Fired case won't fit the die

[ronemus]

New brass is usually set to SAAMI minimum dimensions (probably to head off legal issues) and will have generous clearance in a SAAMI maximum chamber, and even a minimum chamber. How does your chamber compare to SAAMI dimensions? I usually specify a SAAMI minimum chamber for my barrels, and sometimes use a custom reamer with smaller neck and longer leade.

 

[ebb]

ronemus has hit the nail on the head, I think you chamber is too big.

 

[L.Sherm]

I dont know how you can get brass to size smaller than factory brass thats never been fired unless the horny brass is softer than I thought.
PRC is .525 saami I believe if you truly are able to go down to .523 you have a die problem.
I believe most of the dies for the 6.5 and 300 were only sizing brass to .530, I wonder if Redding cut there dies smaller to try and fix the clicker issues that the 6.5 and 300 have

 

[JB10]

I was woundering if this cartridge would have some sizing issues, just like the 6.5 and 300 prc. I have issues with my 6.5 but i think i might have it worked out. I dont have issues during the sizing process but fitting in chamber after sizing. My brass fits just fine in 2 other rifles when i was trying to figure out issue. With time will see if anyone else has issues before i think about this cartridge.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

You said you
"lubed a factory loaded cases & it went all the way in with "normal" resistance"

I find this hard to believe unless you removed the bullet prior to running it the die. Sure, it will go in easily until the neck reaches the neck portion of the die. At this point you will be "trying to size the brass case neck and the jacketed bullet".

Frank

 

[Mayor Tim]

At the start of my post, I stated that I removed the spindle from the die. At that point you can see through the die.

 

[Drolds72]

ronemus has hit the nail on the head, I think you chamber is too big.

^^^^This. If the chamber was only a bit larger than the reamer, you would be asking how to fix clickers. Sounds like this chamber jumped over the clicker problem and into an oversized situation. Custom dies or set the chamber back with a reamer with a smaller base.

 

[WSnyder]

My dial caliper.

You cannot accurately measure the ID of a round hole with a caliper. You can guess and fudge a bit but not accurately measure it.

.523 you have a die problem.

He measured the die at .523 with a dial caliper. No doubt the die is larger than that.

 

[Webster]

I just had a 7 PRC built. It's on a Surgeon long action, Bartlein 1:8 twist, #4 Bull Sporter 26". I have fired 30 rounds of Hornady Precision Hunter 175gr ELD-X ammo.
I received my Redding 7PRC fl type s die. Used Hornady one shot case sizing wax on the first case. Ran the case in & about half way I could tell it was very tight. Pulled it out inspected everything & tried again. This time I forced it in & guess what STUCK!
I managed to get the stuck case out. Started measuring the fired cases. The fired cases measure .530 at the base. Factory loaded cases measure .525 at the base. I removed the recapping spindle, lubed a factory loaded cases & it went all the way in with "normal" resistance. Measuring just inside the base of the die it's .523.
Does this for need honed & who can do this?
Thanks in advance for replays.
Tim

I stated many times on this website that I use a light vis petroleum oil. Apparently sizing cases doesn't require the best lube available since there are so many concoctions people are happy with. Petroleum oil has superior film strength to just about anything else. This means it does a good job forming a film separating 2 sliding surfaces from each other. I used to use a light vis synthetic oil I got from work. Retired now and had to find something to replace it. I went to Auto Zone and bought a qt. of petroleum oil based hydraulic fluid for about $8.50. It’s a light viscosity. I thought it might contain Sulphur compounds that would stain the cases. It didn’t stain. Works great, very smooth to size and very little pressure on the press lever.

 

[Nicklas]

At the start of my post, I stated that I removed the spindle from the die. At that point you can see through the die.

Did you clean the die ahead of using it? That oil is notorious to get your cases stuck inside the die

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

"At the start of my post, I stated that I removed the spindle from the die. At that point you can see through the die."

