Full length sizing and headspacing

[ocabj]

Certainly, that works, and I might do it that way if I were shooting Competition. I prefer to measure fire-formed brass with my Hornady LNL Headspace guage, then adjust the dies to simply set back .002 from that measurement.

This is how I setup my resizing dies for my competition service rifle, and I was fortunate enough that my practice gun had the exact same headspace.

But when I rotated out to a new competition rifle (upper) and my old competition gun became my practice gun, my headspacing were different between the two guns.

Rather than having to readjust the dies for each gun when I wanted to resize brass, and rather than buying another FL die, I bought the competition shellholders just for convenience.

[BLR81]

This is how I setup my resizing dies for my competition service rifle, and I was fortunate enough that my practice gun had the exact same headspace.

But when I rotated out to a new competition rifle (upper) and my old competition gun became my practice gun, my headspacing were different between the two guns.

Rather than having to readjust the dies for each gun when I wanted to resize brass, and rather than buying another FL die, I bought the competition shellholders just for convenience.

That's a very expensive convenience. Too bad no one makes a micrometer sizing gauge like the seating gauge.

[FLIGHT762]

That's a very expensive convenience. Too bad no one makes a micrometer sizing gauge like the seating gauge.

A less expensive convenience to adjust your F/L sizing is using a set of Skip's shims.

http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-equipment/reloading-dies/replacement-parts-upgrades/skip-s-die-shim-kit-7-8-14--prod33197.aspx

They allow you to adjust the amount of shoulder bump. I use them. I have two 308 L/R rifles. One has a snug chamber, near SAAMI minimum. The other rifle's fired brass is about .003" longer in the datum line measurement. I just put in a .004" shim under the die ring and the die F/L sizes about .003" less for the second rifle.

[Bill Steele]

A less expensive convenience to adjust your F/L sizing is using a set of Skip's shims.

http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-equipment/reloading-dies/replacement-parts-upgrades/skip-s-die-shim-kit-7-8-14--prod33197.aspx

They allow you to adjust the amount of shoulder bump. I use them. I have two 308 L/R rifles. One has a snug chamber, near SAAMI minimum. The other rifle's fired brass is about .003" longer in the datum line measurement. I just put in a .004" shim under the die ring and the die F/L sizes about .003" less for the second rifle.

Along the same line, McMaster-Carr sells the same shims in bags of 5 for like $8. You can get a bag of 5 of the .001" (or .002" depending on the range you want to span) and combine them to get the exact adjustment you need.

Same net result.

[FLIGHT762]

Along the same line, McMaster-Carr sells the same shims in bags of 5 for like $8. You can get a bag of 5 of the .001" (or .002" depending on the range you want to span) and combine them to get the exact adjustment you need.

Same net result.

Would they be these?

http://www.mcmaster.com/#round-shims/=n0v4yb

[ocabj]

That's a very expensive convenience. Too bad no one makes a micrometer sizing gauge like the seating gauge.

It's not very expensive. I think the shellholders were only $30 at the time.

As far as micrometer sizing die, that would be cool, but I don't think they can produce one that will hold up to the stress/pressure of sizing the shoulders of brass. The Redding Competition Sizing die only adjust for how much of the next to size.

[Bill Steele]

Would they be these?

http://www.mcmaster.com/#round-shims/=n0v4yb

Yes, Grainger probably sells them as well, but I have always had good luck with MMC.

The stainless ones are pretty tough.

[GeoffLinder]

While the Wilson case gauge works well (I own 3 of the Dillon drop in gauges) I've used them for many years, I eventually bought the Hornady LNL head space gauge set. For very near the price of one of the Wilson/ Dillon style gauges, the Hornady set will measure the shoulder bump on nearly every common cartridge out there. The Wilson/Dillon gauge will only measure the shoulder bump on one cartridge caliber (or a family such as the 308/,243,/260 and 7/08).

The other issue I've had with the Wilson/Dillon drop in gauges is that if you have a slightly bent case rim, the case will not drop into the gauge. You don't have that issue with the Hornady LNL headspace gauge set.

It's just my opinion that your money is better spent on the Hornady gauge set than the Wilson/Dillon style gauges. These gauges measure the distance/length of the case shoulder datum line. I've found the better term for this measurement is shoulder bump rather than using the terms "Headspace" or "Case Comperator". Makes it simpler as to what measurement you're referring to.

I think it is very important to have a drop gauge for every caliber anyway otherwise you are missing the final step of verifying finished outside dimensions of loaded rounds. A gauge like this is not only for setting shoulder bump but it also verifies a round does't have any issues like case head malformities, cases out of round, etc. While a dedicated headspace gauge that will do many calibers is a good thing, you still want to drop check every finished round with a "caliber specific" gauge like this too or you may have function issues with your loaded ammo (read "slightly bent case rims" here LOL).

With all pun intended, I rest my "case"

[fguffey]

[popeye4]

While the Wilson case gauge works well (I own 3 of the Dillon drop in gauges) I've used them for many years, I eventually bought the Hornady LNL head space gauge set. For very near the price of one of the Wilson/ Dillon style gauges, the Hornady set will measure the shoulder bump on nearly every common cartridge out there. The Wilson/Dillon gauge will only measure the shoulder bump on one cartridge caliber (or a family such as the 308/,243,/260 and 7/08).

