Have a question about how to overcome the limitations of the dies RCBS puts out. I bought .223 and 6.5 Grendel small based die sets. On the .223 the depriming and sizing die bends the casing and ruins it four times out of ten. I wrote them and they said they would take it back for thirty bucks and fix it. Fix a new set! Now I am having to use my old Hornady loading die, because it does not do this. You would think on .223 since 55 gr spire points are hugely predominant, they would just know the size to make it. Then, on the Grendel die set, the sizing die does NOT go down enough, even though I am maxing it out, and makes the case twenty thousands too long at the shoulder. I know this to be true because I measured the case against a Hornady black new case, and it was visibly longer, as well as measured with a caliper. I even had to drill out the port on my Odin Works new 6.5 Grendel barrel, because they made it so small, it would not reload on my AR. What is with companies these days? I should not have to do anything to new products paid for, in order to 'fix' them, right? I am perplexed.
RCBS
- Thread starter writerman
- Start date
What do you mean by "bending?"
The die bends the case? (I assume you’re referring to the CASE when you say casing)
I’ve got problems with your post.
Die bends the case?
RCBS asked for $30.00 to ‘fix’it?
The asking for money would be a first for me with RCBS .
Something is lost here.
But I’ll take a go at it. Have you removed and reinstalled the de-capper and expander ?
Expander ball is set so high it is coming into play when the neck of the case is in the neck sizing portion of the f/l sizing.
In that position there is no room for the expander therefore damaging the case.
Actually this is harder to explain than I thought.
Last edited:
TTE
Gold $$ Contributor
your brass is coming out of your chamber 20 tho longer at the shoulder ?
Are you sure tha crimping fixture on your seating die is not what is bending the case neck?
I don't understand there is nothing above the neck, except with loaded ammo the bullet would be above the neck. RCBS has always replaced or repaired any of their products I've had trouble with for free. If I were having trouble bending cases I would remove the decap pin and try a few without the decap function. If the size OK without the decap pin look at the decap assembly and see if you can see what the issue is. You may need to replace the pin or expander ball. Measure some of these parts and see if you find something bent or too big. Like if it had a 6mm expander ball it could be troublesome. lube is your friend, but too much could be causing the shoulder to be dented, but the shoulder is below the neck. Pictures would be helpful!!!
SSL
Gold $$ Contributor
Uhhh...at a loss for words...never had an issue with RCBS dies in over 60 years of loading and countless calibers, and now the poster has all of these?
Nothing makes sense. Have to drill the port on an Odin Works new 6.5 Grendel barrel, because they made it so small, it would not reload on his AR? What does that even mean?
Nothing makes sense. Have to drill the port on an Odin Works new 6.5 Grendel barrel, because they made it so small, it would not reload on his AR? What does that even mean?
Must be crimping in the bullets. Grind .02 of a shell holder for the 6.5. All shell holders aren't the same.
Yes, the top of the brass that holds the bullet bends at the neck so much, I can't straighten the case back out, if the bullet is anything less than PERFECTLY straight up when lowering it into the bullet seater. No bend at all can be allowed, and I can't just reach up with tweezer fingers and straighten it. No other dies of the 24 or so I own, ever did this or do this.
Yes, I am going to a machinist friend of mine to do that very thing tomorrow. Thanks.
Sure, they said, for thirty more bucks so they can 'make it for the bullets I am loading' specifically. Never heard of that before. And, since the huge predominance is 55 gr spire points for .223, and that's what I'm loading, why didn't they just make it for that?
Don't believe my die has a crimping feature. I crimp separately.
It probably does though.
With no die in press, put a piece of brass in the shell holder and run it up to top stroke, then screw seating die in until it makes contact with brass. Now back the die out a full turn and lock it down, this will eliminate the chance of the crimper option in your die of damaging the case.
bozo699
Gold $$ Contributor
Did you follow the directions on how to set the resizing die up?… not all dies set the same, same with your seating die. For precision loading I’m not much of a fan of RCBS but they make quality products and I have never had them charge me to fix a faulty product, did you call who you bout it from or rcbs directly? It almost sounds like you don’t have the expander ball on it and if not a flat base bullet will crush the case for sure
Wayne
bozo699
Gold $$ Contributor
I think you nailed it buddy
Wayne
TTE
Gold $$ Contributor
Are you saying the measurement from the cartridge base to the shoulder datum is 20 thou longer ?
Something does not make sense. Dies do not make he CBTD longer by 20 thou. Cartridge OAL I can see, but a longer shoulder measurement ..... not so much. But I guess anything is possible.
Before pic with measurement methods in place (e.g., show what and how you are measuring cases) and after with the same measurement methods in place would be helpful.
Last edited:
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.