? head space, a different ?

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6BRA-
I have a set of Redding comp shell holders. When I use the #4 I get .002 - .003 head space. If I use a #2 or a standard shell holder I get the same head space reading. I'm bumping my Harrell's fl die in a rockchucker and only changing the shell holder. I think I have a small problem because periodically I have slight bolt click on a fired round. I don't anneal so maybe this is the problem? Or don't I have a problem? ;}

ty Don

 

[4xforfun]

How hot is your load. The death click is usually related to high PSI. Now...if your headspace is wildly off......like .010+ then maybe.

 

[piie]

Use something like the Hornady comparator (or whatever brand you fancy) and measure the cases BEFORE you size. More likely than not, you are seeing this because some of the cases simply are not sizing at all (they have not grown long/large enough). PanhandlePrecision Youtube channel had a great video from a couple of years back where he showed that you cannot/should not just use one setting to bump all your brass. He sorts his brass and has a setting/shellholder for each set...

 

[dellet]

The shell competition shell holders work opposite of what you are thinking.

The standard holder will produce the shortest base to datum/maximum headspace.
The #10 will produce the longest base to datum/minimum headspace.

They won't bump back more than the standard, only less. So if you have heavy bolt lift or click due to lack of headspace on brass sized with the standard holder, using a plus holder will only make it worse.

 

[M-61]

When I use the #4 I get .002 - .003 head space

Lost me. Headspace is in the chamber. Once set it will not change. I missing something here with your problem. Probably me.

 

[txtaxman]

6BRA-
I have a set of Redding comp shell holders. When I use the #4 I get .002 - .003 head space. If I use a #2 or a standard shell holder I get the same head space reading. I'm bumping my Harrell's fl die in a rockchucker and only changing the shell holder. I think I have a small problem because periodically I have slight bolt click on a fired round. I don't anneal so maybe this is the problem? Or don't I have a problem? ;}

ty Don

Are you setting the sizing die so that there is cam over at the top of the stroke? In the situation you described, there should be no space between the bottom of the die and the top of the shell holder when the case is being sized. If there is a gap, turn the sizing die in until there is cam over and no gap.

I have found that setting up for cam over and pausing a few seconds at the top of the sizing stroke results in the most consistent case head to datum measurements. My press is also a RockChucker, and there is quite a bit of slack in the linkage. Additionally, some cases have the ability to resist sizing more than others, even in the same batch, likely due to lubrication, work hardening, etc.

 

[divingin]

Take a look at your die-to-shellholder gap when the ram is fully up (case fully into the die.)

I'm guessing your die is set up for proper bump, and a combination of lube inconsistency and press stretch is giving you variation. I may be wrong though.

In any case, Piie's suggestion should help get info on what's causing the click. If it isn't length from base to shoulder, it'll probably be web diameter. Trust that tools do what they're supposed to, but verify that they do.

M-61: Yeah, you are technically correct, but everyone knows what he's talking about, so...

 

[mike mccormick]

Often, the click is caused not by the length from case head to shoulder, but by the diameter growth at a point just forward of the case head. ( think small base die). You need to take measurements and find the problem. If you take steps to shorten head to shoulder until the click goes away( like machining off the base of the die or top of shell holder) you may end up with excessive headspace.

 

[CharlieNC]

Guffy? Where are you?

 

[D-4297]

I may suggest that you may find annealing to also be a possible solution . Cases don't always re-size to the same dimensions because it's the nature of metals , whether they're from the same lot , or not . My annealed cases finish at .000 / -.001 ...I only bump .001 so a case that goes "to far" is only .002 , and I very seldom have hard bolt lift shooting a moderately stout comp load .

 

[jr600yd]

I had a similar experience drove me nuts! I Finally figured it out. I would measure a fired case and set my sizing die up to bump the shoulder .002. Sometimes it worked sometimes not. Turned out the problem was the fired primer. If the primer stands proud even as little as .001 it messes up the shoulder bump.
Now I de-prime my brass before taking any measurements. De-capping dies are cheap and cured my headache.