My Lee single stage press model number 900458 will not bump the shoulder! I'm looking for a press to use that will bump the shoulder, but I'm on a tight budget at the moment, so I've been looking at the lyman brass Smith ideal, but I definitely do not want to buy another press that won't bump the shoulder. So what do you guys suggest I do? Also I'm using a Wilson full length sizing die for 6bra with a .266 bushing.
No shoulder bump on my Lee press
- Thread starter MarkO76
- Start date
If the die is making full contact with the shell holder at the top of the stroke when sizing, changing presses won't make a difference. If that is what is happening then trimming the top of the shell holder or the bottom of the die is the only way to get more shoulder bump. Are you sure the brass is fully formed to your chamber before measuring for shoulder bump?
I believe they're fully formed, they have 3 firings on them. Now they've gotten to the point that they are pretty tough to chamber because the shoulders haven't been bumped. I got out a 400 grit wet stone and started running the shell holder on it. I've been running the die down slightly each time to be sure its getting contact the way it needs to
I'd try screwing that die down an extra full turn and size 1 piece of brass like that. Then measure that piece of brass and see if it made a difference. Sometimes it's hard to tell if they really are making contact just by looking at them. Another way to tell is by trying to slide a feeler gauge in between them while it's at the top of its stroke while sizing a case.
This sure works on my RCII.
I bought it used from a buddy several years ago, he had it for probably 10-15 years, so I don't have a manual for it lol I believe he bought it used on ebay, so I'm thinking its just worn out.
Using a piece of 180 grit sandpaper wrapped around a flat surface, then a 250 grit wet stone, then a 400 grit wet stone I planed the shellholder down until the surface was completely flat. doing this I was able to get it pushed down 0.0045" unfortunately that's still not far enough back to chamber smoothly. (I used the .40 cal shell case method)
A little more clarity please. What was pushed down 0.0045"? If it was the shoulder then you need a body die. Midway has a Redding for $39.
Yes I was talking about the shoulder being pushed down.
Ok, so if the shoulder was moved that much and the case still won't chamber, it's not the shoulder but the base just ahead of the web. Get your calipers or micrometer and check it out. The body die works the case all the way to the web.
I guess it could also be that the necks have grown so check the case length and trim as needed.
If the shoulder is being pushed back .0045" from a fired case, then that should be plenty. You said there are 3 firings on the cases. Did you full length size them each firing? If not, it might be a different dimension keeping it from chambering freely.
Edit: PigButtons beat me to it
Edit: PigButtons beat me to it
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That press has way to much deflection/flex when sizing a case . As others have said you need to screw the die down more .
As you put a load on that “C” type press , it is flexing upward so even though you set your die to touch the shell holder with out a case in the die . Once theres a load on it when actually sizing the case it no longer is touching on the full stroke. .
Size a case , push it all the way up in the die and leave it there. Now look and see if the die and shell holder are touching . If not you can screw your die down more .
It’s more likely your method or set up is what’s wrong then the die or shell holder needing modification.
EXAMPLE
This is the die and shell holder just barely touching on a full stroke and "cam over" on a "O" style press
This is that same set up when sizing a 308 case .
Note the gap between the die and shell holder in the second pic that is not there in the first pic . This is do to press and linkage deflection/flex . You will get this happening even more with open face "C" type presses and even more with the Lee press you have . That gap in the second pic IMHO is why you are not seeing a bump in your shoulders . The press is flexing upward to much and you likely have room to screw it down farther even though the die and shell holder are touching when not sizing a case . If you run out of threads for your locking ring/nut on top you can use it on the bottom as well .
As you put a load on that “C” type press , it is flexing upward so even though you set your die to touch the shell holder with out a case in the die . Once theres a load on it when actually sizing the case it no longer is touching on the full stroke. .
Size a case , push it all the way up in the die and leave it there. Now look and see if the die and shell holder are touching . If not you can screw your die down more .
It’s more likely your method or set up is what’s wrong then the die or shell holder needing modification.
EXAMPLE
This is the die and shell holder just barely touching on a full stroke and "cam over" on a "O" style press
This is that same set up when sizing a 308 case .
Note the gap between the die and shell holder in the second pic that is not there in the first pic . This is do to press and linkage deflection/flex . You will get this happening even more with open face "C" type presses and even more with the Lee press you have . That gap in the second pic IMHO is why you are not seeing a bump in your shoulders . The press is flexing upward to much and you likely have room to screw it down farther even though the die and shell holder are touching when not sizing a case . If you run out of threads for your locking ring/nut on top you can use it on the bottom as well .
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If you have your die set down more than needed for just kiss contact with the shell holder, enough so it will grip a sheet of thin paper hard when fully stops on the shellholder, then run a correctly lubed case in to the die. If then, there is a separation between shellholder and die bottom like in the earlier picture, the press just isn't up to the job & you'll need to get an O style press preferably, or a solid C press (though the latter is sending good money after bad)
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