Question on 223ai FL die

[Cuando]

I know the .223AI needs a 4 thou crush on a SAAMI .223.

What I'm saying, is that if your rifle was set up that way, you wouldn't be having this issue with dies not bumping shoulders.

Your smith didn't run the reamer in quite far enough.

Chuck your die in a lathe and remove some of the base.

 

[steve123]

I know the .223AI needs a 4 thou crush on a SAAMI .223.

What I'm saying, is that if your rifle was set up that way, you wouldn't be having this issue with dies not bumping shoulders.

Your smith didn't run the reamer in quite far enough.

Chuck your die in a lathe and remove some of the base.

I do thank you for trying to help out and I'm not trying to be an askhole BTW.

If the Smith had ran the reamer in farther there wouldn't be that .004" crush fit, correct??? I could create a false shoulder and/or seat bullets into the lands but I would rather not. Nor have to alter the dies and pay for that too.

I had mentioned that these current dies don't size at all on the .200" line. One can take metal out if the size die was to tight but there's nothing to be done if the opposite, like I have going on. I'm sending these dies back because I'm concerned with getting that bolt click thing in a few more firings. The truth is these dies are intended for some other version, the Redding version of 223 improved 40 degree #1.

This rifle is just for fun on steel, not for comps. I wasn't planning on spending a bunch of money on custom dies, or rechambering, or... but here I am messing with it.

I do like that the necks have only .004" expansion. .004 is today's number, lol.

It'll probably be an exorcise in futility but I'll call Lee and Forster tomorrow to ask if they know what their size dies size the web too.

 

[Cuando]

I know you're not Steve.

You're feeling a crush, but how much?

If the smith short chambered it and had say an 8 thou crush fit, you'd never know unless you used a gauge.

My Redding .223AI body die will only bump shoulders 4 thousandths at full cam over.

It would also explain why it's not sizing at the .200 line.

 

[steve123]

I know you're not Steve.

You're feeling a crush, but how much?

If the smith short chambered it and had say an 8 thou crush fit, you'd never know unless you used a gauge.

My Redding .223AI body die will only bump shoulders 4 thousandths at full cam over.

It would also explain why it's not sizing at the .200 line.

I'm pretty sure I'd feel 8 thou crush without the firing pin assembly in??? But of course "feel" is just speculation.

I called Lee twice and gave up. I just ordered Lee 223AI dies from a on line store\ hoping for the easy way out. Will report back with the results.

Called Forster too, they don't make 223AI specialty dies anymore.

 

[Cuando]

If your .223 is exact saami spec you might you might not. Lots of mech advantage there.

I need a .223AI type s FL sizer if you're selling.

 

[steve123]

If your .223 is exact saami spec you might you might not. Lots of mech advantage there.

I need a .223AI type s FL sizer if you're selling.

I sent them back but his was a regular neck die, so no bushings.

 

[steve123]

I got the Lee 223 AI dies in. First thing I did was clean primer punch rod, apply Rosin, and tighten as tight as I felt was not too much. I'm determined to start off with virgin brass only for this rifle.

Lucky, I suppose, but they work great!

.002" reduction on the shoulder diameter from fired brass.

.0015" reduction at the .200 line.

But only .0015" shoulder bump, and that's all I can get with a firm cam over. Might need to take .001" off the shell holder. That's with the new shell holder that came with the Lee dies.