Need some Advice for 308

[alfred1222]

Hey guys,
I recently got into loading 308, and I'm having a problem sizing these damn things. I have 1000 pieces of LC 09 308 brass, all clean and shiny, ready to load. I am doing all of my sizing and other prep functions on a Hornady Single Stage press, using a hornady full length sizing and depriming die. I have the die screwed down literally to where i can't even raise the ram to the top of its stroke, and yet, I'm having a problem sizing my brass. I lube with hornady case lube, than feed it in. It sizes the whole thing except for the last 1/6 of an inch of shell. I know this because i can see the line on the brass separating the part that got sized and the part that didn't. I don't know what to do. Did i get a junk die, and need to have it replaced? Should i just keep pushing it down an 1/8th of a turn, until the shell holder finally pushed the brass all the way in? (Im thinking of doing this because earlier today, i went down a 1/4 turn, and it sized about half of the portion that was otherwise untouched. Or should i return it to hornady and have them fix the thing? i don't want to send it back because it will take them a bit of time to get it back to me, and i really don't want to wait to start working up loads. Any advice guys?

[problemchild]

Your deprime rod is hitting inside and keeping the die/brass from feeding all the way. Back off your deprime rod till it just punches out the primer.

Also if you do not have a headspace gauge you are NOT doing it right. The die is adjusted until you are .001-.003 more headspace than the chamber on your gun (or the average of 10 fired brass from your gun).

[alfred1222]

Your deprime rod is hitting inside and keeping the die/brass from feeding all the way. Back off your deprime rod till it just punches out the primer.

Also if you do not have a headspace gauge you are NOT doing it right. The die is adjusted until you are .001-.003 more headspace than the chamber on your gun (or the average of 10 fired brass from your gun).

Jesus Christ. That's it, my depriming rod is quite a bit farther down that the 3/16 length recommended. I feel stupid

[Sideline Shooter]

Ah yes, another reloader saved! I love this place!

[exxpertt]

He right on the gauge. Oversizing brass is bad.

[tiller]

Stop what your doing and get a case gauge before doing anything else...

[J-cat]

Don't need no gauge. Use the chamber as your gauge.

[damndave]

Glad you got it figured it out.

Go, No go gauges are always good to have around.

To save the life of the brass, I use a RCBS Precision Mic. I bump the shoulders back about 0.002 and works perfectly. I have cheapo FC brass that have gone through 8-10 loadings.

[ExtremeX]

Good call problemchild.

Also + 1 on a headspace guage.

Hornady headspace comparator kit is affordable and a great tool. Get one.

[alfred1222]

Didn't work guys... I'm legit depressed now

[mark501w]

I set the die to kiss the shell holder all the way through the stroke then tighten it a small amount to get a light cam over. Build a dummy case to see if it fits your gun.

[Hoop]

Would be nice if you posted pics of the brass and how you have the press set up.

I put the arm all the way up and then screw the die down until it just 'bumps' it if that makes sense.

Also your LC brass is probably machine gun fired so it could be blown WAY out in size.

Example, .473 is the max size of the case head and when sized on a small base die it should be .469 or so. What size is your un-resized brass and is the body BULGED out? If so you'll have to do some grunting and try diferent lubes to get it sized.

[atdski07]

Would be nice if you posted pics of the brass and how you have the press set up.

I put the arm all the way up and then screw the die down until it just 'bumps' it if that makes sense.

Also your LC brass is probably machine gun fired so it could be blown WAY out in size.

Example, .473 is the max size of the case head and when sized on a small base die it should be .469 or so. What size is your un-resized brass and is the body BULGED out? If so you'll have to do some grunting and try diferent lubes to get it sized.

this^^^

I have the die screwed down literally to where i can't even raise the ram to the top of its stroke, Any advice guys?

You have yours set up wrong


Sent from the twilight zone

[mark501w]

Gauges,gauges you don't need no stinking gauges! Set your dies build a dummy round.

[DSMeyer]

Gauges,gauges you don't need no stinking gauges! Set your dies build a dummy round.

True to a point. You can build a dummy round and set your dies to that ONE particular rifle. But if your reloading for multiple rifles at the same time you need the gauges and set them to saami specs, its just easier and safer.
Now that being said I have multple sets of dies, each for a specific rifle. All of my auto loaders are set to saami specs. my bolt guns are die/chamber specific. IT is a PITA at times to dig them out make sure it is the die set for that rifle, but reloading is a science and takes time and patience so your results are consistant and safe.