Headspace won't change

[Golgo013]

Hi everyone.

For some reason when I use Lee full length die to bump headspace but the number on the headspace won't change. I try to chamber the case, the bolt won't close as well.

Previously I had successfully be able to chamber and reload some cases which I fired from some other rifles including the bolt action rifle.

First trim the case to 2.015~2.01, then I used the "once fired" lake city brass LC06. and I use the Hornady headspace gauge to measure the headspace. I got 1.6330~1.6370 with these Lake City case.

I want to bump these cases back to 1.615~1.620, so I uses the Lee full size dies and carefully turn 1/8~1/4; however, the number won't change and these cases won't chamber. I wonder if my method is wrong or is there something wrong with lee full length dies.

First trim the case to 2.015~2.01.

[3DGearGuy]

How are you setting up the die? With those dies, I bring the ram up, screw the die in until it touches the shell holder, then another full turn to compensate for the press frame stretching. Never had a problem with them doing it that way.


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[Golgo013]

Yea, for some reason it worked before, but yesterday it stop working. usually I would bump it until it fits the chamber and the bolt close.

What kind of full length dies are you using may I ask?

[pacrat]

Hi everyone.

For some reason when I use Lee full length die to bump headspace but the number on the headspace won't change. I try to chamber the case, the bolt won't close as well.

Previously I had successfully be able to chamber and reload some cases which I fired from some other rifles including the bolt action rifle.

First trim the case to 2.015~2.01, then I used the "once fired" lake city brass LC06. and I use the Hornady headspace gauge to measure the headspace. I got 1.6330~1.6370 with these Lake City case.

I want to bump these cases back to 1.615~1.620, so I uses the Lee full size dies and carefully turn 1/8~1/4; however, the number won't change and these cases won't chamber. I wonder if my method is wrong or is there something wrong with lee full length dies.

First trim the case to 2.015~2.01.

OP, you really need to be more clear and concise. If you expect clear and concise answers. Some of what you are saying, and your stated expectations are to put it lightly "whack".

I'm assuming [which I hate to do] that by your stated trim length of 2.015" . You are discussing a .308 Win cartridge? Proper headspace of a .308 chamber is 1.630" min. and 1.640" maximum. Headspace of an SAAMI 308 cartridge is 1.634" - .007" tolerance.

So why in the world would you want to shove the shoulders back to 1.615"? That is far below SAAMI minimum chamber dimensions. Which would create a very unsafe headspace, and quite possible contribute to a Ka-Boom from case head separation.

BTW.....cases should be trimmed "AFTER" sizing, not before.

As to your question about your Lee Dies being faulty. That is always a possibility, no matter how slim. Out of spec products do slip by Quality Assurance in all trades. But since you said they worked previously. I do believe you are experiencing "Operator Error", when you are setting up the dies.

Suggest you carefully read and follow the written instructions.

JM2c

[sethrus]

Too many variables and little info.
Are you tumble cleaning first or what?
Are you running them through resizing die on the press before you trim or after?
Are you using a rotary trimmer or filing by hand?
Are you dechamfering the mouth before you try to chamber?
Are you running the crimp die on the case before you test fit?

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[baih777]

Is this once fired brass from your guns or brass you bought over the internet ?

[tonyjr]

Quick question -
Right now I am using a Lee universial decapping die , then a die that sizes inside of case , then the outside sizing die then the belling die .
Is this the right order ?
Then I am vibrating and repriming by hand .
I know a lot of you think I am crazy -
Then trim .
I also have a die that seats bullet , another for OAL , then the last for crimping .
Lee loadmaster - 308's

[divingin]

My procedure:

Decap (Lee decapper), vibrate, lube and size (full length for AR, neck and bump for bolt), trim if necessary, debur case mouth, wet tumble.

I do not bell the mouth or crimp loaded rounds.

To the OP: is your sizing die touching the shell plate at full ram extension? Should be pretty firm contact to start with (cam over with a bit of resistance), then back it off to reduce until you get the amount of shoulder bump you want (of course, you could adjust in the other direction as well and work the amount of bump up.)

And yeah, as the second poster mentioned, .015" of bump is way too much. I aim for no more than a couple of thousandths.

[robert101]

I always test my newly resized case back in the chamber even if I haven't moved the dies in the assigned plate. I hate to pull rounds I messed up. Then I check the round again in the chamber with a bullet inserted for a second check of die adjustment. Note: My specific rifle will tolerate a slight setback so I intentionally set by sizing die base a specific dimension from the shell holder. Now with my 550B the dimension is adjusted as no shell holder is required - but same principle. I would follow Pacrat's suggestions closely.