The other issue I've had with the Wilson/Dillon drop in gauges is that if you have a slightly bent case rim, the case will not drop into the gauge. You don't have that issue with the Hornady LNL headspace gauge set.

It's just my opinion that your money is better spent on the Hornady gauge set than the Wilson/Dillon style gauges. These gauges measure the distance/length of the case shoulder datum line. I've found the better term for this measurement is shoulder bump rather than using the terms "Headspace" or "Case Comperator". Makes it simpler as to what measurement you're referring to.

An issue I've had with the Hornady system is that the inserts are aluminum and have a sharp edge that determines the reference point on the case. Over time, that edge tends to round off a bit and results in "drift" in the measurement. I think the Sinclair system (http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloadin...prod35265.aspx) is superior as the inserts are made of steel and are beveled to match the shoulder angle of the case in question. Much better for repeatability over time. If you want to establish a reference, then one can buy a "go" gauge that establishes the minimum headspace for a particular cartridge. Then you are just determining the difference from a standard when measuring a particular case.

[FLIGHT762]

An issue I've had with the Hornady system is that the inserts are aluminum and have a sharp edge that determines the reference point on the case. Over time, that edge tends to round off a bit and results in "drift" in the measurement. I think the Sinclair system (http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloadin...prod35265.aspx) is superior as the inserts are made of steel and are beveled to match the shoulder angle of the case in question. Much better for repeatability over time. If you want to establish a reference, then one can buy a "go" gauge that establishes the minimum headspace for a particular cartridge. Then you are just determining the difference from a standard when measuring a particular case.

I actually own the Sinclair system also. One thing about the Sinclair is the inserts are much shorter than the Hornady set. If you use the Hornady gauge holder body with the Sinclair inserts, the Sinclair inserts cannot measure the datum line on loaded cartridges like the Hornady can because the Hornady gauge is longer. Sinclair does make a XL body holder to be able to do this. I do have one of the Sinclair XL body holder so it will measure loaded cartridges.

The Hornady .400 gauge insert has a chamfer on the inside edge, it is not a sharp edge. My Hornady .400" insert measures 1.611" on a 308 Winchester 1.630" go gauge, indicating I have a .019" chamfer in it. I haven't found that my Hornady aluminum gauge insert has wandered yet due to wear.


A reloader explains it in this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...v=e0lylBTf7Cw#!
The chamfer edge on his .400 insert measures .016" (16 thousanths, he incorrectly refers to it as 16 hundredths he meant thousanths) My insert measured out to a .019" bevel/chamfer.


After using both the Hornady and the Sinclair bump gauges for a couple of years, my preference goes to the Hornady set. I had some inconsistencies with the Sinclair set. To each his own I guess.


The Hornady and the Sinclair bump gauges work well for measuring shoulder bump, can't go wrong with either one. I find I use both to confirm measurements.

[fguffey]

While the Wilson case gauge works well (I own 3 of the Dillon drop in gauges) I've used them for many years, I eventually bought the Hornady LNL head space gauge set. For very near the price of one of the Wilson/ Dillon style gauges, the Hornady set will measure the shoulder bump on nearly every common cartridge out there. The Wilson/Dillon gauge will only measure the shoulder bump on one cartridge caliber (or a family such as the 308/,243,/260 and 7/08).

"The other issue I've had with the Wilson/Dillon drop in gauges is that if you have a slightly bent case rim, the case will not drop into the gauge. You don't have that issue with the Hornady LNL headspace gauge set"

It's just my opinion that your money is better spent on the Hornady gauge set than the Wilson/Dillon style gauges. These gauges measure the distance/length of the case shoulder datum line. I've found the better term for this measurement is shoulder bump rather than using the terms "Headspace" or "Case Comperator". Makes it simpler as to what measurement you're referring to.

[fguffey]

Then there is the L. E. Wilson case gage, Wilson has, forever, referred to the gage as a case length gage, and, again, I feel compelled to ask reloaders “Have you ever read the instructions provided by Wilson? The information is also available on the Internet.

I still have the instructions, not fair, my instructions suggest using a steel rule as a straight edge, again, rather than make wild guesses with a thumb nail or daylight, I use a feeler gage with a straight edge, I also use a set up table, or something with a flat surface for a substitute (straight edge). I measure before and again after, that is what a reloader does with a comparator.

F. Guffey

[J-cat]

Along the same line, McMaster-Carr sells the same shims in bags of 5 for like $8. You can get a bag of 5 of the .001" (or .002" depending on the range you want to span) and combine them to get the exact adjustment you need.

Same net result.

But you still have to fight frame flex.

With the Redding shellholders you can eliminate frame flex as a variable.

[Bill Steele]

But you still have to fight frame flex.

With the Redding shellholders you can eliminate frame flex as a variable.

Maybe my brain isn't working too good this morning, I am having a hard time visualizing what difference it makes to the frame flex whether you change where the die sits or the thickness of the shellholder?

Time for me to make some coffee?