Hey guys I’m new to reloading I’ve noticed some of the same name brand brass LC when I do a full sizing on it some don’t fit my gauge and some do after inspection I noticed the ones that dint fit had a bulge I could feel by rubbing my finger towards the end of the casing by the head . I tired resizing again and it worked on a few but the rest I just kept aside with out knowing what todo . I’m suing Lee full size dies and Lee breech hand press . Any reason my I can’t fully resize some i fallowed the instructions that came with the press. I’m reloading 223 rem .
Bulge on casings
- Thread starter Reloader000
- Start date
You probably need a small base die. You're brass was most likely fired in a very generous chamber.
You need a Small Base (SB) resizing die. RCBS sells one for Rem. 223/5.56. It is sold as a set with a bullet seating die. Amazon has a set for $45.99. With a extra bullet seating die you’ll have an extra seating die for a different bullet style. I have all three sets of RCBS for Rem. 223, with a neck, full length, and SB sizing dies. This gave me three bullet seating dies for Nosler 50 gr BT, Hornady 55 gr FMJ, and Hornady 68 gr BTHP Match.
As a side note. The Hornady 68 gr BTHP Match is instant death on coyotes. The bullet explodes inside reducing the lungs and heart to mush, but no exit wound for fur hunters.
As a side note. The Hornady 68 gr BTHP Match is instant death on coyotes. The bullet explodes inside reducing the lungs and heart to mush, but no exit wound for fur hunters.
This is not unusual. There was an article in the Daily Bulletin a while back published by Sierra on this issue.
What type of firearm are you loading for, bolt or semi-auto?
Does the sized cartridge chamber without resistance?
Do fired cases extract without any problems?
As long as you are loading within safe parameters and are experiencing no signs of excessive pressure, and the case will chamber without resistance, then this is not an issue. The condition could be cause by a chamber that is slightly out of round.
If the above conditions are being met, i.e., there is no functionality problems, I would not use a small base die just because you see a slight bulge at the base of the case. This could create a case that is significantly undersized.
If you are shooting a semi-auto with an oversized chamber, then a small base die may be needed.
What type of firearm are you loading for, bolt or semi-auto?
Does the sized cartridge chamber without resistance?
Do fired cases extract without any problems?
As long as you are loading within safe parameters and are experiencing no signs of excessive pressure, and the case will chamber without resistance, then this is not an issue. The condition could be cause by a chamber that is slightly out of round.
If the above conditions are being met, i.e., there is no functionality problems, I would not use a small base die just because you see a slight bulge at the base of the case. This could create a case that is significantly undersized.
If you are shooting a semi-auto with an oversized chamber, then a small base die may be needed.
Thanks for the reply I was just a bit nervous since the casing dint fit flush with the gauge checker trying to fo everything with in specs so I have a good safe experience into this reloading Journey. I have both bolt and semi mostly going to be using it in my ar15 chamber in 556 . I haven’t checked them inside any of my rifles I been waiting for some powder to be shipped . I’ll seat a bullet in one and see how it extracts . They are measuring 1.750,1.754,some 1.755 overall case length
Forgot to mention the brass i picked them up at my local range .
I check that out . I’ll just put those extra casing that don’t fit flush in my gauge aside till I get the smaller dies .
As others have said. They were probably fired in a semi auto. Semi auto’s unusually have a big chamber to make sure the chamber and extract easily. Don't jump on thinking a law suite. They know how to make dies.
I know a lot of guys use range brass, I did for a long time too but stopped a few years ago because I encountered significant problems. However, with today's shortages, I understand the need to retrieve range brass and I'm not going to condemn it.
However, this could be the source of your problem if it is indeed a problem. Like I said, if the cases chamber and extract without issue and you have no pressure signs, I don't believe there is a reason to address the bulge.
I have several 223 Rem bolt rifles of different brands, twists, etc. Some have after market custom barrels. A few of these factory rifles exhibit isolated case bulging at the base. However, functionally the affected cases perform without incident. Also, I can detect no affect on precision with these cases. I typically get about 15 to 18 reloads on these cases which are full size with a slight shoulder bump.
I found that dedicating a group of cases to a specific rifle and rotating their use aids greatly in consistency. Also, starting with virgin cases helps a lot.
When it comes to semi's - I will defer to others since I do not shoot or load semi's. I do believe that the small based dies were developed for semi's, not bolt rifles but I don't have any experience reloading for semi-rifles. The last time I shot one was in the Army, in 1970.
I had no idea the smaller dies were developed for semi’s . Thinking of just buying a set and seeing the results I get and just use the regular die for my bolt actions . I’m waiting on some powder to ship I’ll keep a eye out for pressure signs . Thank you !I know a lot of guys use range brass, I did for a long time too but stopped a few years ago because I encountered significant problems. However, with today's shortages, I understand the need to retrieve range brass and I'm not going to condemn it.
