Head spacing

[Fng65]

Okay newbie question number 2.
Should you check the head spacing of every round you make.

 

[Mikemci]

Once you get your die adjusted for the set back you want, you're good to go. Just run em.

 

[ckaberna]

Check every 10 or so to make sure.

 

[D-4297]

If you're doing a large lot , say over a hundred , I'd randomly check about one of every 15 to 20 . Stuff happens .....Better to check a few , than have to go back and re-run a bunch .

 

[JMayo]

I check my match cases, sneaking up on what I want with a PMA die tool. Sighters get checked randomly but .... My die is a custom. I'll add that it's very well done match to my chamber.
(Hats off to Brian @ Plainfield Precession, Shelby NC)

 

[Fng65]

Thank you gentleman I appreciate it

 

[mikecr]

I check every one, -for everything.
If you want same head spacing, like same seating, same primer seating, same neck tension, set-it-and-forget-it notions are usually wrong.
For bump, even if you perfectly annealed through shoulders (dipping), every firing, any slight change or buildup of lube affects results. Bullet seating forces can affect it. Hell, timing of bumping hold can affect it.

 

[243winxb]

Beware of progressive loaders. Check sizing from every station.

 

[Rhed]

I check everyone with a instant indicator die. Which is setup on the next station next to the sizing die on my t7. Though, must wipe the wax off before checking.

 

[Sundown]

Okay newbie question number 2.
Should you check the head spacing of every round you make.

YES!!!

 

[joshb]

I check every one......but I’m retired and obsessive compulsive.

 

[Lone Hunter]

I check every one......but I’m retired and obsessive compulsive.

I'm like Josh. Well retired anyway. My wife says I'm anything but obsessive compulsive unless it comes to shooting. I do check every one whether it be match or blasting ammo. I want it done right and no surprises.

 

[Fng65]

I check every one......but I’m retired and obsessive compulsive.

I have a Lee full length sizing die. Do those particular dies take care of headspace or am I going to have to run 150 rounds of 243 over again

 

[dolek]

Lee will work just fine.

 

[cw308]

Fng65
Full lenth sizing whether benchrest or hunting is the way to go IMO , you just have to be careful in oversizing the cases . I'm a benchrest shooter only , I full length size every time keeping my headspace .001 to .002 no more or less . Redding makes a kit of Competition Shellholders you can size to desired headspace , the deck heights are lower then the standard , 5 different shellholders with a .002 difference in height . Something to look into . Also make sure you trim and chamfer your cases , when sizing if a case has more resistance , lower your ram and add alittle more lube , you don't want a stuck case , trust me that only happens once , just want to save you from the nightmare . You don't have to over lube just lube and keep your cases clean before sizing , dies also . Hope I Helped in some way .

Chris

 

[Zero333]

Hornady Headspace comparator is the tool most of us use when sizing brass. Measure base to shoulder datum.

I deprime the fist several pieces before sizing so the measurement from the base to datum is not influenced by a minutely cratered primer.

Most of us aim for around 0.002" shoulder bump during Full Length sizing.

I find most Full Length dies when set up to overcam (as per die instructions) will bump the shoulder more than 0.005" and in some cases more than 0.007", which is too much and will reduce brass life and could even be the cause of case head separation when repeatedly FL sizing more than necessary.

I have almost 300 pieces of Winchester 308win brass that I've reloaded more than 2 dozen times over the last several years. Just recently I scrapped the first piece of this batch of brass due to a split neck.
Bumping the shoulder 0.002" is the perfect amount.

 

[joshb]

I have a Lee full length sizing die. Do those particular dies take care of headspace or am I going to have to run 150 rounds of 243 over again

Read zero333’s post.
Most factory dies will push a shoulder back enough to fit in any factory chamber when contacting the shell holder. Setting a die for .02 setback provides minimum headspace clearance and helps prolong brass life. It gets tricky if some of your brass springs back more than others. Some of those may not chamber in your rifle and you’ll have to pull them apart and resize them. That’s why I measure every one when it comes out of the die.

 

[dolek]

Josh is spot on . I use a RCBS small base die for my AR .223 rounds . I was bumping my shoulders back today,aiming for 4 thou . Brand "A" brass was fine,had a few Brand "B" I decided to size...could feel the difference in the two. Brand "B" was only bumping 2 thou,had to dial the die a hair more to achieve my goal due to springback . I find it easier on my mind to measure every single one,I hate surprises.

 

[Metal God]

No not if you’re using Redding competition shell holders properly .

 

[Dusty Stevens]

No not if you’re using Redding competition shell holders properly .

If youre using them according to the instructions with off the shelf dies youre bumping at least .005 too much so there is that to consider