Sized brass seems to get longer

[Chuckhunter]

I’m pretty sure that I will invest in a FL bushing die for both .223 and 6.5CM. Looking at the L.E. Wilson. Any suggestions?

OT, Sounds like you know what you're doing. Since I shoot a custom chamber in competition I keep things pretty close to the vest. I have found when prepping new Lapua BR brass after running them over a mandrel and neck turning, I lightly chamfer inside and outside of case mouth, I load them up with a fairly stiff (not hot) and fire them, then resize in my Harrell FL bushing die and shoot one of my proven loads for a second firing. I then bump them .002,, then trim them all to 1.550 (my chamber is 1.560). Brass will still flow after two firings but normally at a much slower pace. Just keep an eye on OAL case length after each sizing and you should be good to go. A FL bushing die is a good idea. If you send three fired cases to Whidden, they will make you a set that correctly fits your chamber but if finances don't allow this, Wilson dies work fine. Let us know how you make out.

 

[Texas10]

I’m pretty sure that I will invest in a FL bushing die for both .223 and 6.5CM. Looking at the L.E. Wilson. Any suggestions?

I do not shoot competitively, but I find the RCBS Gold Medal Match dies to be quite adequate for my 6BR. It is a FL bushing die. Easy to change bushings to alter neck tension. The really nice feature is that you don't need to lube the inside of the case. Just the outside near the base and I use Unique lube. A small tub will last years. I also have an RCBS micrometer seating die for my 223 loads. They're readily available and not too expensive, in fact frequently on sale.

Whatever die you choose, be sure to order a variety of seating stems for your various bullets. The fit of the stem to the bullet has a great deal to do with seating consistency. For instance, you don't want a stem the pushes on the tip (meplat) of the bullet, a common problem with slender, high B.C. bullets. I've had to modify some of my stems for the heavier 223 bullets to prevent this problem.

 

[LCazador]

I’m pretty sure that I will invest in a FL bushing die for both .223 and 6.5CM. Looking at the L.E. Wilson. Any suggestions?

I suggest Redding full length bushing dies. If you don't have them buy a set of competition shell holders so you can get consistent shoulder bump. Backing the die off is OK but not consistent.

 

[Old Tanker]

Thank you.

I do not shoot competitively, but I find the RCBS Gold Medal Match dies to be quite adequate for my 6BR. It is a FL bushing die. Easy to change bushings to alter neck tension. The really nice feature is that you don't need to lube the inside of the case. Just the outside near the base and I use Unique lube. A small tub will last years. I also have an RCBS micrometer seating die for my 223 loads. They're readily available and not too expensive, in fact frequently on sale.

Whatever die you choose, be sure to order a variety of seating stems for your various bullets. The fit of the stem to the bullet has a great deal to do with seating consistency. For instance, you don't want a stem the pushes on the tip (meplat) of the bullet, a common problem with slender, high B.C. bullets. I've had to modify some of my stems for the heavier 223 bullets to prevent this problem.

 

[Old Tanker]

Thanks to all for your kind feedback

 

[Old Tanker]

Thanks, I only have 50 more Hornadys. They do seem harder after firing than Rem. Thinking of StarLine but I’ve heard they can be a little short out of the box. If I were shooting matches I would go to more expensive stuff. It’s a long drive for me to get to any sanctioned matches. Sad day when Rock Castle closed. I had planned on visiting a match or two this summer.

Purely subjectively and unscientifically I've found Hornady cases to be 'harder' in the neck / shoulder area than others. I resorted to re-annealing new cases on one occasion, but still didn't like them and junked them after little use. No experience with this make in 223, but it's not one I like or choose.

Brass hardness / springback seems the only likely explanation for this degree of difference assuming you didn't initially misread the trimmed length / mis-set the trimmer and/or your calipers are reliable/consistent. If it had been a single thou' change, I'd have said possibly temperature difference - I get this is with my reloading room being small and facing into the prevailing winds also receiving afternoon/evening sunlight giving large temperature variations, but 0.004" change is well outside of any expansion / contraction effects on both case and caliper.

 

[MGYSGT]

Brass flows.