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SMLE not chambering rounds
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2015 8:27 am
by happyal
Hello, I hope someone can help me.
I recently purchased a 1918 SMLE that is in great condition
I have bought some H&N Sport 303 heads, and I have made some test rounds. The below picture, the one of the left is the H&N Sport round, the one on the right is a PPU head.
My problem is that the H&N Sport headed rounds will not chamber, they will go into the chamber but not all the way. By about half an inch. The ones made with PPU head go in no problem. I have used the same case preparation with both loads, and an empty case will go into the chamber fine.
Does anyone have any ideas? Is there anything I can do to fix this?
Re: SMLE not chambering rounds
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2015 8:29 am
by dromia
"H&N Sport headed rounds" "PPU head" what does all that mean?
Re: SMLE not chambering rounds
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2015 8:35 am
by happyal
dromia wrote:"H&N Sport headed rounds" "PPU head" what does all that mean?
Hello,
H&N Sport heads are the rounded ones in the picture I posted, the PPU heads are the pointed bullets I posted above.
Re: SMLE not chambering rounds
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2015 8:41 am
by DOGGER2UK
You'r about to get your head bitten off.........
Re: SMLE not chambering rounds
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2015 8:41 am
by dromia
So you mean bullets, the head is at the other end and is the part of the case where the rim is and the primer goes.
Re: SMLE not chambering rounds
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2015 8:42 am
by happyal
Sorry, Yes, I mean bullets.
Re: SMLE not chambering rounds
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2015 8:51 am
by 25Pdr
You appear to be producing a downloaded round.
You need to seat the bullet lower.
How low? Depends on the charge you are using.
The H&N Website doesn't appear to offer any reloading data.
http://www.hn-sport.de/en/products/bull ... s/303.html
You need to find loading data that includes 'Cartridge overall length'
I'm sure Dromia will advise much better than I can. razz
He will probably tell you to use cast Boolits.
Re: SMLE not chambering rounds
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2015 8:56 am
by happyal
Thank you for your help,
H&N Sport do have info hidden on there site,
http://www.hn-sport.de/en/products/bull ... ading.html
They say the overall length should be 73.8mm which is approx 2.90 inches.
That seems short to me, does that sound OK to people here?
Re: SMLE not chambering rounds
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2015 9:25 am
by Gazoo
Still, apart from not knowing your head from your bullet...very nice Smellie.
Re: SMLE not chambering rounds
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2015 9:34 am
by zanes
happyal wrote:Thank you for your help,
H&N Sport do have info hidden on there site,
http://www.hn-sport.de/en/products/bull ... ading.html
They say the overall length should be 73.8mm which is approx 2.90 inches.
That seems short to me, does that sound OK to people here?
That's a good data list for the H&N hi-speed bullets, thanks :)
I'd follow their data. As ever, work up to it if you are unsure.