.223 sizing issues

[kcstott]

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.

you should not be able to turn your die down. you should have set the die up with the ram and shell holder in the up position and the die just touching the shell holder and maybe 1/4 turn further depending on slop in the press.

if you were a full turn off the shell holder you were not sizing the brass completely.

[kcstott]

Op you need a gauge to check brass and consider the use of a small base sizing die.

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.

[BIZERKO]

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!

[BIZERKO]

you should not be able to turn your die down. you should have set the die up with the ram and shell holder in the up position and the die just touching the shell holder and maybe 1/4 turn further depending on slop in the press.

if you were a full turn off the shell holder you were not sizing the brass completely.

Wasn't off the press, it was a full turn down after shell holder contact.
Small base die did the trick

[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!

I'm glad you got it worked out . FWIW there is no reason to be uncomfortable with screwing the die down more until the die and shell holder touch when sizing . Remember if the die and shell holder have not touched at the top of the stroke the only stress being put on the press is the load it takes to size the case . That should never damage or over stress the press .

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 .

I use non-small base RCBS dies and I never had a problem, they fit in the case gauge after sizing. No way they'll fit before sizing.

I would think then your chamber is a tad looser or you are a little hot on the load . On a max SAAMI spec chamber the spring back of the case should allow you to drop the case into a Wilson case gauge . As Pacrat pointed out though , not all holes are the same , maybe the Lyman or other gauges are not cut the same as the Wilson and not designed to be used in the same way .

[sigstroker]

My case gauge is a Wilson. My rifles are all mil type chambers, Colt and Bushmaster. I don't have any "precision" AR's, only combat type.

[kcstott]

Wasn't off the press, it was a full turn down after shell holder contact.
Small base die did the trick

Well two things going on there. Either your press is worn or just crap and flexing to much. Being Lee that's not a surprise, or your dies are out of spec. most likely to much flex in the press.

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