Do i need a body die

[chet]

i have a 6.5 creedmoor with 600rounds down the tube, i have the Forster full size die, when i adjust the die to just bump the shoulder back .002 the case is hard to close the bolt, if i turn the die in to make the bolt close just right the shoulder is bumped back .006 so what do i need either a small base die or a body die ect

Chet

 

[DocDoc]

i have a 6.5 creedmoor with 600rounds down the tube, i have the Forster full size die, when i adjust the die to just bump the shoulder back .002 the case is hard to close the bolt, if i turn the die in to make the bolt close just right the shoulder is bumped back .006 so what do i need either a small base die or a body die ect

Chet

Use a black felt tip marker on a sized case. Chamber and see where it is binding. If it is near the 0.200 line near the base, you need a small base die.

 

[DaveTooley]

I always go by feel not by a number.

How many times has this brass been fired?
What has changed after the first 600 rounds to cause this? New die?

 

[chet]

I always go by feel not by a number.

How many times has this brass been fired?
What has changed after the first 600 rounds to cause this? New die?

Dave

nothing has changed, it done this since the first time i reloaded for it, brass is probably fired 12 times, it is Hornady brass, if i had to guess without using a marker as doc doc mentioned, i think it may be around 3/8" to 1/2" up from the base area. i can neck size about 2 or 3 times then i FS.

 

[ShootDots]

i have a 6.5 creedmoor with 600rounds down the tube, i have the Forster full size die, when i adjust the die to just bump the shoulder back .002 the case is hard to close the bolt, if i turn the die in to make the bolt close just right the shoulder is bumped back .006 so what do i need either a small base die or a body die ect

Chet

I would bet it is the base of the case that has expanded and is slightly beyond the capability of your Forster die. If this is the culprit, I would buy the NEW Lapua Small Primer pocket brass. If it is anything like the .308 Palma Brass, which I suspect it would be, that brass will eliminate that problem.

 

[DaveTooley]

I'm pretty sure what's going on. 11 firings means you've got your money's worth out of the brass. What caused the problem is neck sizing and age. Brass work hardens every time it is fired or sized. It hardens at a specific size. Either just under chamber size or just over FL die dimensions. By not FL sizing each time it has hardened at the larger diameter. Your FL die can't reduce the size as much as when the brass was more flexible if that makes any sense. Do what you have to to make it run but plan on new brass and FL size every time to maintain the size as it work hardens.

I have seen this also. There can be a difference in the radius at the junction of the neck and shoulder between the chamber and the die resulting in an interference fit. At .002" bump what does it feel like and are you having extraction issues?

By chance did your smith tighten up the base diameter on the reamer? I tried that and it never worked out. I have several reamers that I have to polish the chamber to size.

 

[chet]

I would bet it is the base of the case that has expanded and is slightly beyond the capability of your Forster die. If this is the culprit, I would buy the NEW Lapua Small Primer pocket brass. If it is anything like the .308 Palma Brass, which I suspect it would be, that brass will eliminate that problem.

hi shootdots

i am waiting for Lapua brass, you mentioned (case that has expanded and is slightly beyond the capability of your Forster die) the Forster die will correct the base area not a problem, the problem when i adj the die for the case to chamber, the shoulder is back .006

chet

 

[ShootDots]

hi shootdots

i am waiting for Lapua brass, you mentioned (case that has expanded and is slightly beyond the capability of your Forster die) the Forster die will correct the base area not a problem, the problem when i adj the die for the case to chamber, the shoulder is back .006

chet

That is exactly what I mean. Your die should set the shoulder back no more than 3 thousandths and still get very close to the base issue. Sometimes a custom die will do this, not always. BUT the problem arises when you have a case that easily expands in that web area, creating the situation you are expounding. The NEW Lapua brass, if it is just like the .308 Palma brass or the 6.5 x 47 Lapua brass, is extremely tough and durable. Once you get your hands on that brass and bump your fired shoulders back 2-3 thousandths, I would bet that the base of the case issues will evaporate.