Just started to work up some new loads for my 6.5-284. I full length resized a bunch of brass and now the bolt will barely close. Did the resizing die bump the shoulder forward too much? I'm at a loss as to how to go about fixing this.
Brass Sizing.
- Thread starter onelastshot
- Start date
Mulligan
Silver $$ Contributor
Yes, if the bolt closed freely prior to resizing.
Watch the resizing video on the like below....goood stuff.
https://www.wheeleraccuracy.com/videos
CW
Watch the resizing video on the like below....goood stuff.
https://www.wheeleraccuracy.com/videos
CW
jds holler
Gold $$ Contributor
Are you adjusting your die to contact the shell holder on the full up-stroke? jd
I inserted the die screwed it down to touch the ram when it was all the way to the top. I didn't make any other adjustments. How do I bump these damn shoulders back?
I watched the video clip, I'm still at a loss as how to bump these shoulders back.
When sizing a fired case , with the ram all the way up if you look between the top of the shellholder and the bottom of the die you will probably see a gap. This means you could lower the die a bit more.
More importantly, you need to make or buy a tool that lets you measure the shoulder to base dimension of your cases. This way you can accurately measure how much you have bumped the shoulder back [ or not !!!
].
More importantly, you need to make or buy a tool that lets you measure the shoulder to base dimension of your cases. This way you can accurately measure how much you have bumped the shoulder back [ or not !!!
].Turning the die forward worked like a charm. All I've got to do now is resize 200 pieces of brass.
Mulligan
Silver $$ Contributor
Glad to hear you figured it out.
CW
Shynloco
You can lead a horse to water, but ........
Just to clarify what you did...did you turn the die IN 1/8 turn to achieve what you wanted? I'm unclear what you mean when you say "turn the die forward." Thx.
Alex
I turned the die clockwise, lowering it by an eighth of a turn. You could feel the shoulder move backwards when the ram was raised.
BoydAllen
Gold $$ Contributor
Without a way to measure how much you are pushing your case shoulders back, you could be drastically shorting their useful life. For bolt action rifles we generally like to have .001 to .002 clearance. Dies are threaded 7/8-14. If we divide 1 by 14 we find that each turn of the die advances it by a little over .071. An eighth of that is about .009. If you bump you case shoulders back a lot more than is needed this WILL cause what is called incipient separation, and if you keep sizing and firing, case head separation. You might want to look these terms up and do a little studying. Bottom line making crude adjustments without the proper tools to guide you can be expensive.
jds holler
Gold $$ Contributor
Heck, it sounds to me like he hit the sweet spot. Went from shell holder/die contact giving a tight "no go" fit, to a bit of cam-over giving a "go" fit. Sounds like a properly adjusted die, and an "in spec." chamber. jd
Brians356
Silver $$ Contributor
I'm happy your stiff bolt closure was cured, but Boyd is right. Before you size all 200 cases, I would make the modest investment in a Hornady "Headspace" [sic] tool, the appropriate comparator bushing, and a good dial caliper if you don't already have one. You really shouldn't be sizing by dead reckoning.
PS Consider a set of Redding Competition Shell Holders. These allow you to always cam over on a shell holder (for repeatability) after you determine which of the set of incremented holders yields the shoulder bump of .001 to .002 you may desire.
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In this case the 1/8 turn was perfect; the bolt closes but is still a little tight.
An easy test is to take one layer of cellophane tape(.002 thick ) and apply one layer to back of case. If bolt will not close, you are good to go.
Paul
jds holler
Gold $$ Contributor
I think that a simple (and easy) little test like this is a great way to find where you stand with your full length sized cartridges.An easy test is to take one layer of cellophane tape(.002 thick ) and apply one layer to back of case. If bolt will not close, you are good to go.
Paul
In our quest to create the perfect fitting reload, we tend to forget that a properly set up sizing die with cam-over is SUPPOSED to provide a properly fitting cartridge -- and often does. jd
+1 If your goal is repeatable accuracy you will need consistency between each of these 200 pieces referenced. Without the proper tooling described here that too is guess work. These are basic (and very affordable) tools every reloading bench should have for all mentioned reasons
Shynloco
You can lead a horse to water, but ........
Another alternative to measure your shoulders is an RCBS Precision Mic. I have and use then for every caliber I reload for. They are very accurate and you get exact readings as to the degree of shoulder angle change AFTER firing and how much of a "bump" to set you resizing die to.
Alex
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