Problem squashing 30-06 brass

[Rogerbutthead]

Using Lee resizing dies, loaded several hundred rounds and then it started getting hard to use the die - had to exert more pressure - last three brass casings in picture.



After the second one, I took the die apart and cleaned everything - and the third one came out worse.



Not sure what is happening.

Can anyone tell me what I should do to fix this problem?

I didn't think I changed anything in how the die was set before this problem occurred, but I am less than observant.

[Rogerbutthead]

I decided to reset it - ignoring my belief that I must have broke something.

Screwing it in, until it touched the shell holder - and then two turns.

Tighten the retaining ring - and it seems to work on the next cartridge case.

Still not sure what I had done to cause these collapsed shoulders - ?

[G-forceJunkie]

Check the neck sizing area of the die, make sure there is not some brass smeared on there. Clean it with some copper remover and a brush. If you didn't get enough lube on a case it can transfer brass to the die. Or the surface finish of the die is too rough, those lines on the neck look pretty rough. The die may need to be polished.

[Rogerbutthead]

Will try to polish/brush it.

[baih777]

That's a Lee collet die.
That's not a full length die.
Brass could have been out of spec.
How many times have you shot that brass ?

[Rogerbutthead]

I bought it as once fired brass.

I polished the collar type part and made another 100 rounds - did not notice any striations on them, so I guess your advice on polishing it solved that.

I plan on using these rounds in 1903 Springfields - so wasn't too worried about full length resizing. I am not up on the nomenclature of reloading and will try to be more precise in the future.

I have been breaking a number of parts during reloading, and it is probable that I should just stop using force on the Rock Chuckers lever whenever it gets stubborn, cuz I am destroying stuff.

The next time I notice resistance with the lever, I will stop and clean the die again.

[Rogerbutthead]

Here is a picture of items in my "I f'd up" section of my reloading gear.

Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated.

[baih777]

get yourself a case guage. check all the ammo you have loaded BEFORE you try shooting in your gun.

BIG mistake. any brass you by online should be full length resized first time and trimmed if needed before loading.

that collet die only resizes the neck.

DO NOT use your gun to check the loaded brass.

[baih777]

the one die on the left 7MM ?
Are you using hand me down dies to learn ??

[Hockeytodd03]

get yourself a case guage. check all the ammo you have loaded BEFORE you try shooting in your gun.

BIG mistake. any brass you by online should be full length resized first time and trimmed if needed before loading.

that collet die only resizes the neck.

DO NOT use your gun to check the loaded brass.

I disagree. Yes use your gun to do a plunk test. Remove the bolt and drop the round in the chamber. You should hear it "plunk" as it drops in.

[ar15barrels]

I bought it as once fired brass.

I plan on using these rounds in 1903 Springfields - so wasn't too worried about full length resizing.

You have no control over what gun they were fired in if you didnt fire them in the same rifle last time so you SHOULD be concerned about both full length sizing them and getting the shoulder to an agreeable length for the specific rifle you intend to shoot them in.

[ar15barrels]

I disagree. Yes use your gun to do a plunk test. Remove the bolt and drop the round in the chamber. You should hear it "plunk" as it drops in.

Handguns and rifles are different.
Making a plunk does not mean the shoulder is the right length or that the cases are trimmed short enough not to jam into the chamber termination.

[Rogerbutthead]

Those were all new dies - reloaded a number of different cartridges.

I'll get a case gauge.

How do I pull those rods out of those cases? They are stuck so tight, I can't budge them.

*can't seem to find the rod that still has the neck of a 30-06 shell on it.

[Cheep]

Those were all new dies - reloaded a number of different cartridges.

I'll get a case gauge.

How do I pull those rods out of those cases? They are stuck so tight, I can't budge them.

*can't seem to find the rod that still has the neck of a 30-06 shell on it.

Cut the base off the cases.

[Sailormilan2]

get yourself a case guage. check all the ammo you have loaded BEFORE you try shooting in your gun.

BIG mistake. any brass you by online should be full length resized first time and trimmed if needed before loading.

that collet die only resizes the neck.

Agreed.