Suggestion for Those Requesting Advice

[K22]

I've seen a lot of posts recently from members asking for help regarding sizing of cases. It might save a lot of time and anguish is the OP provides complete information up front. Suggested information I recommend:

1. Description of problem encountered. (Clear and close up pictures are recommended)

2. Description of rifle.

3. Description of Dies being used.

4. Description of Case history - brand, source (virgin, range pickup, fired in other rifles, times reloaded)

5. Exact Procedure used to set up die to size cases including lube use, measurement methods and tools, press).

6. Data gathered from sizing operation (i.e., before sizing and after sizing)

This is all I can think of but feel free to add anything else that may be useful.

 

[jelenko]

I think this is a great point.

Just writing this information down could lead some of the posters to identify the cause themselves.

 

[divingin]

You forgot "Get rid of the case gauge and use the rifle's chamber." Or, alternatively, "Why do you need the ammo to fit the case gauge when it already fits the chamber?"

 

[joshb]

I still remember an old “newbie” post.
“I have an old 6.5x55 gun. I bought some rounds for it and they won’t fit!”
After 7 or eight posts back and forth, it turned out he had a 308.

 

[358WCF]

Good thoughts K22, but in a few days this post will be off the page & about as accessible as the plethora of already available threads on sizing cases (or any other subject) that aren't being sourced already. It's how the internet works.

"An old Arab, whose tent was pitched next to a company of whirling dervishes was asked, what do you do about them? I let them whirl!"

 

[K22]

You forgot "Get rid of the case gauge and use the rifle's chamber." Or, alternatively, "Why do you need the ammo to fit the case gauge when it already fits the chamber?"

I agree - in fact this was the way it was done in the "old days" before there were bump gauges and case gauges. Even today, I always verify my sizing against the rifle chamber.

However, I do find some advantage in measuring shoulder bump to aid in setting my FL sizing dies for optimum bump. Because I load several rifles of the same caliber, some bump adjustment is sometimes need when I set up to size case for a different rifle.

 

[K22]

Good thoughts K22, but in a few days this post will be off the page & about as accessible as the plethora of already available threads on sizing cases (or any other subject) that aren't being sourced already. It's how the internet works.

"An old Arab, whose tent was pitched next to a company of whirling dervishes was asked, what do you do about them? I let them whirl!"

Yea, that thought occurred to me. Maybe the Forum Boss might find value in having a permanent thread that has something like this.

 

[jelenko]

^ Seconded.

 

[KMart]

#7
Stay engaged on the thread you started. Don't figure out what the problem is, then go away never to be heard again.
The hunt won't be over until the OP says it is.

 

[Shooter13]

#7
Stay engaged on the thread you started. Don't figure out what what the problem is, then go away never to be heard again.
The hunt won't be over until the OP says it is.

Yes, kind of "where the heck did the OP go???" we've seen it over and over.

 

[Mark W]

For some reason this thread reminds me of these Progressive commercials.

 

[divingin]

I still remember an old “newbie” post.
“I have an old 6.5x55 gun. I bought some rounds for it and they won’t fit!”
After 7 or eight posts back and forth, it turned out he had a 308.

Got one better: Couple of guys at the range (couple of years ago now) having problems extracting a case from a 300WinMag. Use a rod and push it out. No shoulder.
"That's not right."
"Yeah; we couldn't get the 300 WinMag ammo to fit."
"That's because you bought 300 Winchester Short Magnum ammo. Bigger base than 300 Winchester Magnum, which is what your rifle is chambered in."
"Well, the .30-06 ammo fired, so we'll just use that."
"No, you won't." Had the RSO send them home to find the right ammo.

 

[acloco]

99% of rifle owners do not believe the chambers are different.

My biggest pet peeve ".....best load for 223 (or any other caliber)????"

Need data on XXX ....when it is usually available, FOR FREE, from the powder manufacturer.

 

[mikecr]

Consider the adage: There is no such thing as a stupid question
By 2yrs old I was well informed otherwise..
Truly, it's likely there are as many stupid questions as stupid answers.

Stupid questions:
Those presented with key information concealed (allowing no credible answer).
Those presented with misleading, biased, or fabricated information (wasting our energy in figuring this out).
Those seeking only validations of notion, or a feeding of delusion (desire) over truths.
Those seeking no solution at all. Just grumbling over something.
Those self-answering or obvious (already known, blurting to themselves –and anyone listening).
Those demonstrating zero personal initiative (too lazy to learn).
Those lead-ins to answers never actually sought (just creating a little chaos).
Those too general for something that’s actually very limited in body (soliciting excess considerations).

 

[Kracken McGraw]

@wagonman were you able to keep the young man heading in the right direction that was on here last year with the powder problem?

 

[jackieschmidt]

My comment is, learn to measure, with the appropriate tools.

I have seen shooters bumping shoulders back to where the bolt ”falls” on a sized case only to end up with .010+ space between the the bolt face and the face of the cartridge.

There are multitudes of companies that make tools that allow a shooter to ascertain exactly how far back he is moving the shoulder.

 

[wagonman]

@wagonman were you able to keep the young man heading in the right direction that was on here last year with the powder problem?

We spent a lot of time in my reloading room going over the basics, got him safely loading his AR and 9mm pistol, he bulged the chamber in that Howa 6.5 Creedmoor, its retired from use after that gross overload of pistol powder, he didn't want to spend the money to repair it.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

We spent a lot of time in my reloading room going over the basics, got him safely loading his AR and 9mm pistol, he bulged the chamber in that Howa 6.5 Creedmoor, its retired from use after that gross overload of pistol powder, he didn't want to spend the money to repair it.

That’s great you were able to help him out like that. I’m sure he learned a lot besides reloading from you.

 

[KMart]

We spent a lot of time in my reloading room going over the basics, got him safely loading his AR and 9mm pistol, he bulged the chamber in that Howa 6.5 Creedmoor, its retired from use after that gross overload of pistol powder, he didn't want to spend the money to repair it.

And THANK YOU again for taking your time to get him on the right path. You did him a great favor/service.
Fortunately, he wasn't too proud or hard headed to take the help.

 

[dryhumor]

I've seen a lot of posts recently from members asking for help regarding sizing of cases. It might save a lot of time and anguish is the OP provides complete information up front. Suggested information I recommend:

1. Description of problem encountered. (Clear and close up pictures are recommended)

2. Description of rifle.

3. Description of Dies being used.

4. Description of Case history - brand, source (virgin, range pickup, fired in other rifles, times reloaded)

5. Exact Procedure used to set up die to size cases including lube use, measurement methods and tools, press).

6. Data gathered from sizing operation (i.e., before sizing and after sizing)

This is all I can think of but feel free to add anything else that may be useful.

Might be useful to know if the rifle was bought second hand with an aftermarket barrel.

Could be a required neck turn, or a zero free bore. Or a chamber cut to a specific brand / era of case.