Surprise surprise - shoulder dents

[strut64]

Yesterday, I started setting up some 7 Rem Mag loads for this fall. Started getting shoulder dents and could no get out of the problem (yet). details;
Hornady brass on 3rd loading.
Lee die
Using Imperial sizing wax very lightly applied to shoulder and inside neck
First corrective measure was to lighten up on die engagement slightly.
Took die apart and thoroughly cleaned the cavity and decapping/neck sizer rod.
Further lightened up on die engagement.
Improved condition but not eliminated.
I have been reloading since 1972 and had not encountered dents in years. Been loading using this die for a 3 years with Remington, Winchester and now Hornady brass with no issue.
I am confused. Any other ideas. I ordinarily full length Resize for hunting load use and using an after marKet barrel(Apache) with a snug chamber. So I don't/can't lighten up on engagement any further.

 

[Nude nut]

H

Yesterday, I started setting up some 7 Rem Mag loads for this fall. Started getting shoulder dents and could no get out of the problem (yet). details;
Hornady brass on 3rd loading.
Lee die
Using Imperial sizing wax very lightly applied to shoulder and inside neck
First corrective measure was to lighten up on die engagement slightly.
Took die apart and thoroughly cleaned the cavity and decapping/neck sizer rod.
Further lightened up on die engagement.
Improved condition but not eliminated.
I have been reloading since 1972 and had not encountered dents in years. Been loading using this die for a 3 years with Remington, Winchester and now Hornady brass with no issue.
I am confused. Any other ideas. I ordinarily full length Resize for hunting load use and using an after marKet barrel(Apache) with a snug chamber. So I don't/can't lighten up on engagement any further.

Have always put lube on the shoulder of your cases the only time I had dents in the shoulder was when I put lube there just a thought.

Cheers Trev.

 

[watercam]

Agreed, especially with a wax type lube, swab out the inside of your die and use less lube. I use one thin swipe of wax for every three or four cases. I assume you are wiping the lube out of the inside of the neck after your size the case so as not to contaminate your powder charge.

 

[swd]

Does your die have a clogged vent?

 

[savagedasher]

Does your die have a clogged vent?

They are probably oil or air dent
Take your depriming stem out Clean the die with brake clean .
Put back together and you should be good to go. Don't use so much lube . Larry

 

[Big Mc]

Yesterday, I started setting up some 7 Rem Mag loads for this fall. Started getting shoulder dents and could no get out of the problem (yet). details;
Hornady brass on 3rd loading.
Lee die
Using Imperial sizing wax very lightly applied to shoulder and inside neck
First corrective measure was to lighten up on die engagement slightly.
Took die apart and thoroughly cleaned the cavity and decapping/neck sizer rod.
Further lightened up on die engagement.
Improved condition but not eliminated.
I have been reloading since 1972 and had not encountered dents in years. Been loading using this die for a 3 years with Remington, Winchester and now Hornady brass with no issue.
I am confused. Any other ideas. I ordinarily full length Resize for hunting load use and using an after marKet barrel(Apache) with a snug chamber. So I don't/can't lighten up on engagement any further.

Less lube... less dents..

 

[strut64]

OH YEH, The air vent!!!! It was clogged. I had forgotten completely about that little detail. thanks

 

[Iowa Fox]

Does your die have a clogged vent?

My first thought also.

 

[MagnumManiac]

I NEVER lube the shoulders of my cases, it is not necessary cause no frictional forces are applied in that area of the die.
In fact, when using wax, I only lube the lower 2/3 of my cases, as some wax migrates up the case as it passes into the die.

Haven't had dented shoulders since my 375 Weatherby die was very rough and I was using too much lube trying to compensate. A good polish fixed the problem.

Cheers.

 

[bozo699]

OH YEH, The air vent!!!! It was clogged. I had forgotten completely about that little detail. thanks

The vent may have been plugged but you should never lube the shoulder or you will get dents.Not only will you dent your necks you will shove the shoulder back further on some than others so head spacing will be inconsistent. Best of luck.
Wayne.