Scratched Projectile? .223 Reloads

[m98]

If u think its the col, then use a black sharpy and color the bullet completely. Then hand chamber the round follow by gently letting the bolt lock up the case. Now if its hard to eject, use the bump stock while pullung charge handle method. U should see rifling marks on bullet if seated too deep otherwise its ur case sizing step u need to look at....most likely u gotta bump the case to get just enuff sizing.

[3lsmc7]

Thanks for the help guys... So I'll start messing with my sizing die and checking it against the case gauge. As I'm understanding it, the case rim (where the extractor grabs onto) should sit between the bottom and top step of the case gauge? At least that is how I'm interpreting it from this:

http://www.dillonhelp.com/xl650english2/pg29.htm

[NiteQwill]

If you are having hard extraction issues you need to adjust your sizing die down towards the shell plate. You should be able to cam your press over when raising the shell plate.

This is what I do (I use both Dillon and Lee Dies on a 550):

With shell plate up
Adjust die until it touches plate
Slightly lower shell plate
I then adjust ONE FULL turn more +/- 1/8
Size brass, trim/whatever, case gage

[3lsmc7]

If you are having hard extraction issues you need to adjust your sizing die down towards the shell plate. You should be able to cam your press over when raising the shell plate.

This is what I do (I use both Dillon and Lee Dies on a 550):

With shell plate up
Adjust die until it touches plate
Slightly lower shell plate
I then adjust ONE FULL turn more +/- 1/8
Size brass, trim/whatever, case gage

Yup, that is what I just did a couple of hours ago but unfortunately the zip spindle (Hornady Die) broke and the case got stuck in the sizing die
So right now I am pretty much stuck until I can get a new zip spindle w/ expander, which will probably take awhile since I'm pretty sure Hornady and whoever else has them probably don't have them or BO.

I pretty much did what you listed but I only went 1/4 turn past shellplate as I wanted to verify each sizing attempt in the case gauge.

[FLIGHT762]

As I'm understanding it, the case rim (where the extractor grabs onto) should sit between the bottom and top step of the case gauge? At least that is how I'm interpreting it from this:

http://www.dillonhelp.com/xl650english2/pg29.htm

For my autoloaders, I adjust the die to size the case so the rim sits even with the bottom of "A" (in the Dillon diagram), not between the top and the bottom, nor below (too much sizing). Between the top and the bottom may work for a bolt gun, but for an autoloader, you need to size enough (bump the shoulder back) not to get a stuck case. Not sizing enough can cause a slam fire.

Sometimes, it only takes 1/12th or less of a turn of the die to do this.

If your zip spindle broke, it may have been set too far down into the die. The decapping pin shouldn't protrude out from your die farther than the thickness of two pennies or so. Having the decapping pin too far down causes the bottom of the spindle to hit the web of the case and will cause the die to bottom out and not resize enough.

Call Hornady, they'll get another part out to you. Get a stuck case remover kit and start over.

[3lsmc7]

While waiting on getting a replacement zip spindle for the Hornady sizing die and due to my wanting to get this figured out, I ended getting a set of Dillon dies (Hornady dies will be backups) and the Hornady OAL gauge. Went ahead and set up the sizing die according to Dillon directions and the info you guys have given me and made up a couple of dummy rounds, found they are now smooth as butter ejecting during hand cycling.

Thanks for all the very informative help and advice!! Especially FLIGHT762...

[jonzer77]

Nice, glad you got it working.

[FLIGHT762]

Thanks for all the very informative help and advice!! Especially FLIGHT762...

I'm pleased you figured it out. 90% of difficult chambering issues is not bumping back the shoulder enough during resizing. The die manufacturers give poor instructions on how to set your resizer.

The other 10% of issues is either the decapping pin set too far down and bottoming out, not letting the die size all the way down. The other issue is having the seating die set too far down and crimping/crushing the neck/shoulder when seating the bullets, causing the ammo not to chamber, on occasion, having the bullet seated too far out and shoving the ogive into the lands. A lot of reloaders need to read reference materials before getting started.

Most AR platform autoloaders will not jam the bullets into the lands when seated to max. magazine lengths.

At least you had a drop in case gauge to check your shoulder bumping/sizing measurements. That .005" step in the case gauge shows the actual amount of resizing by running your finger across the step. It does work.

I've gone to using a Sinclair or Hornady headspace/bump gauge with a set of digital calipers. I find it easier to see the actual numbers you are sizing. I reload about 10 different rifle calibers in about 30 various rifles. The gauges make my life much easier.