6ppc cases scratched after sizing

[Stosh123]

Brand new 6ppc cases are scratched after full length sizing thru a new L.E. Wilson die. The scratches run the full length of the case, from shoulder junction to near the extractor groove, around the entire periphery of the case. I am using an old Pacific “C” frame press and I only mention that in wondering if that might have something to do with the problem( how likely does the shell holder be out of alignment with the die?) l can feel the scratches on the case with my fingernail, but don’t see anything inside the die. I’ve used brake clean on the die to no avail. I thought I’ve always taken care to keep things clean. I am using Imperial sizing wax, small amount. Wilson says to send it back to them and they will re-hone it, but wanted to hear from you all as to possible cause. Oh,also,it takes GREAT force on the ram to push in and pull out the case, way too much in my opinion. Thanks to all.

 

[BoydAllen]

How much does the die reduce the diameters of a fired case at the shoulder and just above the extractor groove, at the end of the die's sizing reach?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

If its not there before sizing and there after sizing- its in your die. A press being off center doesnt scratch brass but it will cause hellacious runout. Look in it with a bright bluish light and youll see the brass galled onto the die im sure

 

[WyleWD]

New 6 ppc brass, presumably norma, should be very easy to resize. And assuming other dies work fine through your press and die combinations, send the die back with a scratched case as you describe. Wilson will take care of you on this. JMHO. WD

 

[jepp2]

The scratches run the full length of the case, from shoulder junction to near the extractor groove, around the entire periphery of the case.

So which die interior looks most like your?
#1 (on a recent thread concerning lube dents)


#2 Or my Redding die after polishing the interior?

 

[JFrank]

Brand new 6ppc cases are scratched after full length sizing thru a new L.E. Wilson die. The scratches run the full length of the case, from shoulder junction to near the extractor groove, around the entire periphery of the case. I am using an old Pacific “C” frame press and I only mention that in wondering if that might have something to do with the problem( how likely does the shell holder be out of alignment with the die?) l can feel the scratches on the case with my fingernail, but don’t see anything inside the die. I’ve used brake clean on the die to no avail. I thought I’ve always taken care to keep things clean. I am using Imperial sizing wax, small amount. Wilson says to send it back to them and they will re-hone it, but wanted to hear from you all as to possible cause. Oh,also,it takes GREAT force on the ram to push in and pull out the case, way too much in my opinion. Thanks to all.

Wilson stands behind their tools IME
It shouldn’t take GREAT force to size a case, ( mine is smooth as silk) it sounds like your die isn’t a close fit to your chamber. Boyd touched on this in his post.

 

[Baer45]

So which die interior looks most like your?
#1 (on a recent thread concerning lube dents)
View attachment 1136186

#2 Or my Redding die after polishing the interior?
View attachment 1136188

What process do you use to polish your dies? I have wanted to do it with my dremel and a fine soft abrasive but was hoping I would find an article on how to do it before I mess up a die....great idea!

 

[jepp2]

What process do you use to polish your dies?

My #1 priority is do no damage to the die. #2 priority is to slightly improve the surface finish of the die interior.

My process is very basic. I take a brass rod (5/32 is my choice as it offers stiffness yet passes through the neck portion of the die). I cut a length of paper towel and have less width for the part I will polish the die neck with (extended beyond the brass rod). Then I use a short piece of black electrical tape to secure it to the rod. I wrap it tightly and check fit on the die interior (I have done this enough I know what length and width I want). Then I coat it with Flitz and run at high speed in my drill. Next I repeat with no polish added, then I add Mothers Mag polish. Then another paper towel section with no polish. Done.

I read about folks using the cotton bore mops, but my system costs less and fits tighter.

After polishing there is a noticeable reduction in sizing effort. Much less.

I first read about this on Varmint Al's website. Look about 1/3 of the way down the page, he covers polishing sizing dies.
http://www.varmintal.com/arelo.htm

I also hone my die necks to the diameter I want. From that I learned how hard dies are, and even using 240 grit Clover lapping compound, it takes a while to remove material.

