Help, Forsters Bushing Bump Neck Sizing Dies

[xtightg]

Hi all I am having problems reloading my .243 win.
Getting vertical stringing and poor grouping.
I am using a Forsters neck bushing / bump die with Lapua cases.
Feels like their is a ridge inside the bottom of the neck.
The bullet goes into the case as normal then hits the ridge or obstruction and requires more force to seat it then seams to click past the obstruction to seat at the required depth.
The force required is deforming the projectile and forming a ring from the seating die.
This ridge is giving inconsistent neck tension and stringing.
Previously used a Lee collet die no problems other than the cases being a tight fit for many years.
Am I doing something wrong, is the die forming an internal ridge when it bumps the shoulder , I thought the Forsters die would cure tight fitting cases and neck size but has given more problems. !!!!!!!!.
Any advice ?. ???

 

[wapiti25]

You are feeling "the dougnt". Brass flows along the shoulder to the base of the neck. Neck turning or neck boring usually takes care of this.

 

[xtightg]

Yea just as I thought no mention of this in the instructions or advertising that I am aware of.
Thanks for your response.

 

[JabaliHunter]

Sounds like you need Zediker's book on handloading... Its not a die problem, its a process problem i.e. neck sizing with a bushing die

 

[expiper]

Change the FB

the problem can be solved by changing the Freebore also...Roger

 

[NorCalMikie]

Or, trying a different style (shorter) bullet like a boat tail over a flat base. Where are seating your bullets? Jam or jump? You might be able to stuff them into the lands and be OK?

 

[BoydAllen]

Exactly how far are you bumping back shoulders with the new die?

 

[xtightg]

As per the instructions to till the shell holder touches the die with a Lee hand held press.
I have the Redding Competition bushing dies for my 308 although the 155 gr do not use the full length of the neck no problems so far.
I have to seat the 95 gr vld into the 243 case even touching the lands.
How do you remove the ridge from inside the case.
Thanks all

 

[BoydAllen]

The instructions are wrong. You need a way to measure bump. Buy a tool from Sinclair to go on your dial calipers. How many cases are involved? It may be easier to start over with new brass, being more careful about shoulder bump, which should only be .001 shorter than a case that has been neck sized till snug. BTW IMO bump dies are a waste of steel, because they don't do a thing to size the base of the case. As you move the shoulder back, the thicker brass, at the top of the shoulder becomes the base of the neck. This is one of the big reasons that keeping track of bump is important, the other is the potential for a separated case head after several loadings. As far as removing the donut goes you will need a reamer. You can talk to the people at Forster about that.

 

[jo191145]

All good answers above

Heres another cheap method you can try. Assuming your 243 is a factory gun with loose neck tolerances.

How far down the neck is your bushing sizing?
Adjust your bushing to size less of the neck. After the next time you shoot this brass (short bullets recommended) the donut will blow to the outside of the neck. As long as your bushing is set high enough to not size it back in you should be good to go. Could be turned off also.

How many times has this brass been reloaded? Might be best to start fresh.

As Boyd said. The instructions are wrong. Always have been probably always will be.
You need the capability to measure the headspace of your brass if using a FL or bump die.

 

[Mikem]

If I recall correctly, Foresters instructions say to turn down the adjuster on the die until it bottoms out on the bushing, then back it off 1/8 to 1/4 turn. This way you wont be sizing the whole neck.

Boyds suggestion is a good one, get the tool, you will use it often, I dont think I could reload with out it. Then you will know how much to bump, the less the better, and my die never touches the shell holder. I have mine set at .0015 shorter than the chamber, and neck size all but the bottom 1/8". And have not had a donut problem yet.
With this die, your cases will, at some point get to fat in the body, and you will either have to FL resize them, and start all over, or use a Redding body only die, witch I suggest, and only move the body in the minimum amount for a snug fit in your chamber.

 

[xtightg]

Hey thanks for your comments guys.
I was working from the book of instructions
Made up some ammo same bullet new cases and using my 20 year old Lee collet die 0.007 jump 40.5 grains ADI AR2209 or H4350 to you guys in the northern hemisphere Federal 210 primer.
well at 100 yards all were in the same hole almost group size 0.166" measured with my Sinclair digital calipers I am a happy chappy again if I new how to post photos I would.
I did check the head space for the bullet seating using the Hornady comparator.
Again no mention in the instructions regarding the dreaded donut o well make sure you avoid the donut.
I had a look on YouTube setting up the lee collet die http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhTUgytUGnM think i will get spare mandrels fit them in a drill and use emery paper to make differing neck tensions and purchase a Redding sizing die as suggested. Thanks Guys