Fired case won't fit the die

[Mayor Tim]

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

 

[Bill Norris]

Following. .007 is a lot to move the brass at the 200 line.

 

[Mayor Tim]

Yes I agree

 

[K22]

First of all, One Shot is very unforgiving in applying lube especially on hard to size cases. You must make sure you cover the entire circumference of the case with the spray. In my experience, Imperial sizing wax does a much better job and is more forgiving in application. However, One Shot should work if applied correctly.

Second, how did you set up your sizing die?

If I'm interpreting your post correctly, it sounds like the factory ammo chambered and exacted without issue. Can you chamber a fired unsized factory case without issue?

 

[LHSmith]

What are using to measure the die?
Ditto on the one-shot- did you let it dry for a minuute?

 

[Mayor Tim]

My dial caliper. I'm using the wax not spray. Yes on the fired factory case. I have several of the Redding fl type s dies. Never encountered this problem before.

 

[LHSmith]

I would not have faith in that measurement with a caliper.

 

[K22]

I repeat, how did you set up your sizing die. Clearly something is going sideways in sizing the cases since the fired factory cases rechamber without issue per your post.

Did you measure the fired case (primer removed) head space with a bump gauge? If not, measure 5 cases and compare the measurements. How much do they vary?

How much cam over did you set your sizing die?

Did you measure the case head space after sizing? How do the before and after sizing measurements compare

 

[Liven The Dream]

On the case lube .
I was using One Shot and Case Butter on my .284 ?
Lots of Stuck Cases ?
Went with Frankfort Had some .
No more Trouble?

 

[KMart]

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 removed the recapping spindle, lubed a factory loaded cases & it went all the way in with "normal" resistance.
Please clarify.
Is this a once fired case from a factory load or is it as you state, a factory load including the bullet?

 

[dellet]

What are the measurements of the resized fired and unfired brass?

What is the chamber diameter according to the reamer print, and measurement?

If the case head is growing .005” on firing, I would be more worried about the chamber dimension than anything else. It’s either the brass is undersize, chamber over sized a hot load, soft brass or a combination.

With a maximum cartridge spec being .532” and minimum chamber of .533”, it’s not surprising to see a .525” diameter from the factory. But before you start honing out the die, knowing what it is sizing too needs to be known.

Your actual problem may be somewhere else.

 

[Mayor Tim]

The die is set with the thickness of a credit card above the shell holder. There is no camover.
After checking everything out I used a generous amount of sizing wax on the case. It is now working. Never had to use this much before.
Thanks for all the replays.

 

[K22]

I would not have faith in that measurement with a caliper.

In addition, in my experience, it takes more than average skills and technique to accurately and consistently measure case head expansion.

Also, if the case is sticking part of the way into the sizing die, is that indicative of excessive head expansion?

 

[K22]

The die is set with the thickness of a credit card above the shell holder. There is no camover.
After checking everything out I used a generous amount of sizing wax on the case. It is now working. Never had to use this much before.
Thanks for all the replays.

Setting you sizing die with a credit card is not a great idea, no insult intended. There is a potential for long term problems with this practice.

You should invest in a bump gauge; they are not expensive. You can purchase a standalone bump gauge from Whidden Gun Works for a nominal fee.

By measuring case head space, you will be able to know how much you are sizing your cases. In addition, as case age they may require some adjustment to maintain optimum sizing. Knowing and monitoring your case head space will make it much easier to precisely adjust your sizing die for optimum sizing.

 

[Mayor Tim]

I would agree. My other dies are set using a bump gauge. The 7 PRC is the biggest caliber I'm currently loading.
Thanks for all the information!
Tim

 

[mikecr]

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?

I would say both your die and your factory ammo present a big mismatch with your chamber.
Your chamber seems correct.

I wouldn't go forward with a ~7thou clearance in my chamber.
I'd get a custom or better fitting die, for better fitting brass (both).

 

[rebel107]

I had a similar problem, I found that the reamer used to cut the chamber was oversize at the .200 line by 4 thou. I had a small piece cut off the chamber end and re-cut the chamber with the correct "standard reamer" hey presto problem solved. But I did go off One shot to Imperial wax. I suggest you measure the chamber to check this measurement first.

 

[ronemus]

Even with Imperial Die Wax a clean die (I use non-chlorinated brake cleaner spray) the first case requires more wax than subsequent brass - much of it is transferred to the die from the first case after cleaning.

Did you clean the new die before use? They usually ship with corrosion inhibitor and it's pretty sticky; brake cleaner and a paper towel will usually remove it.

 

[cem]

No, honing is fine as Forster has offered honing for custom necks. In the present circumstances I suggest either reaming a custom die to match the chamber or setting back and rechambering to match the die. In the interim anything from splitting a dowel and putting some abrasive paper in the split to be spun inside the die to automotive tool honing to improvising with a neck sizing only die to keep shooting. I'd expect that if new brass fits the die then once fired (not twice or three times fired) brass should come closer to fitting.

 

[Mayor Tim]

Yes I cleaned the die. Tomorrow I'll see the gunsmith & check out the reamer print.
Thanks again for the replies