 

[MislMan]

OK guys, help me out here. Most new brass is undersize in the case diameter to start with. Most times the only thing getting sized on new (out of the box & not shot) brass would be the neck. So, is this the correct die or am I missing something basic?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

A high polish is not what you want. Itll drag brass off and scratch everything. Too sticky

 

[Stosh123]

Brand new 6ppc cases are scratched after full length sizing thru a new L.E. Wilson die. The scratches run the full length of the case, from shoulder junction to near the extractor groove, around the entire periphery of the case. I am using an old Pacific “C” frame press and I only mention that in wondering if that might have something to do with the problem( how likely does the shell holder be out of alignment with the die?) l can feel the scratches on the case with my fingernail, but don’t see anything inside the die. I’ve used brake clean on the die to no avail. I thought I’ve always taken care to keep things clean. I am using Imperial sizing wax, small amount. Wilson says to send it back to them and they will re-hone it, but wanted to hear from you all as to possible cause. Oh,also,it takes GREAT force on the ram to push in and pull out the case, way too much in my opinion. Thanks to all.

 

[Stosh123]

Brand new 6ppc cases are scratched after full length sizing thru a new L.E. Wilson die. The scratches run the full length of the case, from shoulder junction to near the extractor groove, around the entire periphery of the case. I am using an old Pacific “C” frame press and I only mention that in wondering if that might have something to do with the problem( how likely does the shell holder be out of alignment with the die?) l can feel the scratches on the case with my fingernail, but don’t see anything inside the die. I’ve used brake clean on the die to no avail. I thought I’ve always taken care to keep things clean. I am using Imperial sizing wax, small amount. Wilson says to send it back to them and they will re-hone it, but wanted to hear from you all as to possible cause. Oh,also,it takes GREAT force on the ram to push in and pull out the case, way too much in my opinion. Thanks to all.

 

[Stosh123]

Just getting a chance to see what responses I got in regard to my case scratches. The brass is new Lapua brass and DJ Brass formed and turned the necks for me. I’ll get back with everyone later tonight or tomorrow. Thank you all that took time to respond, gets kind of frustrating when don’t have anyone close to appeal to.

 

[Stosh123]

Just getting a chance to see what responses I got in regard to my case scratches. The brass is new Lapua brass and DJ Brass formed and turned the necks for me. I’ll get back with everyone later tonight or tomorrow. Thank you all that took time to respond, gets kind of frustrating when don’t have anyone close to appeal to.

 

[Stosh123]

This is what the cases mic’d out at.

 

[Vodoun daVinci]

What process do you use to polish your dies? I have wanted to do it with my dremel and a fine soft abrasive but was hoping I would find an article on how to do it before I mess up a die....great idea!

I use a Dremel tool with a felt polishing deal in the mandrel. Lube it with Flitz or a similar metal polish and just polish it. Very, very little metal is removed..on the order of microns.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XJINV42/?tag=accuratescom-20

VooDoo

 

[Stosh123]

So which die interior looks most like your?
#1 (on a recent thread concerning lube dents)
View attachment 1136186

#2 Or my Redding die after polishing the interior?
View attachment 1136188

The die and 2 unsized,2 sized cases are on the way to Wilson’s. After they perform their magic, they will try the unsized cases in the die to prove out hopefully. Later

 

[Stosh123]

If its not there before sizing and there after sizing- its in your die. A press being off center doesnt scratch brass but it will cause hellacious runout. Look in it with a bright bluish light and youll see the brass galled onto the die im sure

Dusty, the die and cases are on their way to Wilson’s. They said they’d perform their magic on the die, then size a couple of those unsized cases to verify that the problem is gone. Dusty, you got any idea how long my barrel is good for? I’ve got 1400 rounds through it, but I find out my loads are on the mild side: 27 grs. max with 64 gr Berger. Guess some people use 30 grs. or more.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Dusty, the die and cases are on their way to Wilson’s. They said they’d perform their magic on the die, then size a couple of those unsized cases to verify that the problem is gone. Dusty, you got any idea how long my barrel is good for? I’ve got 1400 rounds through it, but I find out my loads are on the mild side: 27 grs. max with 64 gr Berger. Guess some people use 30 grs. or more.

At 27grs it may last forever- most use that to fireform. But 1400 is pushing it to be competitive above the club level. It could crap out any match but if it shoots good and you can stand to have it fall out in the middle of a match keep on runnin it

 

[Stosh123]

At 27grs it may last forever- most use that to fireform. But 1400 is pushing it to be competitive above the club level. It could crap out any match but if it shoots good and you can stand to have it fall out in the middle of a match keep on runnin it

Thank you for your input. I’m 82 and shoot for my own pleasure and only compete when our local club has a match. But being trained as a machine designer and appreciating details, I still would like to wring out maximum accuracy from rifle.