Resizing: problem? and questions

[sofbak]

I got my Lee Classic Turret put together and mounted, and started doing some de-capping and resizing. I have two questions but first some numbers so bear with me.

Started out resizing some .45 lc and when I finished 50 cases, I whipped out the calipers and did some dimensional comparisons:

The cartridge drawing in the Lee Manuaul says diameter is = .480"
New cartridges (Fed American eagle)........... diameter is = .472"
My resized cases (once fired Fed Amer eagle) diameter is = .474"

So new ammo and once fired cases are both .006" to .008" under. Is that OK? I guess the drawing in the manual is a maximum dimension(?)

Next, I ran a .45 acp case throught the long colt de-capping/resizing die and compared those dimensions (new, resized, and drawing) and got identical results- .006" to .008" undersized WRT to the drawing.

So, last question; Is it ok to run the 45 acp throught the long colt de-capper/resizer? They will get run again through an acp die when I get the dies and primers, but just wondering if this is ok for de-capping them in the long colt die.


Sorry if I'm asking dumb questions, but I'm just getting into this and the last thing I want to do is make a hand-held bomb.

TIA

[huckberry668]

OK and ok. Sizing dies will size brass to varying dimensions usually within a few thousandths of an inch. No worries. It becomes a hand-held bomb when you have a squib load and/or over/double charge the gun powder.

[gorblimey]

This looks very thorough re case dimensions:

http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2010/03/reloading-measuring-case.html

Just keep in mind that when reloading these short squat pistol calibers, unlike with bottleneck rifle cases, small variations in seating depth create relatively large variations in case volume.

[Turbinator]

Consider picking up some case gauges, they'll help you figure out if your sizing is good to go or not. I had some sizing problems years ago and bought some case gauges to help diagnose. Turns out some of my brass was getting too old and was starting to show bulges. I throw those out nowadays when they fail the case gauge test.

My process is - resize, then check each case individually in the gauge. If they don't seat in the gauge well, out they go.

How this relates to you - if your resized brass at .474" fits well into the case gauge.. then I wouldn't worry about .474" vs .480" in your manual.

Turby

[sofbak]

Consider picking up some case gauges, they'll help you figure out if your sizing is good to go or not.

How this relates to you - if your resized brass at .474" fits well into the case gauge.. then I wouldn't worry about .474" vs .480" in your manual.

Turby

Well, the "new" Ruger vaquero I'm loading for came with two convenient case gauges-two removable cylinders. It's a dual caliber model with .45 acp and .45 long colt cylinders, so I figured I'd use these as case gauges. WRT OAL length, I'll always use calipers since this length varies a bit from one load combination to the next.


again, thanx to all for the guidance and information.