Thread: Soft brass. Random sticky bolt

Gidday,

Loaded up some rounds for mates 300wsm.
Norma brass (new)
FED match magnum primers
2209
178 ELDM

Tikka T3X 20” barrel.

61.5 gr start load, up to 63.5gr max at 0.5 increments.

See attached photo of brass at max charge. Primers look bloody good but there’s swipes and ejector pin marks. I wasn’t there at time but he said he was getting sticky bolt on the odd shot before even reaching max charge. For me, it normally happens on the third shot.

I’ve run into this many times with Tikkas and Norma brass. I’ve only seen the max charge brass, need to look at the rest of the loads.

Would be keen to hear everyone’s thoughts and if they’ve run into this before. Could the chamber heating up cause pressure?
Best was the the hottest load that he shot at 63.5 gr book max. He pulled last shot apparently.


63.5gr
2860
2859
2873
S-D 7.4