Sizing die brass shavings

[divingin]

Are the shavings ending up on the press or inside the cases? If on the press, IMO it has the be the entry to the TN insert having a lack of bevel to guide the case mouth in before sizing it. Ends up taking the squarish edge of the case mouth, rolling it into a burr and shaving it off. There shouldn't be anything on a pistol sizing die that would shave the inside of the case mouth (as any out-of-round is handled at the flare station.)

Close inspection of the point the die first comes in contact with the mouth of the brass should show what happens as the brass just starts being sized. If I remember, I'll take a look at my dies when I get home tonight.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Have you sized cases without the expander/rod? At least as a experiment since you are finding shavings inside cases.

 

[CZSandW]

Are the shavings ending up on the press or inside the cases? If on the press, IMO it has the be the entry to the TN insert having a lack of bevel to guide the case mouth in before sizing it. Ends up taking the squarish edge of the case mouth, rolling it into a burr and shaving it off. There shouldn't be anything on a pistol sizing die that would shave the inside of the case mouth (as any out-of-round is handled at the flare station.)

Close inspection of the point the die first comes in contact with the mouth of the brass should show what happens as the brass just starts being sized. If I remember, I'll take a look at my dies when I get home tonight.

The shavings are inside the case and also up inside the die. The TN insert has a very smooth radius point of entry. I’ll look closely at point of entry to see if cases are being fed squarely into die, maybe they are a bit crooked, although that would lead me to think the shavings would be on the outside of case and top of ram. Maybe it’s the inside edge of the TN insert and scraping off as the case is withdrawn from the die? That makes sense, I’ll check that too.

 

[CZSandW]

Have you sized cases without the expander/rod? At least as a experiment since you are finding shavings inside cases.

It’s not an expander rod, it’s the rod that holds the decapping pin (removes spent primer)

 

[arctic2]

Have you tried partially sizing a case in step's to see where the deformation is starting in the full sizing process?

 

[mousegunner]

Best thing is to return dies for new ones and include pictures but eliminate all operator variables, sizing is fairly straightforward if you're doing everything right then it's the dies in my opinion.

My 2 cent opinion but with Biden's inflation it's now 5 cent.

 

[mousegunner]

Have you tried partially sizing a case in step's to see where the deformation is starting in the full sizing process?

Very good idea.

 

[K22]

No I don’t chamfer first. If you recommend I will add it to my routine.

Absolutely cases need to be chamfered before the initial sizing then after each time you trim the cases.

Chamber both the inside and outside. After chambering, run you finger over the outside of the case opening - it should be smooth.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

Been reloading 38 Special since 1966. Have never trimmed one or chamfered the case mouths. Same with 357, 9mm, 40 S&W, 45LC, 45ACP and 41 Mag. Something is either wrong with the die or it is adjusted wrong!

Is it a straight 38 only die or a 38 and 357 die?

Try backing the die body out a 1/4 turn, maybe its bottoming out at the top of the die ?

Frank

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

What is the die part between the die body and the big nut? Take the die apart and lay them out side by side so we can see them.

Tks
Frank

 

[mousegunner]

What is the die part between the die body and the big nut? Take the die apart and lay them out side by side so we can see them.

Tks
Frank

Should be the die body and decapping stem only and the nut on top to tighten the decapping stem.

Now, if it's a .38 special die only, would the case hit the top inside the die, get bent or peened and when it's pulled through the sizer ring on the way out, those bent edges get shaved off ? Is it a .38/.357 die? Is a .38 only shorter?

I read a long time ago you could use a .38 die for .357 if you used a washer of certain thickness under the locking ring.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Have you got another press to try, as to take the Lee press out of the equation for a test run.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

It’s got to be the shell holder doesn’t have enough play in it to line up with the die squarely, doesn’t it?

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I set up an old Bonanza die I had. I sized some fired brass (357) and than set the expander die to flare just enough so the brass would drag slightly when I tried it in my Smith, I than resized the over flared cases, several resulted with curved shavings like in your picture.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

'Should be the die body and decapping stem only and the nut on top to tighten the decapping stem.'

Mousegunner, I agree! But the pic has a round section between the body and the nut locking the decapping pin shaft. Never seen a die like that, but I don't have any of that brand. Wound like a pic just to satisfy my curiosity .

Frank

 

[Kracken McGraw]

'Should be the die body and decapping stem only and the nut on top to tighten the decapping stem.'
View attachment 1309227
Mousegunner, I agree! But the pic has a round section between the body and the nut locking the decapping pin shaft. Never seen a die like that, but I don't have any of that brand. Wound like a pic just to satisfy my curiosity .

Frank

This one set for 38 Special.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

Kracken, tks for the info/pic. Apparently that is a non issue.

Frank

 

[dellet]

I think, like most others, the case mouth is the likely problem.

You have multiple headstamps, does it do it on one or all?

Only on new, or once fired also?

You have a wide range of thickness, if you chamfer and de-burr, does this variation change?

I am wondering if the thicker brass, is actually a burr or turned edge on the mouth of the case, that is being pushed off as the case enters the die. I would expect that to be on a single headstamp and probably only new brass.

 

[CZSandW]

'Should be the die body and decapping stem only and the nut on top to tighten the decapping stem.'
View attachment 1309227
Mousegunner, I agree! But the pic has a round section between the body and the nut locking the decapping pin shaft. Never seen a die like that, but I don't have any of that brand. Wound like a pic just to satisfy my curiosity .

Frank

The round section between locking nut and press is a quickload insert. It’s a Lee feature And has worked well. I’ve done more playing around. the shavings seem to be scraped off the case on the withdrawal stroke from the die. Photos attached. The shavings look thick but are really thin, 0.0010

 

[CZSandW]

Should be the die body and decapping stem only and the nut on top to tighten the decapping stem.

Now, if it's a .38 special die only, would the case hit the top inside the die, get bent or peened and when it's pulled through the sizer ring on the way out, those bent edges get shaved off ? Is it a .38/.357 die? Is a .38 only shorter?

I read a long time ago you could use a .38 die for .357 if you used a washer of certain thickness under the locking ring.

It’s a .38/.357 die And have used successfully in the past. Something’s changed and I can’t figure out what.