|
Ammo and Reloading Factory Ammunition, Reloading, Components, Load Data and more. |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
.223 sizing issues
I have a fairly new build AR15. Aero Precision upper/lower...BCA 18" .223 Wylde barrel, blah,blah,blah. The only rounds I've put through it have been Federal and some Frontier from L.A.X. All new and all with no problems.
So I recently started reloading for this cartridge (25 years loading pistol rounds) First thing I noticed was that my sized (Lee F/L sizer)rounds would not chamber in my gun. I tried shell holder contact with no turn, 1/8 turn, 1/4 turn and up to 1 full turn. It almost seems that I'm not 'bumping the shoulder enough. I also aquired a crap load of misc brass from a friend. Tried it before and after sizing with no luck.WTF can it be? |
#4
|
||||
|
||||
I feel your pain and understand. I went through this years ago after reloading pistol for years. This link below helped me a lot. Hopefully, it helps or gives you some ideas. Good luck.
Jay https://youtu.be/XkjIx4CPCfk |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
|
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Small base dies should solve the problem.
__________________
A 30cal will reach out and touch them. A 50cal will kick their butt. NRA Life Member, NRA certified RSO & Basic Pistol Instructor, Hunter, shooter, reloader SCI, Manteca Sportsmen Club, Coalinga Rifle Club, Escalon Sportsmans Club, Waterford Sportsman Club & NAHA Member, Madison Society member |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Another question, I've always adjusted my dies on my Dillon 750 a 1/4 to 1/2 turn after base contact. I'm using a little Lee single stage press for these .223's. How much of a turn would be considered excessive? I played with a full turn and a 1/4 and the results are better. Is that too much? doesn't seem like I should have to go that extreme.
|
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Which Lee press are you using ?
The Frontier and Federal shot out of your gun should not require the small base die. For me. Only the brass I bought on Gunbroker . I had to use the small base die. But it was military brass. I bought 6000 cases same headstamp. After I shot it from my gun. I just use me Lee dies. But 1 full turn is quite a bit..
__________________
Been gone too long. It's been 15 to 20 years since i had to shelf my guns. Those early years sucked. I really miss the good old Pomona Gun Shows. I'm Back. |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
I don't like the idea of a full turn but it seems to help. |
#11
|
||||
|
||||
Small base dies are the ticket, I use my standard .223/5.56 dies set on my bolt gun and Contender the small base RCBS dies on the AR. Gotta have that case gage, otherwise you are just guessing, same for a good primer pocket and neck tension gage.
__________________
Bob B. (\__/) (='.'=) (")_(") |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
OP:
Quote:
If curious as to what and where your resized cases are binding, and failing to chamber. Take a black Marks-A-Lot pen. AKA PoBoy Dykem. Coat a couple of the problem cases and cycle through the rifle by hand. Any area binding will show as "shiny spots" on the cases. CASE GAGES..................NOT ALL HOLES ARE CREATED EQUAL. Many folks buy them only to find they are useless. |
#13
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
Here is L.E. Wilson explaining how to use there gauges to properly bump your shoulder back . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuJYpm-qplQ How many turns ? well that depends . I'm going to try to make this short but it's hard to do so because of what needs to be said . All presses have flex/deflection as you start to put a load on them as one does as you size a case . Sometimes it's in the press frame , other times it's in the ram linkage and often is a combination of both . Example Here are two photos with the exact same die setting and the ram fully up . The first is with no case in the die and the second is actually sizing a case As you can see the die and shell holder are making contact in the first photo but when sizing a case ( putting a load on the press ) it causes the press to deflect leaving that gap you see in the second photo . This flex/deflection can cause inconsistent sized cases from head to datum point on the shoulder . To correct this ( as you've been doing ) is to screw the die down until it makes firm contact with the shell holder at the top of the stroke while sizing a case . For now I won't get into more advanced ways to get a consistent case headspace measurement and just ask you to look and see if there is a gap between the die and shell holder at the top of the stroke when sizing a case . If so you can screw the die down more . If not and your die and shell holder are in fact making firm contact at the top of the stroke when sizing a case . You very likely will need to use a small base die which sizes the diameter down a little more . This would also mean you will likely be able to back your die back out a tad but we'll leave that alone for now until the chambering issue is resolved .
__________________
Tolerate allow the existence, occurrence, or practice of (something that one does not necessarily like or agree with) without interference. Anyone else find it sad that those who preach tolerance CAN'T allow the existence, occurrence, or practice of (something that they do not necessarily like or agree with) without interference. I write almost everything in a jovial manner regardless of content . If that's not how you took it please try again Last edited by Metal God; 11-30-2019 at 9:06 AM.. |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1013020665?pid=807734
__________________
Been gone too long. It's been 15 to 20 years since i had to shelf my guns. Those early years sucked. I really miss the good old Pomona Gun Shows. I'm Back. |
#16
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
if you were a full turn off the shell holder you were not sizing the brass completely. |
#17
|
|||
|
|||
I've never had a need nor a desire to use a case gauge. Plunk test works every time. Calipers or a mic will tell you if your brass is in or out of spec.
|
#18
|
|||
|
|||
Picked up a RCBS small base die set and a Lyman case gauge.
All is good in the world once again. Thanks for everyones replies. Metal God...I checked on that, it took almost a full turn to get the gap to go away with the case in the press. I wasn't comfortable with that, hence I got the small base die. Works great! |
#19
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Small base die did the trick |
#20
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
The only time you will be over stressing the press is on hard contact and or cam over with hard contact . Having it screwed down just enough for the two to kiss at the top of the stroke when sizing should not overly stress the press . Quote:
__________________
Tolerate allow the existence, occurrence, or practice of (something that one does not necessarily like or agree with) without interference. Anyone else find it sad that those who preach tolerance CAN'T allow the existence, occurrence, or practice of (something that they do not necessarily like or agree with) without interference. I write almost everything in a jovial manner regardless of content . If that's not how you took it please try again Last edited by Metal God; 11-30-2019 at 1:08 PM.. |
#22
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
This assumes of course that your chamber is not excessively tight. I've never needed a small base die until recently with my 6XC but that's how it was designed. I've never needed a small base die on any of the .223, 5.56 or 308 chambered AR's Last edited by kcstott; 12-02-2019 at 4:41 AM.. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|