22 250 AI brass problem

[areaone]

After I FL size my 22 250 brass it is difficult to chamber(stiff bolt close). No prblem with fired brass, it chambers with very little effort, using a RCBS FL die, tried just sizing the neck with the same result-stiff bolt close. I measured brass, seems to be in specs, got me baffled. Any Ideas??????????

 

[itchyTF]

How do you size just the neck with a FL die?

Depending on case geometry and chamber dimensions running a case in a FL die can lengthen the base to shoulder dimension. If that dimension exceeds your headspace, you will have a stiff bolt and may not even be able to close it.

You may need to bump the shoulder back.

 

[areaone]

Back the die off quite a bit and only sizes a portion of the neck., I know it is sizing part of the case but not the complete case. Did bump the shoulder, that was my first thought, measured shoulder on unsized cases and no problem with themchambering I then bumped the shoulder.0010, same problem stiff bolt close.

 

[itchyTF]

What base-to-shoulder measurement do you get -

after firing?

after minimal sizing?

after the bump?

You may need to bump more than .001"

 

[areaone]

Base to shoulder on the fired, not sized cases is greater than the base to shoulder sized cases. The not sized cases chamber fine, it is only after FL or partial sizing that I have stiff bolt. Maybe I am getting brass flow after 4 or five firings, but I would think the FL sizing would take care of it.

 

[areaone]

Problem solved. I guess as we acquire more and more loading supplies and we get older we forget what supplies we have, or I have anyway(God's way of telling you that you have too much of anything and that you are really getting older, even if you are in denial). My problem solved by my using, which I forgot I had, a Redding 22/250 AI body die. Apparently my FL sizing die is off spec or I can not set it to bump that shoulder back as far as needed. Anyway, the mystery is solved,(without the help of the Hardy Boys), after running the case thru the Redding die it is perfect, normal bolt close. Just confirms why I like Redding dies more than RCBS dies, altho I have a number of each, along with Lyman, Forster, and Hornady. Thanks for the replies and suggestions, always appreciated and valuable information that is shared.

 

[BoydAllen]

I hope that you are measuring shoulder bump.

 

[areaone]

I am, just can not get the rcbs die to bump the shoulder corectly. about .0015. case separation should not be a problem, thanks.

 

[gotcha]

Areaone, You might want to return the die to RCBS w/ a few fire formed cases along w/ a few cases sized w/ your Redding die. They will mill the appropriate amount from the bottom of your RCBS die. I had the same problem recently w/ a Forster die. They milled the die for me @ no charge, paid shpng both ways & sent a letter of apology. Stuff happens! The quality suppliers own up & make it right in my experience. Good luck