Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 257 Weatherby Belt Diameter Too Large.

I picked up a pile of 257 Wby brass and on much of it the belt is too large to drop in the chamber. This is not a bulge ahead of the belt, but, the belt itself. It is about .005" too large and will not chamber as a result.

Has anyone run into this before? Throw it away or attempt to turn the belt down so it will chamber?

Thoughts?

Is this new or used brass?

How much removal are you talking about? Have you tried hand sanding a belt to see if it is the only issue?

If you have access to a lathe with a collet attachment it would be easy to reduce the diameter without affecting anything. I once removed the belt from 50 rounds for a friend's custom chambered 1000 BR rifle.

If you don't have a lathe maybe you could using a case trimmer chuck. Then take the chuck (if it would fit) and put it in a power drill. You could file or sand the belt enough to fit.

I sure wouldn't dump the brass yet.

Just curious...you checked it against a cartridge diagram?

I have a case gauge, that's what I used for sizing.

I chucked it into a battery drill (gently) and ran a fine file against the belt. Most were only .002"-.003" too large so it only took a few seconds. They drop right into the gauge now.

This was gunshow-purchased Weatherby brass. It's very strange. I may section one to see if there's anything going on inside.

Now if you took just a hair too much off that belt what is that case going to headspace against?

Just the outer surface was touched. The sharp ridge that is the belt is unaffected and it sits in there just fine. I was careful to not round off the belt. Also, I took off only .002" or so leaving plenty of belt.