Redding full-length sizing die not working right?

[xrMike]

I recently upgraded (supposedly) from Lee to Redding dies, just to see if it really matters a whit...

So I go through my process of getting ready to load a new batch of .223. First step after cleaning my brass is to use my caliper with the Hornady comparator tools (caliper mount + bushing) to measure 20 pieces of brass fired in my rifle, to find out what my fired "headspace" is. The average for these 20 pieces is 1.460 inches.

The reason I do this is because I want to set up my sizing die so that it pushes back the shoulder only about .001 to .002 inches from the average fired size. This is supposed to maximize brass life and give you more accurate ammo because it fits/seals better in your chamber.

So I install my new Redding full-length resizing die and adjust it so that it touches the shell holder when ram is in the UP position, then I back it off 2 full turns. I will then resize a piece of brass, measure it with the caliper, and keep dropping the die 1/4 turns until the shoulder is bumped back to ~1.459 inches.

The problem is, this die is NOT bumping the shoulder back at ALL, even when I adjust the die all the way down until it's touching the shell holder again... ???????? WTF? That is not normal, right?

I've tried it with 5 different pieces of brass and it's always the same -- even when the die is touching the shell holder (which means it should be sizing the brass all the freaking way that it possibly can), the shoulder is not getting bumped at all. ????

Any idea what's going on here? I used this method previously with my Lee resizing die and never had any problems... Am I doing something stupid?

I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks.

[damndave]

You may need to turn it down even more. Just keep turning it down until you get the correct measurement. Same way with my 308 Redding dies.

[G-forceJunkie]

What shell holder? They are not all the same, some are thicker than others.

[gunboat]

After sizing the case, does it fit in your chamber?

[Wrangler John]

What you are trying to do isn't easily done with a standard F.L. sizing die. manufacturer's don't want to bump the shoulder back beyond SAAMI headspace dimensions, obviously creating a hazardous condition. There are specialty dies that bump the shoulder while sizing the neck, but these are not designed to violate SAAMI standards either.

http://www.forsterproducts.com/store...23&catid=19938 Click on Bushing Bump Neck Sizing Dies. There are bushings to set the neck tension and the die just bumps back the shoulder. Instruction sheet: http://www.forsterproducts.com/clien...e_DIE-0008.pdf

Redding also sells body dies that bump the shoulder and bushing style F.L. dies to set neck tension. Redding's Competition Shell Holder Set only contains thicker shell holders that reduce the amount of sizing, not allow more sizing to increase headspace. To increase headspace you'd have to reduce the thickness of an existing shell holder by turning or draw filing/honing the thickness, (I do not recommend this as it raises other problems).

If your rifle works on the ammo as sized now, there is no reason to further reduce the headspace of cartridges as cartridges that have a slight crush fit are going to give longest life. Also, don't rely on dial calipers and comparator bushings to give exact measurements, they can easily be off by a few thousandths depending on instrument scale tolerances, machining tolerances and operator technique.

[IronSights]

Redding FL sizing dies can easily adjust headspace and bump shoulders. I do it all the time with my Type S bushing die. AlliedArmory is correct. You need to continue adjusting the die down until the correct headspace is achieved. During the actual resizing process, there is a certain amount of press flex that occurs. By adjusting the die past where it appears to make contact with the shellholder, you are eliminating the flex.

Also, Redding's competition shellholder set is specifically designed to adjust headspace, not to change the amount of sizing that occurs.

[ocabj]

You may need to turn it down even more. Just keep turning it down until you get the correct measurement. Same way with my 308 Redding dies.

I concur with this. Just because the die makes contact with the shell holder, there's still a lot more you can go when turning the die down. Often, you will be camming over on the press's ram to where the die really presses down on the shellholder.

[30Cal]

What are you using for lube? The expander ball can (and will) pull the shoulder back forward.

[problemchild]

Maybe your primer punch rod is hitting the webbing inside the brass and pushing the shell down while trying to size. Back off the primer punch rod a couple turns.

I have a redding die and can bump the neck back almost 1/2 an inch so you are doing something wrong.