How much FL sizing is too much

[lurch1]

Howdy
I am new here and beginning my reloading for a semiautomatic rifle.
I have 2000 range fired brass from a wholesaler.
I intend to find a safe load and then load it all. I don't care if this brass gets fired after that.
My question is if I follow the Hornady instructions to have the shell holder and bottom of the die touch and then crank it down another quarter turn after lowering the press handle, will this be dangerous because of too much sizing?
I don't want too much space but I am not sure how to know what is too much.
I have a Dillon case gage but no other measuring devices. This is a 308 Belgian made FAL.
I know this is a precision reloading forum but I also know people here have a lot of experience.
Thank you for giving me any advice you have.

 

[Eagle Six]

For fired range brass and your FAL, I would follow the loading manual. And, Welcome to the forum.

 

[Doom]

Assuming you are dealing with one-fired LC or other military cases you are likely to find some cases fired through a machine gun. These cases are likely blown out in the base area and may not chamber in the FAL. You will need to obtain a good 308 case gauge to check each piece after resizing or use a small base die. IF not done already military brass will have crimped in primers and the crimp must be removed prior to re-priming.

It sounds as if you are new to reloading based on your question. What is important is to not set the shoulder back further than necessary. Generally the die instructions will set it back further than necessary but should still be safe. The only way to be certain as what is necessary is with a head space comparator and several cases fired in your rifle.

 

[GLShooter]

I would adjust my due to bump shoulders to fit my chamber. Going to the holder plus a quarter often results in excessive headspaced cases. Not good.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Going by your description of use, I would have a good ammo checker and I would use it to set the die to size to minimum saami (low step on checker) and I often size a thou under min if the rounds will be used in below freezing temps. Of course use the checker for finished rds(every rd)to insure 100% functionality since you stated no reuse of the brass. Semi auto brass must drop fit in and out of the checker, any brass that doesn't size consistent with the batch should be recycled. If crimping is required (common with some auto loaders and pumps/lever) brass will need to be length trimmed to uniformity after sizing. Function is apart of safety.

 

[lurch1]

Thanks for the knowledge. I omitted the fact that the brass is all PMC.
Thanks again

 

[243winxb]

I have 2000 range fired brass

Small base die needed. Loading all 2000, bad idea. Load in 100 round lots,as needed.
Less bullet pulling if a mistake is made.

Normally, fl die to shell holder works. But if shoulder is pushed back .010" or more, case separation may happen. Not so much on 1 firing.

Guns headspace? Is this guns user adjustable? May need checked.

 

[lurch1]

Ok thanks. Maybe the hundred at a time is reasonable. Unfortunately I cannot afford more dies so with the information you have all provided, I think I can use the case gauge and the chamber so I can reach a good size.
I did plan to load up a few at a time with increased charges although I don't need to go anywhere close to max.
It has an adjustable gas system that I can maybe use for the load I use.
Thanks

 

[bozo699]

Thanks for the knowledge. I omitted the fact that the brass is all PMC.
Thanks again

Lurch 1:
I see you been on here for years just not active so welcome. Most on here don’t follow manufacturers instructions however if you follow Hornadays instructions and especially since you don’t care after first loading you will be fine. If you want it better than that and you have no measuring equipment, run the die down until it touches and size a piece of brass then see if it will chamber easily if not screw die in a little and try again until it does, lock it down and go to loading, don’t go past factory instructions that you mentioned
Wayne

 

[243winxb]

A progressive press, dillon, needs Fl Sizing, case head to datum measured from each station.

 

[lurch1]

Lurch 1:
I see you been on here for years just not active so welcome. Most on here don’t follow manufacturers instructions however if you follow Hornadays instructions and especially since you don’t care after first loading you will be fine. If you want it better than that and you have no measuring equipment, run the die down until it touches and size a piece of brass then see if it will chamber easily if not screw die in a little and try again until it does, lock it down and go to loading, don’t go past factory instructions that you mentioned
Wayne

Thank you and yes, I joined many years ago but I ended up over seas and now, finally, I have some time to spend with my rifle. I inherited it and my reloading equipment.
Thanks to you all for bringing me clarity as to how to proceed.
I am medically retired so I have a lot of time to work with this.
I can use everyone's advice to get me where I want to go.
I was given thousands of cases from diamond brass surplus and have sorted it all and have set aside military brass for now as I don't have the swagger for the primer pockets.
Thanks again

 

[markm87]

I'd size a few on the high side of the Dillon and see if they'll chamber without sticking when you manually eject an unloaded empty case.

