243 base sizing issue

[jsthntn247]

Seems the base of my brass is not getting sized enough with my Forster fl die and I'm getting clicks on all loads after the second firing. I like the forster die because of the raised expander and the fact I can change to different sized expanders. I've got a Redding body die, would this be smaller at the base? I've also heard mention of a Ring die but can't find anything on them.

 

[bigedp51]

We live in a plus and minus manufacturing world and no two dies are the same. I have seven .223/5.56 dies and as an example my Lee .223 full length die sizes the base smaller than my Redding and RCBS small base dies.

Have you tried pausing at the top of the ram stroke for a few seconds? This will let the brass know who's the boss with far less brass springback.

You can try using your Redding body die or any .243, .308, 30-06 standard or small base die.

You can also order a RCBS .243 small base die and order the Forster expander spindle assembly and keep you neck runout to minimums.

Below a RCBS .223/5.56 full length small base die with a Forster expander and spindle assembly.

 

[hogan]

Seems the base of my brass is not getting sized enough with my Forster fl die and I'm getting clicks on all loads after the second firing. I like the forster die because of the raised expander and the fact I can change to different sized expanders. I've got a Redding body die, would this be smaller at the base? I've also heard mention of a Ring die but can't find anything on them.

Getting a light strike mark on your primer? No strike at all?

The problem is most likely over-sizing your brass and thereby your firing pin impact is used trying to drive the brass deep enough to shoulder and provide enough resistance to get a good strike on the primer.


Have you sized all your fired brass? Try simply replacing the primer and firing the primer (safely!) Move the decapping rod to full extension so you get no sizing effect from the die. If the unsized brass with new primer fires, your problem is oversized brass. Might be salvageable, might not... Pull the bullets and powdercharge with a collet puller or kinetic puller. Use a case-forming charge and some cream of wheat or other case filler and try forming your brass again to your chamber.

The size of your case head will not cause a failure to fire if the bolt will seat on the brass and cam into battery.

No reason to FL resize your brass, if using a bolt action, until the bolt closure becomes difficult or even moderately resistant. Doubt that happened on first firing of virgin brass unless you loaded way hot loads.

 

[bigedp51]

Hogan

Reread the post title and the first sentence of the posting.

 

[ridgeway]

There was a guy making ring dies on here...not sure if he does them anymore or not.

What brass you using? Lapua I hope. Kinda odd getting clickers after second firing.

Measure with a micrometer the base of a fired case and then a fl sized. This should tell the tale how much its sizing.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Sounds like excessive runout in the chamber. Pbike57 is the cat that makes the ring dies

 

[smoooth]

Sounds like a hot load or a tight chamber situation - possibly both. More info please. Is this a factory chamber or custom, tight neck or not, brand of brass, how many rounds down the barrel??

 

[jsthntn247]

It's a custom chamber. It's a tactical rifle so fast cycling is a must. Seems fine on the first firing of new brass, get a few that slow cycling on second firing, and all on the third firing. After the third most are hard to push in the chamber after fl resizing bumping shoulders .002, almost like the shoulders weren't bumped back enough or I was hard jamming, but I'm not, it's hitting just above the belt.

 

[alf]

A small base die is just a band aid.....get the azz of the chamber honed out.

 

[243winxb]

Reduce load. Watch for expanded primer pockets/gas leak towards 5 loadings. http://www.saami.org/PubResources/CC_Drawings/Rifle/243%20Winchester.pdf