Head Space Question

[Hollywood1009]

I had a Armalite Ar-15 .223 with RCBS dies, Loaded about 200rds ended up selling the gun and getting a Les Baer Super Varminter.... When I shoot the .223 ammo out of Les it jams up pretty bad. So some ammo I loaded shoots some doesnt. It is definetely the HS or Dies? Because I bought 20 factory rounds and NOT 1 problem and I unloaded on the target.

So my guess is I need to push back the head spacing?

Or would I be better to pull the bullet on all 200 and start from scratch?

Thanks

 

[chevytruck_83]

You may have to full length resize if your not. The body may be causing the issues also.

 

[BoydAllen]

Could the bullets be seated too long for the new rifle? Have you measured fired cases, shoulder to head, with a gauge and compared that to your reloads?

 

[kraky]

Pick up a head space measuring bushing kit...you will not regret owning this for situations like this. You may be able to correct the loaded ammo with a redding body die

 

[hogan]

Need to compare the sizing-datum line of your factory ammo with your handloads. RCBS Precision Mic is a handy tool for job like this, or a Wilson case gauge if you own dial caliper already. Can also use the gauge/mic to check dimensions on fired cases also.

Want about .0035 to .005" of forming dimension below your fired case msmt to assure function. Use higher value if you share handloads between more than one firearm. Great tool to verify what your sizing die is doing.

Probably not gonna get much out of a body die since the Armalite chamber is most likely a Wylde. Would expect the Baer to also use the Wylde unless it's a mil-spec 5.56 chamber. Maybe Baer chamber is tight dimensioned or some special match chamber? Body die or bushing die w/o bushing will NOT change shoulder dimension. FL or small-base FL die w/o decapping stem (obviously) will work. Want to be sure you don't stick the case in the die; use lube liberally.

Precision Mic is an easy to use tool, just place case in holder and tighten thimble an read mic-like markings on thimble.

Might want to call Baer and see if they have a build-sheet for your rifle. Knowing what reamer was used will be a good starting point. Baer may void your warranty if a claim develops while using handloads. May as well also know that up=front...

 

[jonbearman]

In the future I would suggest using a small base die for flawless feeding that is small base full length sizer. If your cartridge's fit the magazine and dont chamber,I will bet the shoulder develops a shiny ring around the beginning of the shoulder body junction meaning the shoulder needs to be set back a thou or two.

 

[kraky]

A body die will absolutely change shouldervdimension. I own lots of them and have reclaimed loaded ammo from other guns before.

 

[bigedp51]

A small base die is seldom needed on rifles with a military chamber due to its larger base diameter. You should also measure your cases base diameter and note that American SAAMI cases run on the small side before even considering a small base die.

In 45 years of reloading I have never needed a small base die, I have a Savage .223 and a AR15 with a 5.56 chamber. And the Savage .223 has a longer throat.

With the Hornady cartridge case headspace gauge you do not need to buy gauges for each caliber. And the RCBS Precision Mic are not calibrated to a GO gauge and can read several thousandths off scale from "zero".

 

[hogan]

Very correct about the RCBS Precision Mic not being made to any specific gage dimension.

Not like any but a Custom gunsmithed chamber on an AR-15/10 will be anything near "go-gauge" dimension or g-g + .001 or even .003.

The Precision Mic gives you a reading of relative dimension. Unfired virgin case can be very much under the -0- reference, but whatever it is; if it chambers fine in your rifle, it becomes a baseline. Maybe you own a Go-Gauge, I have several and find many uses for them. Take a g-g measurement and you have a Known absolute. Unfired case will likely be .005-.009 smaller. Fire that case in your chamber and then you have another reference.

In a bolt rifle, keeping sizing to .0005 under your fired case dimension works good, or resize only enough to get a non-binding bolt close. In semi-auto rifle, you want at least .0035" under the fired case dimension for range use; likely .005" is more prudent for field uses...

Got a decent dial caliper, then there are other cheaper gauges like the Wilson. The RCBS comes with a dummy ctg and another thimble I've never used. The dummy thing is kinda gimpy, but in theory will enable you to fine the lands and set your seater stem with more precision.

Might also have a bolt with depth from nose to boltface out of spec. Maybe your bolts got mismatched?

Don't really know how you could 'setback shoulder' with a Body Die. Think your best move with the Les Baer is to read your owners manual thoroughly and then call their service dept & have your serial # ready. Maybe they can even send you a schematic of the reamer used. You may also have gotten the last chamber cut on that particular reamer. This can result in under dimension chamber; a good thing usually for a bolt gun, but not so in a semi that needs to handle 5.56 and .223 ammunition.

 

[Hollywood1009]

Thanks guys I will take a Look at the HS and the shoulder length. I will take some measurements..



Thanks again..

 

[Rtheurer]

A body die will absolutely change shouldervdimension. I own lots of them and have reclaimed loaded ammo from other guns before.

Are you worried in case the round would go off while in the Body die? Its a not likely but if it did... that most likely not be in the users best intrest. I believe it says right in the intruction's to never use the body die to size loaded ammo?

Your creating rifle chamber when you have that round in the die. I dont think I would be hanging my face anywhere near that operation...

Just sayin it might not be the smartest choice. Please be careful.

RT

 

[kraky]

Depending on how aggressive your FL die was you can bump the shoulder easily with a body die. You are not tinkering with the primer area at all by running a loaded round in a body die. As a matter fact I've bumped shoulders with less press handle pressure than seat bullets in thick cases like wsm's.
I admit the idea sounds scary...but like I say....is really no different than seating a bullet which makes it a loaded round immediately upon insertion of the bullet.