[JagerDog]

Quick question -
Right now I am using a Lee universial decapping die , then a die that sizes inside of case , then the outside sizing die then the belling die .
Is this the right order ?
Then I am vibrating and repriming by hand .
I know a lot of you think I am crazy -
Then trim .
I also have a die that seats bullet , another for OAL , then the last for crimping .
Lee loadmaster - 308's

The outside and inside are sized with the same die. The button slips thru the fired neck as the outside portion engages the case. This sizes the outside of case, moves shoulder back and sizes (a bit too much) the neck. Retracting the case from the die, the sizing button is pulled through the neck, sizing the neck ID. There should be no belling of the case. Crimping is a personal choice. Many don't crimp bottleneck cases. Many who do crimp make it a seperate function using the seating die with the seating stem raised up. I only use a Lee Factory crimp die on FMJ with cannelure for dedicated AR15 rounds.

The same die will knock the primers out with the depriming pin installed. If working with mil/crimped primers, then the universal decapper is used first or if one wants to decap before cleaning/tumbling.

I think you need to read your book(s) again.

[someoneeasy]

Hi everyone.

For some reason when I use Lee full length die to bump headspace but the number on the headspace won't change. I try to chamber the case, the bolt won't close as well.

Previously I had successfully be able to chamber and reload some cases which I fired from some other rifles including the bolt action rifle.

First trim the case to 2.015~2.01, then I used the "once fired" lake city brass LC06. and I use the Hornady headspace gauge to measure the headspace. I got 1.6330~1.6370 with these Lake City case.

I want to bump these cases back to 1.615~1.620, so I uses the Lee full size dies and carefully turn 1/8~1/4; however, the number won't change and these cases won't chamber. I wonder if my method is wrong or is there something wrong with lee full length dies.

First trim the case to 2.015~2.01.

Hmm... I guess I've been doing it wrong after all this time or you're not using the correct nomenclature. Are we talking about the shoulder here?

Is your resizing die turned in all the way until it touches the shell plate? What press are you using?

[pacrat]

The outside and inside are sized with the same die. The button slips thru the fired neck as the outside portion engages the case. This sizes the outside of case, moves shoulder back and sizes (a bit too much) the neck. Retracting the case from the die, the sizing button is pulled through the neck, sizing the neck ID. There should be no belling of the case. Crimping is a personal choice. Many don't crimp bottleneck cases. Many who do crimp make it a seperate function using the seating die with the seating stem raised up. I only use a Lee Factory crimp die on FMJ with cannelure for dedicated AR15 rounds.

The same die will knock the primers out with the depriming pin installed. If working with mil/crimped primers, then the universal decapper is used first or if one wants to decap before cleaning/tumbling.

I think you need to read your book(s) again.

JD, I think, [but not certain], that when "tonyjr" said;

Right now I am using a Lee universial decapping die , then a die that sizes inside of case ,
then the outside sizing die then the belling die .

That he "may" be using a Lee Collet sizer, Then also running them through a FL die. Which would be not only redundant, but counter productive and negate the previous usage of the Collet Die.

But I'm not sure. So many FNGs want/need to ask questions to get relevant answers. But because they are FNGs they use improper nomenclature terminology when asking.

Which makes giving concise answers much more difficult.

[Golgo013]

Hi guys, I noticed Ive made a mistake.

My full length die was not touching the case holder.

I screw it down to touch the case holder plus 1/4 turn, the Headspace finally move; however I insert into the "L.E. Wilson Case Length Headspace Gauge 308 Winchester". The case seems still too big. I haven't measure the headspace with hornady gauge yet.

at this point should I be unscrew 1/4 of turn or screw in the full length die 1/4 of turn?

[Bigedski]

OP, you really need to be more clear and concise. If you expect clear and concise answers. Some of what you are saying, and your stated expectations are to put it lightly "whack".

I'm assuming [which I hate to do] that by your stated trim length of 2.015" . You are discussing a .308 Win cartridge? Proper headspace of a .308 chamber is 1.630" min. and 1.640" maximum. Headspace of an SAAMI 308 cartridge is 1.634" - .007" tolerance.

So why in the world would you want to shove the shoulders back to 1.615"? That is far below SAAMI minimum chamber dimensions. Which would create a very unsafe headspace, and quite possible contribute to a Ka-Boom from case head separation.

BTW.....cases should be trimmed "AFTER" sizing, not before.

As to your question about your Lee Dies being faulty. That is always a possibility, no matter how slim. Out of spec products do slip by Quality Assurance in all trades. But since you said they worked previously. I do believe you are experiencing "Operator Error", when you are setting up the dies.

Suggest you carefully read and follow the written instructions.

JM2c

this above

1. clean brass
2. size brass
3. trim brass to length
4. put in primer
5. put in powder
6. add bullet and crimp

[tonyjr]

JagerDog
Thanks - I was doing rifle cases in a single stage . When nephews got 308s and 782 , I could no longer use just one tool head . Way to hard to punch out primers by hand .
My books says one die works , but to size inside and out side of case at same time made no sense to me . So I adjust the Lee decapper to size inside case , then another Lee far outside .
Belling , I got used to when doing the 44 and 50 AE - I hand place both the cases and bullets - the cases were sticking / getting stuck in tubes and the bullets were top heavy .