Yes I was aware of spindle removal. Yes at that point you can see through the die but the neck diameter of the die is smaller than the diameter of a loaded rounds neck. Hence once the end of the neck hits the neck area of the die it's going to get real tight because you will be sizing the brass and the bullet unless the bullet is removed. Did not see where you mentioned removing the bullet. Was wondering it that could have been the "normal resistance" you mentioned.

Frank

 

[KMart]

"At the start of my post, I stated that I removed the spindle from the die. At that point you can see through the die."

Yes I was aware of spindle removal. Yes at that point you can see through the die but the neck diameter of the die is smaller than the diameter of a loaded rounds neck. Hence once the end of the neck hits the neck area of the die it's going to get real tight because you will be sizing the brass and the bullet unless the bullet is removed. Did not see where you mentioned removing the bullet. Was wondering it that could have been the "normal resistance" you mentioned.

Frank

Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Albany Mountain]

Send a fired round and the die back to manufacturer and see what they say.

 

[Mayor Tim]

That is a type s bushing die. The bushing was removed. I am in the process of sending parts back.
Thanks Tim

 

[Greyfox]

You don't get bolt click from having a larger chamber. Bolt click happens when the die isn't set correctly or won't size brass enough because it's too large. The SAAMI spec for a 7 PRC seems to be .533 for the base. While I might be surprised that the die is sizing down to .523, I would like that. It means I wouldn't get bolt click. Tight chambers means the die won't size down enough. There is a machinist I know that makes good $$ making ring dies that only size the very bottom of a case (PPC & BR). I suspect this isn't a die issue, it's a lube issue.

Rick
YMMV

 

[mikecr]

Sizing near webs 7-8thou is definitely not the correct action, or normal.
There is not a situation, in any industry, where excess sizing or excess clearance is prudent.

You don't get popping extraction from lack of clearance. You get it from interference fit with your chamber and/or bad bolt timing. The interference occurs due to insufficient breech support for case pressure and area.
Excess sizing is only a band-aid for one firing at a time, and is not 'good' for cases nor consistent load pressures. Given this, it's better to address a root cause for YOUR problem, and accept that good reloaders who don't have your issue, can act appropriately and be just fine.

The SAAMI spec for a 7 PRC seems to be .533 for the base. While I might be surprised that the die is sizing down to .523, I would like that.

You should be surprised, and you should never accept anything like that.
It's not even in the same zip code as right.

 

[Greyfox]

Sizing near webs 7-8thou is definitely not the correct action, or normal.
There is not a situation, in any industry, where excess sizing or excess clearance is prudent.

You don't get popping extraction from lack of clearance. You get it from interference fit with your chamber and/or bad bolt timing. The interference occurs due to insufficient breech support for case pressure and area.
Excess sizing is only a band-aid for one firing at a time, and is not 'good' for cases nor consistent load pressures. Given this, it's better to address a root cause for YOUR problem, and accept that good reloaders who don't have your issue, can act appropriately and be just fine.

You should be surprised, and you should never accept anything like that.
It's not even in the same zip code as right.

You are certainly welcome to your opinion. I have my PPC size cases speced to .005 over new case dimensions and I know a gunsmith shooter who has his BR cases spec to .007 and .008 oversize. (You probably know him as well). He has magnum cases speced to .010-.012 oversized. He has never had a problem and doesn't get bolt click. As I said YMMV, but you are mistaken to suggest this is an unsafe method. BTW- I NEVER get bolt click.

Rick

 

[Old Navy]

You said you
"lubed a factory loaded cases & it went all the way in with "normal" resistance"

I find this hard to believe unless you removed the bullet prior to running it the die. Sure, it will go in easily until the neck reaches the neck portion of the die. At this point you will be "trying to size the brass case neck and the jacketed bullet".

Frank

Maybe and maybe not. There is a generous hole under the bushing in my 6.5X284 die. You can easily drop a 7mm bullet right through.