Forster coax/custom Whidden/headspace issue?

[DngBat7]

So I have a issue that i did not notice in the past. Now that I am getting into benchrest, I notice I’m measuring everything. OCD, yes.... here is my newly discovered problem. Forster coax, Whidden fl bushing die made to my fireformed lapua brass. I noticed to only bump my shoulder back .001, there is no cam over what so ever. The die does not touch the jaws. I guess maybe that’s normal. But after measuring the headspace in each piece of brass individually, the readings vary up to .002, on some, most varied .001. But I could be wrong, but what’s the norm, exact one to another? A variance of .0005? This is all top of the line equipment, but are my expectations to high?

I was thinking of getting the shellholder plate in combination with the Redding competition shell holders so I can have a little cam over and may be get things more exact??? I know this kind of defeats the purpose of the Forster free floating design, but what are my choices... Help please. Am I missing something?

 

[Deleted old_dood]

how many firings on the brass? did you wait until the brass was long enough (resistance on bolt close) before setting the die height? Whidden dies are a little shorter than most. I've had several and they've never cammed over. I use the shell holder plate but only because it's easier to switch between 223 and 308. If you go that route, make sure the plate mounting screws and the screw that secures the shell holder are kept loose. that way they can float a little.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

If you think about it, you dont want your die touching the shellplate or holder to cam over- that means your die is too long and at that moment youre out of bump if you need more. You start bumping more youll get camover on the bump. Sounds to me like you got a perfect die.

 

[WayneShaw]

When you get to measuring +- .001" in shoulder bump, the amount of lube on each case can cause the difference.

 

[Richard Coody]

Just make sure your brass is fully fireformed before setting up your shoulder bump. It is a very common mistake for beginers. No need to overwork your brass and the less sizing you do to the brass the more consistent all those measurements will be.

Everything above and i will add brass hardening from the firing/reloading cycle effects shoulder bump consistency. Annealing helps significantly.

I use the same tools and get a consistent .001 bump. No variance at all with my comparator.

 

[Chuckhunter]

Wayne Shaw hit the nail on the head. With dies that are as precise as Whidden's, the amount of lube can easily change shoulder bump up to .001 or slightly more. I lube extremely light on an old RCBS pad and even then if I'm not careful I'll get +.0005 variation which for me is more than acceptable.

 

[Uncle Ed]

Whidden Gunworks Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How do I adjust my Whidden Gunworks Full Length Resizing Die so that it is sizing my brass properly?

Answer: With the Whidden Gunworks resizing die it is not necessary for the die to touch the shell holder as in the case with most dies. Begin adjustment by placing the die in the press with the die threads setting fully extended. Next place a piece of your brass in the proper shell holder of the reloader and lower or raise the brass until the loading press is in a fully “cammed-over” position. Begin adjusting the die so that the contact surface of the die makes contact with the brass. Raise the handle of the press and adjust the die using small adjustments each time the brass is inserted into the die. Continue adjusting until the desired sizing is achieved. The die should be just above the base of the brass once the brass is sized properly.

NOTE: These directions apply only to standard Single Stage Presses. Please contact the manufacturer of your press to see if using “cammed over” is appropriate for your particular reloading press.

To ensure that proper sizing is achieved, each set of Whidden Gunworks Dies comes with our Whidden Gunworks Shoulder Bump Gauge. The Shoulder Bump Gauge works in conjunction with your calipers. The Shoulder Bump Gauge attaches to one shoulder of the calipers and allows the neck of the brass to fit internally. The calipers is then closed onto the brass with the shoulder coming to rest against the inside shoulder of the Shoulder Bump Gauge. Once the calipers stops a measurement is taken. This is the amount of shoulder setback that the sizing die is achieving. Adjust the sizing die until the desired measurement is reached. Your Whidden Gunworks Sizing Die is now set.

 

[Richard Coody]

Use just a very light coat of imperial sizing wax applied to the body only of your brass with your finger tips.

And dip the neck in imperial dry neck lube in media

Consistent every time

Dry tumble to remove

 

[DngBat7]

Thanks everyone. I figured out 2 things. One, was over lubing and was collecting inside die. I’m new to imperial. Second the click adjustable ring was causing a massive varying in bump, it’s kind of loose fitting “up and down” As soon as I took it off and put on a Forster ring, things got a lot more consistent. I don’t know why, maybe it’s just mine. I will give the die a good cleaning and see my results after next firing. As always thank you