Got brass troubles. Cause ? Video posted

[dantiff2]

^^ Looks good! I'd be curious to see how another brand of brass would fair?

 

[DLT]

I left out a new unfired piece

 

[dantiff2]

Definitely not ideal having that much room to make up for... But with your minimal resizing after the initial fire form, I would still expect to get more than 4 loads.

 

[JFrank]

View attachment 1424127
Here I grabbed 6 pieces to test. 2 with each of the 3 dies I have on hand. It’s pretty clear the redding small base and the hornady is sizing the most. Look at shoulder diameter (right where the body and shoulder meet) between fired and sized.

You’re sizing the case shoulder diameter way too much, a couple thousand is all you need. The base should be measured above the web, your number should be smaller than your bolt face simply because you have a tapered case. Try that number again and report back.

 

[DLT]

Definitely not ideal having that much room to make up for... But with your minimal resizing after the initial fire form, I would still expect to get more than 4 loads.

Are you talking about the initial firing with new brass ? Or the sizing of the shoulder diameter ?

 

[DLT]

You’re sizing the case shoulder junction way too much, a couple thousand is all you need. The base should be measured above the web, your number should be smaller than your bolt face simply because you have a tapered case. Try that number again and report back.

I have been using the rcbs die. Is it sizing the diameter of the shoulder way to much or it’s getting bumped back toward the body too much ???? How far up from the case head should I measure. I have never thought of measuring the diameter of a shoulder at the shoulder body junction. I haven’t really heard of anyone doing it either. Just pushing the shoulder back. I’m learning don’t cuss me too bad.

 

[JFrank]

Sorry I meant Diameter, it’s still quite early on my end.
Can you turn your caliper this direction when measuring the base/.200 line and capture the FAT part of the case ?

 

[LHSmith]

Let the chamber tell you. Do you get a click on bolt lift? Add a layer of tape to case head to show you where you are.

 

[DLT]

Let the chamber tell you. Do you get a click on bolt lift? Add a layer of tape to case head to show you where you are.

No I do not get a click I’m pretty sure. I don’t have the rifle with me.

 

[dantiff2]

Are you talking about the initial firing with new brass ? Or the sizing of the shoulder diameter ?

Yes, Initial firing. Like most all new brass, new, unfired cases are just too short but that's out of our control as reloaders.. My factory 30-06 chamber is 7-8 thou on first firing and I still get over a dozen stout loadings out of Win brass. Your numbers are not at all bad and I think you have a good representation of what 99% of us deal with in normal everyday tolerances.

 

[JFrank]

You’re currently sizing the shoulder diameter
Redding .008
Hornday .009
RCBS .0045
And nobody thinks that’s a problem ?

 

[DLT]

Fired case.



Sized case

 

[DLT]

View attachment 1424217You’re currently sizing the shoulder diameter
Redding .008
Hornday .009
RCBS .0045
And nobody thinks that’s a problem ?

That’s why I posed it. For help. I can see it would cause a problem. How to fix ? As far as my shoulder push back goes if I back my die out any I will have a little pressure when closing my bolt. I can try it again later hopefully to test or does my die not fit the chamber worth a shit

 

[dantiff2]

View attachment 1424217You’re currently sizing the shoulder diameter
Redding .008
Hornday .009
RCBS .0045
And nobody thinks that’s a problem ?

If it were actually sizing that much than yes but without an optical comparator or a CMM machine. I wouldn't use any of these numbers...

 

[DLT]

If it were actually sizing that much than yes but without an optical comparator or a CMM machine. I wouldn't use any of these numbers...

I have been using the rcbs die. I knew just off of feel alone it was working my brass the least. I never heard of measuring the shoulder diameter only shoulder set back.

 

[JFrank]

That’s why I posed it. For help. I can see it would cause a problem. How to fix ? As far as my shoulder push back goes if I back my die out any I will have a little pressure when closing my bolt. I can try it again later hopefully to test or does my die not fit the chamber worth a shit

Shoulder bump is not your problem

 

[DLT]

Shoulder bump is not your problem

Was base measurement pictures correct ?

 

[JFrank]

Was base measurement pictures correct ?

That’s where I measure it.
Two out of your three dies are grossly over sizing. Heres an example of a quality 308 die that sizes beautifully and rounds chamber freely before and after ignition with indefinite case life.

 

[dantiff2]

Post #137: "Whatsupdoc" had the same failure point on Starline brass with a chamber that he said he knows is a tight chamber and tried two different dies. He managed 7-8 loading's, which is much better in my opinion than the OP's 4 but still not great.. Do a google search and see if you can hit on any more complaints in other shooting forums/ pages.

 

[LHSmith]

Hard to close bolt- fix by pushing back shoulder
Bolt click on bolt open Or hard to open - case just ahead of web expanded too big for chamber.