30-06 reloading help

[ADAME2M]

I have been reloading .223 for a few months now. I also have a 30-06 bolt action rifle that I want to reload for too. I have 15 cases that I fired previously, two weeks ago I resize them following RCBS instructions, ram all the way up untill die touches the shell holder then an extra 1/8 to 1/4 turn extra. Afew days ago a bought a headspace gauge. Aftet checking all 15 cases I'm about .030 thousan low. My question is it ok if I load them with a reduce load with H4895 and fire formed them or is it too risky?

[justMike]

Well, .30-06 brass isn't difficult to come by, so in my opinion, I think you should load them on the mild side and accept that you may have shortened their reload count potential and live with it.
Watch the cases for the telltale stretch ring and in the meantime, look to acquire more -06 brass and carry on. With a mild load I doubt you are courting danger to yourself or the firearm, but I
am not an expert by any means. Probably others will chime in with more experienced viewpoints on this.

[SandDiegoDuner]

What do you mean by headspace gauge? Are talking about a case gauge: https://www.brownells.com/reloading/...prod80617.aspx

If so, how much did you setback the shoulder compared to a once fired brass from your rifle?

[ADAME2M]

I will be using H4895 powder and according to their website data I can start a low recoil load with like 35 gn. I really don't mind only been able to reload them 2 or 3 times.

[ADAME2M]

I am using a L. E. Wilson case gauge and after I measure on the top they are between .025-.030 below. I guess that is how much I set the shoulder back after I full resize the cases

[pacmule]

[baih777]

Since you bought the guage after you resized.
You didn't measure the case before resizing.
Could they have already been short ?

See if the empty case will chamber in your rifle.
If so. Load some up. Shoot and measure.
If the load is too light you won't see a difference.

[fguffey]

I am using a L. E. Wilson case gauge and after I measure on the top they are between .025-.030 below. I guess that is how much I set the shoulder back after I full resize the cases

All these guys can help you because they have figured a way to move the shoulder back.

Since you bought the guage after you resized.
You didn't measure the case before resizing.
Could they have already been short ?

And then there is that thing about everyone knowing what the other is talking about. If they knew what they were doing they would understand they do not need a case gage. There is nothing wrong with owning a Wilson case gage, there is something wrong with owning one and not knowing how to use it.

F. Guffey

[Divernhunter]

Load them to whatever is your desired load and shoot them.
Then back off the sizing die and only size so that the case chambers snugly and the neck is sized.

[LynnJr]

All these guys can help you because they have figured a way to move the shoulder back.



And then there is that thing about everyone knowing what the other is talking about. If they knew what they were doing they would understand they do not need a case gage. There is nothing wrong with owning a Wilson case gage, there is something wrong with owning one and not knowing how to use it.

F. Guffey

If you can't answer the question asked why bother posting?

I read on here that there is only one poster in the world that makes datums and that you can't move a shoulder back in a full length die.
If that is true you didn't move the shoulder back and you can't be 0.030 short.
Send the Wilson gage back and tell them F Guffey is the only one in the world who can make datums and the gage is useless because shoulders can't be moved.
Post there response here.

[tsmithson]

Am I sensing some latent anger?

[JackEllis]

Load them to whatever is your desired load and shoot them.
Then back off the sizing die and only size so that the case chambers snugly and the neck is sized.

Exactly.

I full-length size all of my cases in all of the calibers I reload but if you choose to only size the neck after shooting, test a few to make sure they chamber before you load them.

[ADAME2M]

Thanks to all that replied. I got some suggestions that took my fear that I had messed up.