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10/20/2025 3:31:25 PM EDT
[Last Edit: BruceLeroy][Edited]
I put a Rexus barrel on my upper and now every few rounds will chamber, and bolt locks, but wont fire and I cant extract it without using the battery method.
Bought a new bolt from Faxon, same thing.
Replaced charging handle, same thing.
It feels as though the chamber might be a bit tight so I resized some brass with a little more depth on the sizing die (half turn past shell holder contact, previously 1/4 turn), same thing.

Im going crazy here...

ETA: I have reached out to Rexus. No reply yet and nobody answers their phones. Hope I dont get screwed here...If I do I'm buying a Craddock RTR Barrel

.....

UPDATE! As suggested by one of you I went and grabbed a box of factory ammo. My headspace was off by almost exactly 5 thousandths compared to Hornady Match ammo. This was enough to keep it from chambering correctly obviously. I made adjustments to my die and tested 5 dummy rounds successfully. I will be testing at the range tomorrow with properly sized ammo.
10/20/2025 3:35:28 PM EDT
[#1]
Have you tried proven factory ammo?  I reload, and I have been humbled by that.
If life was easy nobody would quit.
10/20/2025 3:41:34 PM EDT
[#2]
I have not. I am not above that for sure. It just baffles me as I have reloaded for 18 years and this is the first issue. I am sized to SAAMI spec, trimmed to spec, everything in line...
10/20/2025 3:50:16 PM EDT
[#3]
I know, and it’s a new chamber.  Probably a touch tight and a spec reload SHOULD fit.  Sometimes they don’t.
You sure the shoulder isn’t getting pushed back a touch much?
If life was easy nobody would quit.
10/20/2025 4:26:35 PM EDT
[#4]
Do you have a case gauge to verify the reloads are within factory specs?
10/20/2025 6:30:06 PM EDT
[#5]
I do not. I just posted an update to the OP. I was wrong and a case guage would have solved this from the start... Thank you to everyone that added input.
10/20/2025 6:33:45 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote History
Originally Posted By DVCER:
Have you tried proven factory ammo?  I reload, and I have been humbled by that.
View Quote


I updated to OP. I was off on my shoulders by almost 5 thousandths. Thank you for suggesting the ammo. I directly compared it and saw my error. You saved me a lot of time.
10/20/2025 6:34:33 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Moondog:
Do you have a case gauge to verify the reloads are within factory specs?
View Quote

I will now always include this process when starting a new cartridge. This was frustrating. I am literally sitting on 3 barrels...lesson learned.
10/20/2025 7:01:39 PM EDT
[#8]
Love a happy ending.  Had the same with .308 ARs.  Handloads that were flawless in one would bind up a new one.
Broke down and bought some factory ammo.  It only takes a few thousand the wrong way.
If life was easy nobody would quit.
10/26/2025 5:31:32 PM EDT
[#9]
Originally Posted By BruceLeroy:
I put a Rexus barrel on my upper and now every few rounds will chamber, and bolt locks, but wont fire and I cant extract it without using the battery method.
Bought a new bolt from Faxon, same thing.
Replaced charging handle, same thing.
It feels as though the chamber might be a bit tight so I resized some brass with a little more depth on the sizing die (half turn past shell holder contact, previously 1/4 turn), same thing.

Im going crazy here...

ETA: I have reached out to Rexus. No reply yet and nobody answers their phones. Hope I dont get screwed here...If I do I'm buying a Craddock RTR Barrel

.....

UPDATE! As suggested by one of you I went and grabbed a box of factory ammo. My headspace was off by almost exactly 5 thousandths compared to Hornady Match ammo. This was enough to keep it from chambering correctly obviously. I made adjustments to my die and tested 5 dummy rounds successfully. I will be testing at the range tomorrow with properly sized ammo.
View Quote


This goes out to anyone that reloads .223 or 5.56.....

Go buy a case gauge tool for ALL calibers you reload.

It's a SAAMI chamber block tool you drop the cartridge into.
It goes in easy and the end sits flush.....it's good.
If it gets stuck and sits outside the end of the tool....resize and check again.
They are fairly cheap, and come in a variety of styles and calibers.

Example.....

Occid Vel Occisus Est !!

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