Too little sizing, and you can get some rounds that won't go all the way into battery. Too much and you'll get case separations. The dillon case gauge is great, but it doesn't know the headspace on your specific FAL.

 

[lurch1]

That's good information for me to try.
Thanks

 

[deep south]

I would suggest buying a case gauge in that situation and setting up die to where 5-6 brass slide in gauge then leave die at that setting but i'd run every case through the gauge to so you know those will cycle.

Also making small batches is a good idea before making large batches and wasting a pile of expensive components.

Make say 5-10 rounds and run to range to verify function, safety, and or accuracy or you'll end up like alot of us early on with big batches of ammo that's to hot or doesn't function .can be an expensive waste

We all do dumb stuff learning but test in small batches is my recommendation.

 

[deep south]

Also generally you can size by die instructions no problem.thats why they give you those instructions .
You just end up over working brass and have less times you can size those brass.semi automatic rifle sizing to shell holder from once fired brass I would not attempt more than 2-3 firings on brass after that initial once fired start

 

[lurch1]

I really thought I might be laughed off the forum for such a rookie question on a forum that is filled with very experienced handloaders but it has been the opposite.
You guys are great!

 

[deep south]

You will not get case head separation from firing brass sized to shell holder...
Dies are designed to size in middle of specs to not work brass to much.handloaders use that to there advantage and set dies slightly further out.your fine

You would have to use a small base die and have a chamber on extreme side of tolerance to get case head separation in 2-3 firings in your situation.

Now split case necks from crappy brass and brass fired out of a m240 you bought and don't know it's history different story.but it you should be just fine loading by the way your reloading manual tells you to.

I loaded ammo for many years referring only to a reloading manual.dont get caught up in the internets.your reloading manual is your Bible to start out

It will always be best to load by reloading manual and do advanced precision loading later on.to much confusion and controversy in internet.


Just learn to read your brass... shiny ring around base of cartridge and Google paper clip method for checking brass to prevent case head separation and you'll be fine.

I've sized so many thousands of brass sized to shell holder and never had any sort of problem at all just like reloading manual tells you to.good luck

I love FALS also

 

[lurch1]

You will not get case head separation from firing brass sized to shell holder...
Dies are designed to size in middle of specs to not work brass to much.handloaders use that to there advantage and set dies slightly further out.your fine

You would have to use a small base die and have a chamber on extreme side of tolerance to get case head separation in 2-3 firings in your situation.

Now split case necks from crappy brass and brass fired out of a m240 you bought and don't know it's history different story.but it you should be just fine loading by the way your reloading manual tells you to.

I loaded ammo for many years referring only to a reloading manual.dont get caught up in the internets.your reloading manual is your Bible to start out

It will always be best to load by reloading manual and do advanced precision loading later on.to much confusion and controversy in internet.


Just learn to read your brass... shiny ring around base of cartridge and Google paper clip method for checking brass to prevent case head separation and you'll be fine.

I've sized so many thousands of brass sized to shell holder and never had any sort of problem at all just like reloading manual tells you to.good luck

I love FALS also

Yes I do love this rifle.
It's a bush rifle with a little bit shorter barrel and there are very few rounds through this rifle. It's brand new. I would hate to have to pay for this thing nowadays.
I love the fact that the gas system is adjustable.
I have seen the junk rifles put together but this thing is right out of Belgium

 

[deep south]

Yes I do love this rifle.
It's a bush rifle with a little bit shorter barrel and there are very few rounds through this rifle. It's brand new. I would hate to have to pay for this thing nowadays.
I love the fact that the gas system is adjustable.
I have seen the junk rifles put together but this thing is right out of Belgium

Awesome.anything 308 is great
Hey also Lee factory crimp die is awesome for semi auto fun toys.helps prevent bullet set back but that is another discussion.lol

Good luck with it.