6.5x55 RCBS FL Sizer too small?

[Greebe]

Hey guys. I just got some 6.5x55SM RCBS Dies and the FL Sizer seems a little small.

I bought some Rem brass which measures .475 at the head. This is still a bit small compared to Lapua or Norma brass. When I run the Rem brass into the FL sizer is it so stinking tight that I cannot get the shell holder to touch the bottom of the die. It is stopping on the base of the brass just up from the rim leaving around a 1/16 to an 1/8 of an inch between the die and the shell holder. This is with the old Imperial Die Sizing wax which I have used for wildcat forming with ease.

Are these dies generally this tight? I was going to order some European brass that had the proper head dimensions and don't think that I would even be able to FL size it in this die.

What has been your guys experience with this?

Thanks
Greebe

 

[rcmodel]

Well, SAAMI spec is .480" at the head.

I can't imagine any die being so tight, or case to large it would stop a press from putting a case all the way in the die.

Any chance you have the primer punch/expander screwed down so far it is hitting the bottom of the case?

rc

 

[NuJudge]

Imperial Sizing Die Wax is the best. What kind of diameter is the die leaving the sized diameter at?

CDD

 

[Ol` Joe]

My RCBS die will FL size Norma, Winchester, Remington and PMC brass without any trouble. I`d call RCBS and talk to their tech.

 

[Walkalong]

Any chance you have the primer punch/expander screwed down so far it is hitting the bottom of the case?

Sounds like the first thing to check.

 

[Greebe]

Any chance you have the primer punch/expander screwed down so far it is hitting the bottom of the case?

That was my first thought too. After sizing the first few pieces of brass, I removed the expander assembly from the die and that didn't change anything. I have never had this problem with a FL Sizer before.

What kind of diameter is the die leaving the sized diameter at?

It is leaving it at around .475" some around .474" Not really any change. I just tried to size another piece of new brass and it went in almost all the way. Maybe had a 1/32" between the shell holder and die. That is better, just used more force.

Just FYI, I am sizing these on a Lee Hand Press. Maybe this brass is very hard and just requiring a lot of force, but again it seems like the Rem unfired brass should easily full length size as it is already undersized, right?

Right now I am stuck using the Hand Press as we are moving and my old Rock Chucker is packed. I have used it without any problems on lots calibers. That probably tells you how much of a gun junkie I am. Everything is packed, but I got my little traveling reloading setup with me to reload on the road, and then stop at ranges where I can shoot.

Anyways back to the subject. Any more thoughts? Maybe tomorrow I will try to call RCBS.

Thanks
Greebe

 

[rcmodel]

Just FYI, I am sizing these on a Lee Hand Press.

Well, that right there is your problem.

Maybe you're just weak from all that packing & moving?

I bet the RockChucker will put'm in there!

rc

 

[Greebe]

Yeah it might be me and the little Lee, but it still seems like that if the brass is undersized for the die that it should slip in pretty easy and not need a lot of force.

Does it take a lot of force for you when you run your new Rem or Win 6.5x55 brass through the sizer for the first time?

I mean this is a whole lot more force than I ever have to apply for .308, .356 Win, .45 Colt, .454 C, or other similar sized cartridges that I have used with this press.

Thanks again,
Greebe