Help. Setting up Redding body die. Major FUBAR...

[Danattherock]

Got Lee neck collet and Redding body die in today. Lee was a sweet and easy set up. I get body die out, feeling fairly confident as I have been using Redding deluxe die set. I clean the die and have lubed Lapua brass ready.

Put die in and take down to shell holder, then back off 1/2-3/4 turn, just to get things started. Stuck case. ???

20 minutes later, repeat process after getting all the brass shavings out of my rock Chucker and cleaning inside of die. This time I put die in, run to touch shell holder, then back off two full turns, run a piece of brass, feel it just slightly touch. I get headspace gauge out just to see, it hasn't touched the shoulder. So I tighten one full turn. So now die is one full turn off the shell holder. Stuck case!

I had my other redding die set up barely off the shell holder, less than 1/8 turn. Yet this body die is stuck at one full revolution out? I thought the common approach was to make die touch shell holder then back out 1/4-1/2 turn and start going down. I lubed with RCBS pad like usual, saw the greasy film, cases were lubed. Called redding and got busy signal.

Aside from reminding me I'm the village idiot, any suggestions?


Dan

 

[Danattherock]

Forgot to say, I did neck size the cases with Lee collet neck sizer. Per instructions, just down enough that a bullet wouldn't fit in case mouth. Very slight collet imprints on some cases, none on others. Light pressure, under did this if anything.

Afterwards I rechecked headspace and it was unaffected. I had read overdoing the Lee neck collet can put pressure on the shoulder.

 

[CatShooter]

Got Lee neck collet and Redding body die in today. Lee was a sweet and easy set up. I get body die out, feeling fairly confident as I have been using Redding deluxe die set. I clean the die and have lubed Lapua brass ready.

Put die in and take down to shell holder, then back off 1/2-3/4 turn, just to get things started. Stuck case. ???

20 minutes later, repeat process after getting all the brass shavings out of my rock Chucker and cleaning inside of die. This time I put die in, run to touch shell holder, then back off two full turns, run a piece of brass, feel it just slightly touch. I get headspace gauge out just to see, it hasn't touched the shoulder. So I tighten one full turn. So now die is one full turn off the shell holder. Stuck case!

I had my other redding die set up barely off the shell holder, less than 1/8 turn. Yet this body die is stuck at one full revolution out? I thought the common approach was to make die touch shell holder then back out 1/4-1/2 turn and start going down. I lubed with RCBS pad like usual, saw the greasy film, cases were lubed. Called redding and got busy signal.

Aside from reminding me I'm the village idiot, any suggestions?


Dan

Why didn't you say what calibre and what lube - it DOES make a difference.

 

[Danattherock]

RCBS lube on RCBS pad. 223

Thanks.

 

[CatShooter]

RCBS lube on RCBS pad. 223

Thanks.

That is weird - I use RCBS-II lube and I have use a Redding body die on more 223 cases than you would believe... send the die and some cases to Redding - they will make it right.

 

[Patch700]

My guess Dan is that the brass you are trying to run through the body die is slightly oversized , particularly rite below the shoulder and this is why you are experiencing such a tight fit before you even get the case 1/2 way up in the die.. For a joke take a measurement of your fired brass rite below the shoulder junction.. Then try running it up into the body die when it is a good full revolution off the shell holder... Then measure that same place and let us know what you find.

 

[Danattherock]

Will do. With 3 month old daughter now.

Anything about Lee neck collet could cause this?

This is Lapua brass I've loaded and shot several times in recent weeks through AR with new Krieger. I have been using redding deluxe dies till today. Maybe I should run one of the Lee neck collet sized pieces through my normal redding FL sizing die. It's set about a 1/12 turn off shell holder. Will be nasty if it's in fact the Lee neck collet introducing a variable.


Redding tech said to smear imperial inside die and if that didn't work, send them the die with five spent cases. What a PIA. Sending defective Forster Ultra seater back to them tomm. This pursuit of less runout is like slamming my pecker in a door.


Dan

 

[CatShooter]

My guess Dan is that the brass you are trying to run through the body die is slightly oversized , particularly rite below the shoulder and this is why you are experiencing such a tight fit before you even get the case 1/2 way up in the die.. For a joke take a measurement of your fired brass rite below the shoulder junction.. Then try running it up into the body die when it is a good full revolution off the shell holder... Then measure that same place and let us know what you find.

I have sized fired machine gun cases with a 223 body die with no problems what-so-ever.

If there are bits of brass on the ram, there is a problem - one of their body dies in 22-250 was sooo rough that it left brass shavings on the ram of my press - it had never been polished before hardening.

Nothing in the Lee could cause this.

It happens to the best of them....

 

[CatShooter]

"This pursuit of less runout is like slamming my pecker in a door. "

Dan

It is the price you pay for OCD

 

[Danattherock]

The tech rep said something about them polishing inside the die if I returned it. I have 2 year old son, 3 month old daughter, and a 85 lb german Shepard raising Cain. Could hardly hear the helpful redding tech guy.

I did notice the die was very coarse being screwed into press. Doubt it's related, but very coarse in a few places on threading.

 

[LawrenceHanson]

Your post is confusing. You say your case became “stuck” in your body sizing die. But in the same post you were able to remove it. Yet you stated you did the same thing 20 minutes later. But you are concerned because your case is “stuck” in the die. Is this correct?
Define “stuck”. Is the case stuck in the die now?