However, this could be the source of your problem if it is indeed a problem. Like I said, if the cases chamber and extract without issue and you have no pressure signs, I don't believe there is a reason to address the bulge.
I have several 223 Rem bolt rifles of different brands, twists, etc. Some have after market custom barrels. A few of these factory rifles exhibit isolated case bulging at the base. However, functionally the affected cases perform without incident. Also, I can detect no affect on precision with these cases. I typically get about 15 to 18 reloads on these cases which are full size with a slight shoulder bump.
I found that dedicating a group of cases to a specific rifle and rotating their use aids greatly in consistency. Also, starting with virgin cases helps a lot.
When it comes to semi's - I will defer to others since I do not shoot or load semi's. I do believe that the small based dies were developed for semi's, not bolt rifles but I don't have any experience reloading for semi-rifles. The last time I shot one was in the Army, in 1970.
There are several things that could keep the cases from fully entering the case guage. If it's too long or if the shoulder is not pushed back enough or if the case is too big around about an quarter in above the rim. Maybe your die just needs to be turned down another 1/8 turn. But I've been reloading since 1965. Never used a guage. Never shot a round out of a guage. Guages are supposed to be cut to SAAMI minimun so if it guages, it will fit in any chamber. Factory chambers never seem to be SAAMI minimum but are couple thousandths larger. Currently running 7 223's. The ultimate guage is your barrel. The AR's all have match barrels from Compass Lake. When new they are about he same as my boltgun chambers. The AR bolt lugs do wear down causing the chambers to "grow" 1-3 thousandths over their life time. After their match life, they become practice uppers as long as their short range accurracy holds up. So remove the firing pin from your AR's and test those "don't guage" cases. Bet they will chamber just fine. In time you will learn how much a case can stick out of your guage and still be OK.
Frank
Frank
If you are a first timer don't make it any harder than it needs to be. Get new brass. Don't try to
size some old brass that the case heads are bulging on. Develop a good understanding of what
headspace is. How to resize your brass to match the headspace in your chamber. If you get a small
base die and start size your range brass you will inevitably get case head separations. Your putting
a Band-Aid on another problem. Get good (known) brass
size some old brass that the case heads are bulging on. Develop a good understanding of what
headspace is. How to resize your brass to match the headspace in your chamber. If you get a small
base die and start size your range brass you will inevitably get case head separations. Your putting
a Band-Aid on another problem. Get good (known) brass
So your saying the small base dies work the brass more in return shorter life span ?
RegionRat
Gold $$ Contributor
Small Base Dies
What does a "small base die" do that a normal die doesn't do? Why and when would you use one?
forum.accurateshooter.com
ETA: Yes. How significant the shortening will be is dependent on many other variables. On a hotter AR loading, the life of the primer pocket can be short, so the risk of case head separation, neck splits, or primer pockets, must all be considered in a trade-off with function reliability and performance.
On cases that have been once fired in a large chamber. Small base dies are an option. Only if
you really understand your what size of chamber you are dealing with. Not optimal. My feeling is
the OP is new and will oversize his XL cases He might get one firing before they separate. Then what?
And he has a small base die that he really doesn't need anymore. And brass in the trash. If good quality
(in spec) brass is used he shouldn't need a small base die. If you have to you can grind the shell holder down to get the case in the die further. I have only had to do this once. Its rare. Bottom line is that of he gets
In Spec brass, his sizing die he has now will work. No Headaches
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You can buy a single small base sizing die from RCBS and it might be worth the investment for a semi and for using range cases. I would just test a few cases before going wholesale with a small base die and see if it gives you the results you are seeking.
Coyotefurharvester
Silver $$ Contributor
I doubt there are any full autos running on his range. Get 50-100 new 223 brass, learn how to size and maintain brass from your rifle. And then tackle range brass, I have picked up brass after semi auto classes at my range, no sb die, I can size and use in my bolts and AR's. Some of these classes have 10 or more rifles/shooters. New brass is still the way to go for a new reloader who doesn't have an experienced mentor. With the Lee dies, go to their ws, watch the appropriate video for your equipment, some of their printed literature can be difficult and is very generic.
guys so I seated a bullet in some brass and seems to chamber and extract fine . Not fired ammo still waiting on powder .
On range brass I always anneal it and run it through a small base die with just the slightest bump on the shoulder for the chamber it is intended for. I shoot three 20P, a 223 and a 6x45mm so it is handy to have the SB die.. Range brass gets sorted for brand and weight then assigned to a specific rifle. The left overs go into the 20P AR as they tend to disappear in the grass and I don't care too much about case life just reliability.
Coyotefurharvester
Silver $$ Contributor
I have snow loss here in Minnesota, so I never run factory 17 rem brass through my AR in the snow. For me range brass is perfect for winter hunting, if I can't see it I don't spend anytime looking. My 20p AR sees more action for the same reason.
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