When is Full Length sizing not enough?

[Richard Jones]

......The problem with an FL die is that you can only size so much and then you start moving the shoulder back and introducing a new set of problems.

This can really be a problem. When I use a FLS die to size one of my 6x45 cases, by the time the body is sized enough to chamber, the shoulder has way too much headspace. So I use a small base die, that also sets the shoulder dimension. Then a trip into the FLS bushing die, set so that it only does the neck. A couple of firings using the FLS-only method results in case separation.

 

[Ringostar]

Who is.... "we" Thank you as I don't know who you are referring to.

He’s referring to the equipment made by his son Paul. If you’ve seen people mentioning Pbike on here. You can buy the equipment direct from Frances, who is the gentleman that you quoted here.

 

[butchlambert]

This can really be a problem. When I use a FLS die to size one of my 6x45 cases, by the time the body is sized enough to chamber, the shoulder has way too much headspace. So I use a small base die, that also sets the shoulder dimension. Then a trip into the FLS bushing die, set so that it only does the neck. A couple of firings using the FLS-only method results in case separation.

Not if you used the method that I recommended.

 

[Richard Jones]

Not if you used the method that I recommended.

Sorry, I can't follow that. How would the shoulder get moved after drilling? I must be missing something.

 

[butchlambert]

Reread my post. It is how to make a small base die without any lathes or mills. Shoulder bump is another issue.

 

[Richard Jones]

Reread my post. It is how to make a small base die without any lathes or mills. Shoulder bump is another issue.

Butch,

Understood, I thought you said it could be an FLS after drilling. It would be a full length body die, right?

 

[butchlambert]

Butch,

Understood, I thought you said it could be an FLS after drilling. It would be a full length body die, right?

It will allow you to size to the base if necessary.

 

[Richard Jones]

Gotcha. And any old 223 FLS die would work for a 6x45, just drill it to 9mm?

 

[butchlambert]

Gotcha. And any old 223 FLS die would work for a 6x45, just drill it to 9mm?

Check your reamer print and drill it with a drill that is the diameter of your case at the shoulder.

 

[Richard Jones]

Excellent, thanks, Butch.

 

[ronemus]

I have needed a small-base die when going from a sloppy factory chamber to a SAAMI minimum match chamber; .338 Lapua brass is too expensive to throw away after a couple of firings. It's easy for a benchrest competitor to get 20 or so new cases to go with a new barrel, but for my use I have hundreds to thousands of cases and will find a way to re-use the brass; a small-base die is another tool in the box that gets hauled out when needed.