Redding Die question

[Nicoli7153]

I just bought a Redding FL die in .308 and tried running one of my fired cases through it and it is VERY tight!!!! Didn't run it down all the way because it didn't seem right would have needed way to much force.It's part of the hunting set that comes with the competition seating die

I have shot these Lapua cases four times and have FL sized with an RCBS each time. I tried it with a once fired case and still no go.

I ran a brand new Lapua through it and it cycled fine.

Any thoughts?

 

[dedogs]

Sounds like you either have a rather large chamber or maybe wound up with a small base die in your Redding set. Since RCBS tends to size rather agressively I would lean towards some problem with the Redding set-up. Just out of curiosity run it through the RCBS die and then try it in the Redding die.

 

[BowGuy]

I know, a dumb question but your are lubing your cases, right?

 

[tuttlefarm]

New die needs more lube on the case body, could the decapping pin be protruding too far out of the die

 

[Nicoli7153]

I lubed it pretty good including a small amount inside the case neck.

I no longer have the RCBS set

 

[Nicoli7153]

I'll check the pin but it's set short. I decapped it prior to cleaning.

 

[CatShooter]

I just bought a Redding FL die in .308 and tried running one of my fired cases through it and it is VERY tight!!!! Didn't run it down all the way because it didn't seem right would have needed way to much force.It's part of the hunting set that comes with the competition seating die

I have shot these Lapua cases four times and have FL sized with an RCBS each time. I tried it with a once fired case and still no go.

I ran a brand new Lapua through it and it cycled fine.

Any thoughts?

Folks think that chambers and dies are all the same size - but they are not.

The reamers that cut sizing dies start off at the maximum size allowable, and when it is dull, it is sharpened and goes back to the machines to make more dies.

As this happens over and over, the dies made get tighter and tighter.

The difference in your FL dies is because the RCBS was cut early in a reamer's life, and the Redding was cut late in the reamer's life.

Not a problem.

Your die is fine...

 

[snert]

No offense meant, but did you clean it well after buying it and then condition it with lube? They are shipped with a film to protect against rust.

If new brass fit, it sounds like your chamber is on the big side of Saami and the die a bit on the low end of SAAMi

snert

 

[Nicoli7153]

Yes I followed instructions and cleaned and lubed the die prior to use. Think I'll give Redding a call and see if they have any suggestions, since I'd have to almost stand on it to get it to cycle all the way down. Quite sure that would either damage the die and at least get a cartridge stuck.

 

[Nicoli7153]

Just got off phone with Redding and am going to try their case lube. They are sending me a free sample.

They are great to deal with and always helpful!

 

[Rustystud]

Measure the following on both a virgin (new case) and your fired cases:

Neck diameter

Shoulder diameter

Web diameter (.200" line)

Measure the OAL

Measure the case length from datum line on shoulder and case head.

document the differences.

Starting die adjustment for a Redding die.

If you are using a Redding die and a Redding shell holder, run the ram up and screw the die down until it touches the shell holder. It is important to match the Redding die to a Redding shell holder. If not using a Redding shell holder you will have to resize and measure, and adjust. You may have to machine some off the die or the shell holder if they are too long.

A Redding Full Length sizing die sizes to SAAMI spec unless a different spec is specified.

I re-barrel a significant number of rifles both factory barrels and those done by another gunsmith. It is surprising how many I see with out of spec chambers especially necks and web areas. Most often from poor tooling or initial set-up.

If I were a betting man your Redding dies are spec on.

Nat Lambeth

 

[BCoates]

Have you measured the case diameter at the shoulder on a fired piece of brass and a FL resized piece of brass to see how much the Redding die is sizing. My Whidden FL die sizes down my brass about 0.002" in diameter at the shoulder and just above the case web.

 

[Barlow]

I had a problem with a Redding FL sizer in 220 Swift. Sized cases would not chamber. I sent them some cases and they told me I had a tight chamber and I needed a small base die. The told me they don't make small base dies, so I sent it back. I just checked their web site and cannot find any small base dies listed in their inventory, or any reference to them. (maybe I missed them) I went back to my old RCBS die and it works fine. Barlow

 

[CatShooter]

I had a problem with a Redding FL sizer in 220 Swift. Sized cases would not chamber. I sent them some cases and they told me I had a tight chamber and I needed a small base die. The told me they don't make small base dies, so I sent it back. I just checked their web site and cannot find any small base dies listed in their inventory, or any reference to them. (maybe I missed them) I went back to my old RCBS die and it works fine. Barlow

They make a bunch of small based dies - I have several. Get their catalogue (the real paper one), they are listed there.

 

[snert]

+1 Nate

Redding does make some small base dies. call for specific part numbers and availability.

 

[s100whunter]

Its your case lube no ifs ands or butts

 

[tuttlefarm]

Its your case lube no ifs ands or butts

++++one

 

[Nicoli7153]

Thanks to everyone for all the information.