Problem with Once-Fired Brass

[JackEllis]

I picked up a full length die yesterday and will be fixing the mess I made starting tomorrow.

[sbsyncro]

Fwiw I have an extra 30-30 decapping pin that got bent so I ground off the "primer poker" part and use it for exactly your situation. Every once in a blue moon I'll need to bump shoulders on rounds that are already primed since I normally just neck size after the first firing. But my 30-30 seems picky.


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[JackEllis]

It seems my .243 is also picky about once-fired brass (it was cleaned but NOT sized). I picked up a full-length die on Friday and just attempted to resize a few cases that had been primed and a few that had not. They still don't fit and all are under the maximum case length (2.045). I bought another batch of once-fired .243 from another seller and a spot check shows several of them chambered just fine.

I'll be having a conversation with the seller of the first batch tomorrow - all are Remington Peters.

This lesson learned. Now on to the next dumb mistake.

[JackEllis]

Mystery solved. For the benefit of other beginning reloaders who may run into the same problem I did, it helps if you set up the die correctly. In my case it meant raising the ram with the shell holder installed, screwing the die down until the bottom touches the top of the shell holder, raising the ram a bit, then screwing the die down another 1/8 to 1/4 turn before setting the lock nut. Exactly as set forth in the instructions.

I'm assuming there's no science to the amount by which the die needs to be screwed down after it touches the top of the shell holder and that the whole purpose is to make sure the shoulder is bumped back appropriately.

[smoothy8500]

Mystery solved. For the benefit of other beginning reloaders who may run into the same problem I did, it helps if you set up the die correctly.

Thanks for the update.

[jameshenry]

Use a case gauge. I always use a case gauge to help set up my dies, and then randomly check loaded cartridges as I place them in containers. Using gauges is so much easier than using a rifle for a case gauge, checking lots of bullets means having a loaded gun...and if you have a brain fart, accidental discharge can happen.

[JackEllis]

checking lots of bullets means having a loaded gun...and if you have a brain fart, accidental discharge can happen

Agreed! I'll test empty cases in the chamber but I never put a loaded round in a magazine, let along the chamber, until I'm where I plan on shooting.

[sbsyncro]

Problem with Once-Fired Brass

So basically what you're dealing with now is a choice between sizing to SAAMI specs versus sizing to your specific gun. If you use the die set up per the instructions, it should size to SAAMI but a lot of guys on this thread are talking about making adjustments to the die so that it sizes the brass for *their* rifle (by trial and error I guess). Im no expert, but I full-length resize to SAAMI spec (i.e. follow die install instructions) for my semi-auto and lever guns and just neck size rounds for my bolt guns after they have been fired in that gun. For range pickup or purchased 1x fired brass I always FL resize the first time I reload no matter what.

Also make sure you carefully check for split necks or other issues while you're reloading. I've bought "once fired" brass that had a few rounds with split necks. You never know why someone is leaving stuff on the ground at the range...


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[fguffey]

For range pickup or purchased 1x fired brass I always FL resize the first time I reload no matter what.

Also make sure you carefully check for split necks or other issues while you're reloading. I've bought "once fired" brass that had a few rounds with split necks. You never know why someone is leaving stuff on the ground at the range...


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I don't; manufacturers do not make brass that is too large for my chambers, if they did that is all I would purchase because I am a reloader. My press and dies have threads, I use the threads to size cases that fit cases to my chamber; my opinion; there is nothing more mindless than a reloader full length sizing a case because they do not know the length of the chamber from the shoulder of the chamber to the bolt face.

The best thing to ever happen to the 8mm57 chamber is the 30/06 case. The best thing to ever happen to the 30/06 chamber is the 280 Remington case.

F. Guffey

[sbsyncro]

I don't; manufacturers do not make brass that is too large for my chambers, if they did that is all I would purchase because I am a reloader. My press and dies have threads, I use the threads to size cases that fit cases to my chamber; my opinion; there is nothing more mindless than a reloader full length sizing a case because they do not know the length of the chamber from the shoulder of the chamber to the bolt face.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding your post, but when I've tried to reload and shoot range pickup brass in my 30-30 (lever), 308 (bolt), or 7.62x39 (auto-loader) I invariably get the occasional "failure to chamber" because the round was fire-formed to someone else's chamber that isn't identical to mine and therefore does not fit. (this is particularly true of the lever guns and bolt guns). SO... The first time I load anyone else 1x fired brass, I always FL resize. After that, depending on the rifle, I may just neck-size (in the case of the bolt guns) or FL-resize in the case of my 30-30 or auto-loaders.

Obviously, I'm not talking about FL resizing NEW store-bought brass that should already be to SAAMI specs. Maybe that's what you're referring to

[fguffey]

Obviously, I'm not talking about FL resizing NEW store-bought brass that should already be to SAAMI specs. Maybe that's what you're referring to

Maybe that's what you're referring to

I have no clue what there is for most reloaders to understand; my dies and presses have threads, threads allow me to adjust the die to the shell holder. I have one 30/06 chamber that is .016" longer from the shoulder of the chamber to the bolt face than a minimum length/full length sized case. For all reloaders there is one solution; that would be fire the form the case by fire forming. Not me, I adjust the die off the shell holder .014" and then secure the die to the press with the lock ring. After securing the die I place a 280 Remington case in the shell holder, raise the ram and then sized the case. When I lower the ram the case comes out of the die sized to field reject length; for the few that can keep up? That would be a case with the magic .002" clearance. The magic .002" clearance is what internet reloaders claim the obtain by bumping the shoulder back. And I always ask; "How do they do that?" and no one answers.

F. Guffey