Problems resizing .308 brass, please help

[bigedp51]

Below in the photo is a .223 case that has been sized properly. The case will not drop freely into the gauge because there is a ding in the case rim preventing the case from dropping into the case gauge and coming to rest on its shoulder.



To double test this turn the case 180 and insert the case base first into the gauge and see if it binds. On semi-autos the rim gets chewed up and you see this all the time. Keep a small fine file on your reloading bench to true up the rims.

The vast majority of case gauges do not check the cases body diameter and only measure from the cases shoulder to the base of the case.

Below look closely at the blue, red and green dotted lines. As you can see below when full length resizing it is possible to make the case longer than its fired length if the die is set too high. To get the proper "minimum" shoulder bump or set back you will need to know the cases fired length and bump the shoulder back according to the type rifle you have.



I stopped using Wilson type case gauges and now use the Hornady cartridge case headspace gauge to get more accurate readings.

Below a fired .223/5.56 case being measured and if you do not know its fired length you will not know how far to bump the shoulder back for "YOUR" rifles chamber.



Below the same case after full length resizing with .003 shoulder bump for my AR15.



If you set up your dies per the instructions with the press reaching cam over, you will be pushing the shoulder back to the above green dotted line and over resizing your cases. Minimum shoulder bump would be just a few thousandths below the red dotted line above.

I now use my Wilson case gauges for paper weights and pen holders.



Suggestion, if you want to load ammunition with less neck runout then buy a Forster full length die with the high mounted expander.

Forster Full Length Sizing Die Cutaway
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgIfzsH8N6k


Below I ordered the Forster expander and spindle assemblies for my RCBS dies and greatly reduced neck runout.

[varanidguy]

Below in the photo is a .223 case that has been sized properly. The case will not drop freely into the gauge because there is a ding in the case rim preventing the case from dropping into the case gauge and coming to rest on its shoulder.



To double test this turn the case 180 and insert the case base first into the gauge and see if it binds. On semi-autos the rim gets chewed up and you see this all the time. Keep a small fine file on your reloading bench to true up the rims.

The vast majority of case gauges do not check the cases body diameter and only measure from the cases shoulder to the base of the case.

Below look closely at the blue, red and green dotted lines. As you can see below when full length resizing it is possible to make the case longer than its fired length if the die is set too high. To get the proper "minimum" shoulder bump or set back you will need to know the cases fired length and bump the shoulder back according to the type rifle you have.



I stopped using Wilson type case gauges and now use the Hornady cartridge case headspace gauge to get more accurate readings.

Below a fired .223/5.56 case being measured and if you do not know its fired length you will not know how far to bump the shoulder back for "YOUR" rifles chamber.



Below the same case after full length resizing with .003 shoulder bump for my AR15.




If you set up your dies per the instructions with the press reaching cam over, you will be pushing the shoulder back to the above green dotted line and over resizing your cases. Minimum shoulder bump would be just a few thousandths below the red dotted line above.

I now use my Wilson case gauges for paper weights and pen holders.



Suggestion, if you want to load ammunition with less neck runout then buy a Forster full length die with the high mounted expander.

Forster Full Length Sizing Die Cutaway
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgIfzsH8N6k


Below I ordered the Forster expander and spindle assemblies for my RCBS dies and greatly reduced neck runout.

Awesome! This is excellent information! I'd give you a nice firm handshake and a beer if I could. haha

Glad it seems I made a good purchase with the gauge as it is a Hornady case length gauge. I have my die adjusted so the cases now sit in the gauge with the head being flush with the top step, but above the bottom step. They freely drop in and out now. My rifle is a semi-auto (AR-type) but I'll heed your advice and purchase a small file for getting rid of extractor burrs that the rims get from cycling.

Again, thank you for this info! It is invaluable!

[baih777]

Go to harbor freight. Get the little files in the red case.

[varanidguy]

Go to harbor freight. Get the little files in the red case.

Do you know about how much they run? I try to do most purchases via shop42a.com but I'm a capitalist so...I go where the price is right.

[baih777]

Do you know about how much they run? I try to do most purchases via shop42a.com but I'm a capitalist so...I go where the price is right.

if you have a HF near you they are under 5 bucks.
if no HF near you go by a drug store. you might find a metal nail file that would work.

[varanidguy]

if you have a HF near you they are under 5 bucks.
if no HF near you go by a drug store. you might find a metal nail file that would work.

I'll check it out then. There's a HF 10-15 minutes down the road.