Problem with my AR

[gsc3zny]

Even though it is spec length? I will try it, hopefully it solves my problem

[slopoke]

Here are some pics of my measurements, if they help. so you are saying the head of the case should be below where my picture shows it, even though it is spec length?[ATTACH]412026[/ATTACH]

If you look at the head,it's sticking above the top step. You need to screw the die down more til the case head is below the top and above the bottom step (valley floor). That's your problem. The case shoulder is not bumped back enough. Do you completely understand the concept of bumping shoulder back?

[MarkInFolsom]

Here are some pics of my measurements, if they help. so you are saying the head of the case should be below where my picture shows it, even though it is spec length?
[

Yes, it should be below. The overall length of the case is one measurement. The case head to shoulder datum line is anotherand the one that is too long. This is the reason your cartridges won't allow the bolt to close.

[slopoke]

Even though it is spec length? I will try it, hopefully it solves my problem

You will need to recheck those cases for length again after you run them through your sizing die.

[gsc3zny]

If you look at the head,it's sticking above the top step. You need to screw the die down more til the case head is below the top and above the bottom step (valley floor). That's your problem. The case shoulder is not bumped back enough. Do you completely understand the concept of bumping shoulder back?

Yes, as the shell rises, the die should push down the shoulder, correct?

[slopoke]

Yes, as the shell rises, the die should push down the shoulder, correct?

Yep.

[gsc3zny]

If you look at the head,it's sticking above the top step. You need to screw the die down more til the case head is below the top and above the bottom step (valley floor). That's your problem. The case shoulder is not bumped back enough. Do you completely understand the concept of bumping shoulder back?

More like this? Maybe you cant tell, but it is just below the upper ledge

[slopoke]

More like this? Maybe you cant tell, but it is just below the upper ledge[ATTACH]412030[/ATTACH]

Don't "eyeball it. Use a straight edge like I explained in my previous post. Still looks high from the pic.

[gsc3zny]

Don't "eyeball it. Use a straight edge like I explained in my previous post. Still looks high from the pic.

Got it. I cant really take a pic,the gap between the head and my straightedge is razor thin, but when held up to a light, you can see a razor thin gap. Also, the neck is now flush with the outer end of the sizer also. I will seat a bunch of dummy rounds(again) and see if they cycle by manually charging it over and over. Thanks, hopefully this will be it and the frustration will be over

[Metal God]

Just to confirm that when you are checking your sized cases, that you are looking to see if the head of the case is between the upper and lower steps of the case gauge? If you are just dropping them in to see if they fit, you are using it incorrectly.

Correct , I think I should have been more clear on that point when I mentioned the case should work like a plunk test . My point was only that the case MUST freely fall into the gage or you will not get an accurate reading where the case head falls in between the steps of the gage .

This case was sized using a standard shell holder with the die making hard contact to the shell holder and cam over of the press . As you can see it is sized below the low line and is in fact sized .009 shorter then a GO gage ( excessive "case head space" )


This is a GO gage in the same case gage . As you can see it falls in between the two steps .


This is a NO-GO gage in the same case gage . As you can see it is above both steps .


The cases in your first pics in the gage are sticking out WAY to much . The second is better for sure but the angle and blurryness of pic make it hard to tell if they are right . The thing about that is I can't tell if they are sticking up because the case is sticking to the walls of the gage or if they are actually freely falling into the gage and the measurement is off the shoulder . Can you wiggle that case inside the gage ? meaning there is a little slop/space in between the gage and the case wall ( very little ) but there should be some .

[gsc3zny]

Correct , I think I should have been more clear on that point when I mentioned the case should work like a plunk test . My point was only that the case MUST freely fall into the gage or you will not get an accurate reading where the case head falls in between the steps of the gage .

This case was sized using a standard shell holder with the die making hard contact to the shell holder and cam over of the press . As you can see it is sized below the low line and is in fact sized .009 shorter then a GO gage ( excessive "case head space" )


This is a GO gage in the same case gage . As you can see it falls in between the two steps .


This is a NO-GO gage in the same case gage . As you can see it is above both steps .


The cases in your first pics in the gage are sticking out WAY to much . The second is better for sure but the angle and blurryness of pic make it hard to tell if they are right . The thing about that is I can't tell if they are sticking up because the case is sticking to the walls of the gage or if they are actually freely falling into the gage and the measurement is off the shoulder . Can you wiggle that case inside the gage ? meaning there is a little slop/space in between the gage and the case wall ( very little ) but there should be some .

Yes, the case falls freely in gauge, I know pic is hard to see, but if you hold a straight edge over the valley, you can see a razor thin gap. There is a miniscule amount of slop. Best thing? i made 5 dummy rounds, seated to lee guide specs, but they were a hair to long, so I measured the factory rounds, seated to that depth(2.20, lee says 2.26) Rounds cycle flawlessly

[Metal God]

so I measured the factory rounds, seated to that depth(2.20, lee says 2.26) Rounds cycle flawlessly

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^WINNER^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[gsc3zny]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^WINNER^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

It just Pi$$es me off that I followed all the instructions, measured everything the way the manuals said, and nothing worked. Im at the range, looking like an idiot because I always have my rifle apart. i come here and thru the knowledge of everyone who helped me, finally figured it out. It just shows there is NO substitute for experience, and I thank everyone

[slopoke]

It just Pi$$es me off that I followed all the instructions, measured everything the way the manuals said, and nothing worked. Im at the range, looking like an idiot because I always have my rifle apart. i come here and thru the knowledge of everyone who helped me, finally figured it out. It just shows there is NO substitute for experience, and I thank everyone

All's well, that ends well. Glad you got it all worked out.

[3006mv]

So what was it just your case overall length, bullet seated or case shoulder?