Try the simple things first. Look at the caliber stamping on the reloading die and the cartridge case. Are they the same? If the case is no longer “stuck” inside the die try this; clean the die, clean the case, properly lubricate the inside of the die and the outside of the case. Put the case in the reloading press and run it up to the top with no die at all. Screw the die into the press until you can feel it make contact with the case. Lower the case. Then screw the die in one quarter turn and then shove the case into it and pull it back out. Repeat until you have sized the case to properly fit your chamber. If that doesn’t work, something is very wrong.

I think you need to review some basic reloading manuals that cover the fundamentals. That or you need to find a reloading mentor. I am of the impression you simply don’t have a feel for the effort required to size a case. You need to understand that not all dies are the same, even those from the same manufacturer in the same caliber. I am also of the opinion that you are counting on internet advice to get you through your learning curve. The best advice I can provide is to think the process through and learn on your own. That or just stay in front of your computer hoping the correct answer to your question will come through. Hopefully you will recognize the correct answer when you see it, because on the internet, you with receive just about every answer imaginable.

 

[geraldgee]

+1 on the advice above.

Use fired but unsized brass in your further attempts to resolve the issues with your body die. The more variables you can remove from your process, the easier it will be to determine what you have. In other words, try it without neck sizing.

May I also suggest that you walk away from your reloading bench until you can return without distraction. Too many bad things happen to folks through simple reloading errors. Sounds like you have a some folks relying on you to stay healthy. Make sure you do....AND good luck!

Gerald

 

[Danattherock]

Read step two from this sites article about properly setting up a full size die.

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2012/12/full-length-sizing-die-set-up-tip-from-sinclair-international/

I did this and the case got stuck, IN THE DIE. This was the 2nd time it happened. Cases are lubed. Die was cleaned prior to use. The die was backed off shell holder one full turn and the properly lubed case got stuck. Using same technique as I have hundreds of times in recent weeks. Only thing different is I'm using a Redding body die rather than my normal dies, a Redding Deluxe 3 die set.

Is it normal for cases to stick in a sizing die that is off the shell holder?



Dan





Lawrence,

Your condescending comments obviously don't help me. So I assume you are just getting your rocks off by salting my wounds. Reveals a great deal about your character.

You say my post is confusing because I said case was stuck and 20 minutes later with brass shavings all over I'm up and running again. Anyone can deduce I just used a stuck case removal tool. Then you ask me if I'm using 223 brass in 223 dies?? Are you #%+€#%~ serious?

 

[LawrenceHanson]

Best of luck to you!

 

[Danattherock]

You should have just said that the first time.

 

[snert]

Send them the die and the 5 cases. You have another set to keep you going. They will fix it or advise you what the issue is

 

[Greyfox]

Read step two from this sites article about properly setting up a full size die.

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2012/12/full-length-sizing-die-set-up-tip-from-sinclair-international/

I did this and the case got stuck, IN THE DIE. This was the 2nd time it happened. Cases are lubed. Die was cleaned prior to use. The die was backed off shell holder one full turn and the properly lubed case got stuck. Using same technique as I have hundreds of times in recent weeks. Only thing different is I'm using a Redding body die rather than my normal dies, a Redding Deluxe 3 die set.

Is it normal for cases to stick in a sizing die that is off the shell holder?



Dan





Lawrence,

Your condescending comments obviously don't help me. So I assume you are just getting your rocks off by salting my wounds. Reveals a great deal about your character.

You say my post is confusing because I said case was stuck and 20 minutes later with brass shavings all over I'm up and running again. Anyone can deduce I just used a stuck case removal tool. Then you ask me if I'm using 223 brass in 223 dies?? Are you #%+€#%~ serious?

Just a suggestion...take a deep breath and cool down a bit. I didn't see anything that this guy said as giving you grief. I wondered the same things myself. If you are going to come on this forum and ask advise you might try to be patient with the answers you get. Most of us are willing to help, but we sometimes need a little more information. Don't assume anyone is yanking your chain. Most of us have made mistakes or had problems with a tool or a load and we are willing to help.

Rick

 

[Highpower-FClass]

Dan, I use what seems to be an identical setup for my 223 development, I have a RCBS Rock Chucker, Redding body die (bought separately, not as part of a set), a Lee collet die, I use a RCBS lube pad with RCBS lube. I have never had a case even close to sticking in the body die even when the lube is applied sparingly.

I am thinking something must be wrong with your body die, I cannot see how the Lee collet die could be a factor. Hope you get it sorted.

 

[Patch700]

Sent you a pm Dan.... Listen before you get carried away let's get to the brass tacks.

You found success in your sizing procedure some time ago with regards to setting up your F/L sizing die and figuring out how to achieve a desired amount of bump... However upon further inspection you've now noticed that you have excessive runout.

OK so let's talk about runout , did you check your runout numbers after you switched to the Lee collet die? Seems to me if you wait to check runout till after you run them through the body die you'd only be guessing as to WHEN runout was introduced .

Good luck

 

[Danattherock]

Dan, I use what seems to be an identical setup for my 223 development, I have a RCBS Rock Chucker, Redding body die (bought separately, not as part of a set), a Lee collet die, I use a RCBS lube pad with RCBS lube. I have never had a case even close to sticking in the body die even when the lube is applied sparingly.

I am thinking something must be wrong with your body die, I cannot see how the Lee collet die could be a factor. Hope you get it sorted.

The redding rep said about the same. Thanks man.