Base to datum inconsistent with ADG brass after FL sizing

[Ccrider]

I would trim everything down to the minimum trim length. That way you know you have a constant there.

What type of gun and action is it?

 

[steffen707]

I would trim everything down to the minimum trim length. That way you know you have a constant there.

What type of gun and action is it?

Tikka t3x action, proof barrel.

 

[nwmnbowhunter]

If you measure one piece of brass ten times do you get exact same measurement?

Annealing will not make your variation go away. I've measured lots of annealed vs non annealed. Most variation I've ever gotten from multiple presses and cheap to expensive dies is 0.002 across 5 cases.

Are you using your same press for seating bullets? How consistent is coal/cbto.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I think the main issue is the summit press. Do you have another press to compare?

 

[J.d. Popkes]

Expander ball being used?

 

[steffen707]

Expander ball being used?

no, took that out, using an expander mandrel

If you measure one piece of brass ten times do you get exact same measurement?

Annealing will not make your variation go away. I've measured lots of annealed vs non annealed. Most variation I've ever gotten from multiple presses and cheap to expensive dies is 0.002 across 5 cases.

Are you using your same press for seating bullets? How consistent is coal/cbto.

yes I do, so the caliper is good I think.

i think I was not consistent with how I was putting the die into the hornady lock and load ring. I caught myself a couple times tightening the die in the press vs tightening the die into the lock and load ring, then inserting into the press.

I would stop at the point where you "turned down a little farther and I was getting no bump, but no lengthening either." Then I would check the chambering in the rifle for fit.

Good news @K22 , I got to the point where the case isn't lengthening, nor bumping the shoulder back, like you suggested. Its doing this consistently even if I take the die out and put it back into the press.

 

[steffen707]

Okay i figured out how to remove the plunger and the 2 cases I bumped 3thousandths the bolt drops completely without any resistance.

The ones with zero bump the bolt falls about 1/3-1/2 way down and then I have to push it down the rest of the way.

I got the die, hornady lock and load thing all set now, and each piece loads in the gun with the bolt falling on its own. I made a witness mark in blue ink on the die, ring and hornady ring so I should notice if it moves.

Thank you very VERY much to everybody that helped me. I think i'm also ditching the imperial die wax and just doing oneshot from now on. the press actually felt smoother (or it was in my head).

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Okay i figured out how to remove the plunger and the 2 cases I bumped 3thousandths the bolt drops completely without any resistance.

The ones with zero bump the bolt falls about 1/3-1/2 way down and then I have to push it down the rest of the way.

I got the die, hornady lock and load thing all set now, and each piece loads in the gun with the bolt falling on its own. I made a witness mark in blue ink on the die, wring and hornady ring so I should notice if it moves.

Thank you very VERY much to everybody that helped me. I think i'm also ditching the imperial die wax and just doing oneshot from now on. the press actually felt smoother (or it was in my head).

Dont lock it down for good, youll have to adjust as your brass ages so keep that in mind

 

[steffen707]

Dont lock it down for good, youll have to adjust as your brass ages so keep that in mind

Does annealing reduce the need to adjust the die as the brass ages?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Does annealing reduce the need to adjust the die as the brass ages?

It may reduce it but not eliminate it.

 

[steffen707]

It may reduce it but not eliminate it.

Thanks @Dusty Stevens