FL sizing die set up for beginners

[Gibbons85]

Thought I'd share this, as i struggled with the concept of setting up FL sizing dies to bump the shoulder on fire formed brass.
By using a set of cheap feeler gauges, i run the ram of my press to the top of the stroke. Screw the FL die in while placing a feeler gauge starting with .008 in between the shell holder and the die. When the die makes contact with the guage tighten the lock ring on the die. Resize said brass and check to see if it chambers easily. If not use a smaller feeler gauge in increments of .002 until desired shoulder bump is achieved.
This works great, and saved me from spending money on a set of competition shell holders.
Hope this helps somebody, and any other insight would be appreciated!

 

[Nicklas]

Or

 

[jepp2]

This works great, and saved me from spending money on a set of competition shell holders.

Nothing wrong with your approach. Many ways to set your die properly.

1. Do not read the directions that come with some die sets that tell you to screw the die down until it contacts the shell holder with the ram in the raised position, then lower the ram and screw the die down another 1/4 turn.

I've been loading a long time since I am old. And way back before all the nice tools existed to measure the case head to datum, some would smoke the shoulder with a candle then close the bolt to see if the shoulder was making contact.

But there are so many effective ways to measure the amount you are moving the shoulder these days. Just keep in mind, the shoulder moves forward as the body squeezes in before the die moves the shoulder back. So just measuring and keep lowering your die a very small amount until you get the shoulder movement you want. I size for 0.001" from bolt contact (not from the fired position since the brass is normally short of bolt contact). I can feel the die contact the shoulder or if it isn't. And I'm doing almost all my sizing on a Redding Big Boss single stage press which has a tremendous amount of leverage.

These help you understand what is happening and how much to move your die. Courtesy of Unclenick from TFL forum.


See how much that recommended 1/4 turn is?

 

[Gibbons85]

Thanks! Great info jepp, and nicklass that was one of my biggest struggles. Especially since i spend a lot of time working with 22 hornet brass. I kept over working the cases by setting my die by the instructions. Im trying to not get carried away with purchases, and finding the datum, and finely adjusting my dies with the equipment i have was challenging.

 

[Fast14riot]

Thanks! Great info jepp, and nicklass that was one of my biggest struggles. Especially since i spend a lot of time working with 22 hornet brass. I kept over working the cases by setting my die by the instructions. Im trying to not get carried away with purchases, and finding the datum, and finely adjusting my dies with the equipment i have was challenging.

If you do not have a headspace comparator, a 9mm case or 40s&w case can be used in a pinch. Just use the same case every time. 9 or 40 depends on the case you're measuring and what the datum diameter is, but either will get you close.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Only move the shoulder on bolt gun cases when you notice closing the bolt effort has increased. Hunting rifles need the bolt to close easily. New cases maybe 8 or 10 thousandth or more "short" of factory chambers and need a couple firings to fully expand, so don't "bump" short cases.

 

[SmokinJoe]

Seems that most Hornet shooters don't FL size, just neck size with something like a Lee Collett Die. Hope you are a saubier.com reaser. Agree with all the above for regular bottle neck cartridges.

 

[JFrank]

Thought I'd share this, as i struggled with the concept of setting up FL sizing dies to bump the shoulder on fire formed brass.
By using a set of cheap feeler gauges, i run the ram of my press to the top of the stroke. Screw the FL die in while placing a feeler gauge starting with .008 in between the shell holder and the die. When the die makes contact with the guage tighten the lock ring on the die. Resize said brass and check to see if it chambers easily. If not use a smaller feeler gauge in increments of .002 until desired shoulder bump is achieved.
This works great, and saved me from spending money on a set of competition shell holders.
Hope this helps somebody, and any other insight would be appreciated!

Yep' .001 increments if needed. Been doing this way since Guffey beat it into my head.