45:16 AM »

This rifle is giving me fits! At first I could not find a 100gr bullet it would shoot well, had to settle for 85 gr bullets that it will shoot into 1/2" groups.
This I can live but it has another annoying habit that is driving me crazy. I reload and about every 10th round is very difficult to chamber. I full length resize my cases, trim them to proper length. I took 50 once fire cases and resized them and tried chambering them with the same bad results. Then I took 50 new unfired pieces and chambered them without a hitch. Could it be my dies? Any ideas?

lilabner · « **Reply #1 on:** December 10, 2005, 12:10:31 PM »

Some possibilities: you may not be running the loading tool ram all the way to the stop when seating some of your bullets - could be that cartridge overall length is excessive on the rounds that don't go. It might be that you are occasionally short stroking the ram when case sizing. In some rifles, when the magazine is fully loaded there is one round which tends to jam. It is always in the same positon (like # 4 from the top). Hope you figure it out.

kenscot · « **Reply #2 on:** December 10, 2005, 01:13:13 PM »

Nada on all three counts That is why I tried the test with the resized empty cases and the factory new cases I feels like the case rim i having trouble getting under the vextractor as I go to push the handle down

Brithunter · « **Reply #3 on:** December 10, 2005, 10:04:37 PM »

Hi There,

Check the size/ diameter of the extractor groove on those cases :wink: some are oversize. I found this on some 7x57 cases and I have to use a Lee #3 shell holder for them instead of the normal #2.

You rifles bolt face may be that little snug which can actually help wiht accuracy as it removes some of te possible miss-alignment in the chamber.

Check the diameter of the web of the case as well, you might have a tight chamber, also might no be a bad thing. What make cases are they?

.243's are known to be finiky which is why I don't have one

you might try a different make bullet in a heavier weight one with a blunter not so sharp point and you may find they will shoot for you, it's the length which causes the problems. A friend has a .243 Ruger No1B which is like this. 70-85 grn little bug hole groups, 90 grns is under MOA 100 grns is like 10" groups :shock: .

gunnut69 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 11, 2005, 08:58:15 PM »

Ir's a little late but I would check to see if the case heads are still perpendicular to the bore centerline. If the bolt face is NOT square to the chamber firing will force the casehead out of square and resizing likely will not fix it. The fix.. Rebarrel and blueprint the action...

tfaz · « **Reply #5 on:** December 12, 2005, 12:06:11 PM »

I shot a Rem 700 243 in Silhouette Comp. for a few seasons I found the cases tend to grow. have you checked your case length. I used to have to trim my cases (Win) each time I loaded them. I grew up hunting with a pre 64 mod 70 in 243 and we had to trim those cases quite often too

2ndtimer · « **Reply #6 on:** December 12, 2005, 06:26:17 PM »

Are you certain that you are full length sizing the cases? Some sizing dies need to be screwed down an additional 1/4 turn or so after contacting the shell holder to make sure you remove the play from your press. I know the Winchester Short Magnums are very picky about this, and require full length sizing as well as bumping the shoulder of the case back slightly to ensure ease of chambering. Something else to try, at least.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 13, 2005, 02:08:55 PM »

Are the caseheads (fired ones) marked in any way? Could the extractor be gouging the case head.

kenscot · « **Reply #8 on:** December 13, 2005, 03:00:41 PM »

I just looked and noticed some marks on the side of the rim that looked to be caused by the extractor

gunnut69 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 13, 2005, 07:16:28 PM »

I'll vote for a binding extractor. Check for metal shavings, and general crud. I use a dental pick like instrument and a toothbrush with SS bristles. My daughters 700 custom did that. It eventually refused to chamber a round. I took it home and cleaned it and all was well. That was 4-5 years ago and no more problems. It was nearly new then. Is this a new rifle? I noticed this thread on the gunsmith thread(you doubled it but I deleated one of them) but thought I'd answer it here.. I will copy this answer there also.