dies

rdwllce · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 10:37 pm Post subject: dies

I have a bullberry barrel with a minimum spec chamber.my once fired brass will not fit the chamber after full length sizing with rcbs dies.are competition dies tighter to spec or do I need to keep running them through a 3006 die with the decapper removed to get the walls knocked back in enough.Any help would be appreciated Rick Bang Head

jeh7mmmag · Member Joined: Dec 24, 2006 Posts: 223 Location: DFW, TX.

Your press may be springing under stress and not fully resizing brass. Double check your die setting and make sure you turn down additional 1/8, 1/4, 1/3, turn after you contact shell holder. Feel the press cam over. Then brass should chamber easily - Try chambering before you load round.
Might also try some SB dies if you have some.

As a last resort you might have remove some metal from top of shell holder to force brass further into dies.
Also contact RCBS on 1-800 for tech support.
GL

chambered221 · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 5:04 am Post subject: Re: dies

Yes it is very possible you may need a set of small base dies, but I’d do some measuring first !!!

I doubt the walls are your problem. Take a fired case and a resized case. Using your dial calipers or micrometer take measurements where the shoulder meets the body and about halve way down the case body. Compare your findings. Your resized case will probably be minus .008 - .012 in difference.
Shrinking the body causes the brass to flow upward in the die. (least path of resistance ) This upward flow will increase your head space. You need to take it back down by lowering the die more. Having a headspace gauge is very helpful with this, especially if you only want a thousandth or two set back.
You can also use your gun as the gauge. Turn your die down a 1/8 turn at a time and check it in the gun. Be sure to wipe clean any lube before chambering. Lube can give you a false reading.
After you get the die set, do another 6 -12 cases and check in the gun. This will (hopefully) let you know if spring-back is a issue.

If you find more adjustment is necessary, milling down the shell holder is one alterative. Another would be to buy a set of Redding shell holders that come in different thicknesses.

chambered221 · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 9:39 am Post subject: Re: dies

Just thought of another possible issue !!!

If your not getting enough lube inside the case neck, it’s possible your ball expander is pulling the shoulder back out affecting the head-space.

Ask how I know this !!! On second thought please don’t !!!

lesterg3 · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 11:44 am Post subject: Re: dies

rdwllce,

Just out of curiosity, does your once fired brass fit back in the chamber before you re-size it? Confused

Second question, if it does fit then why nor just size the neck? Smile

I am still new at this, and frankly I get worried a lot when I ask question and get so many diverse answers Confused

, but as I understand it fireforming brass in the gun you are reloading for is the best brass. Trimming for length and even turning the OD of the neck concentrically with the ID sounds good to me, but the only time I've heard about somebody resizing the whole cartridge is if it was fired in another rifle.

If I am incorrect please let me know. Embarassed

rdwllce · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 6:28 pm Post subject: Re: dies

No sir my brass will not go back into the chamber, but I will make sure i get enough lube in the case neck. I will check that tonight. Thank you

rdwllce · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 6:42 pm Post subject: Re: dies

Mr Chambered 221 you win the cigar, I use hornady 1 shot spray lube and try to not overlube and I havent been getting enough in the neck , Thank you Good Sir!!!!

chambered221 · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 7:38 pm Post subject: Re: dies

A-Fuentes Churchill in a 48 ring size will do !!! Oh Yea I’ll also need some Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon to go with that !!! Very Happy

chambered221 · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 7:57 pm Post subject: Re: dies

Les, Neck sizing is a option but there are pros and cons with it.

In a AR you could have feed problems by neck sizing.
If you neck size eventually you’ll still need to full length resize. After so many firings a bolt gun can become difficult to open and close. A option to this is to keep your pressure down enough to keep the brass from over expanding in your chamber. By doing this you give up velocity.

Most guys set their dies to do a partial full length resize. Doing this only sets your shoulder back a couple of thousandths.

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:06 am Post subject: Re: dies

Rdw, I use the Hornady One Shot lube too. To apply I lay the cases on a paper plate, all pointed the same direction. With the mouths pointed toward me I spray them all once, shake the plate around some to roll them over and then spray again. By keeping the case mouth toward me I'm sure to get some lube in there. I also spray a shot of lube into the die before starting.

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:27 am Post subject: Re: dies

Les, neck sizing only can contribute toward accuracy but will also reduce reliabilty of function. I usually just full length resize but sometimes I "partially resize", especially .45 Colt revolver.

rdwllce · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:37 pm Post subject: Re: dies

I would like to thank ya'll one more time, I was getting to feel stupid.I tried backing my die back to take the excess headspace out of the chamber and the only way it fits is to bump the shell holder.So at least the gun will close now. Thanks again

Vince · Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 2:58 am Post subject: Re: dies

rdwllce....never feel stupid mate. As I was always taught...."The only stupid question is the one you don't ask".

The guys in here are more than happy to spread their knowledge and experience...and assist a fellow hunter/shooter/reloader with a problem. But you already knew that didn't ya mate. Very Happy

Cheers, Vince

Dawgdad · Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 5:41 am Post subject: Re: dies

chambered221 wrote:

A-Fuentes Churchill in a 48 ring size will do !!! Oh Yea I’ll also need some Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon to go with that !!! Very Happy

A man after my own heart! For a special treat try a La Flor Domincano Double Ligero Chisel point.

Here is a description from ecigar depot...

LA FLOR DOMINICANA DOUBLE LIGEROS
Handmade in Santiago, Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Steee-rong. These bad boys are probably some of the strongest, fullest-flavored cigars available on the market thanks to the double ligero filler and dark, Ecuadorian sun-grown wrapper. Not for the faint of heart, but if you enjoy Habanero peppers, a good adrenalin rush or living on the edge, give one of these beauties a try!

I save these for special events. They are not as strong as the ad says but the chisel point focuses the smoke right to your pallet so you taste all of the different flavors. I smoke the Fuente Grand Reservas and Punch more often.

I would go with Makers Mark or a single malt scotch but I am not an Evan Williams hater Very Happy

Grumulkin · Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 6:34 am Post subject: Re: dies

If it's a minimum spec chamber, you may need to turn the necks.