Bumping the shoulder on .223 and the case growing?

[JFrank]

When I experienced Clickers they occured when the base of the case was not being sized enough, then after firing has expanded radialy snug against the chamber identified by a distinct 'click' at the top of the bolt lift during primary extraction.

Hopefully that a decent explaination. Lol

 

[jmorris]

I must have missed some recent magazine article on bumping shoulders, like I missed position sul.

Try this and see how it works for you.

 

[Walkalong]

Most people aren't willing to go through the trouble or are not comfortable with taking their bolt apart to do that. No one I have ever suggested it to has done it. Same for checking where your bullet touches the lands. I do it for finding the lands, but not for sizing cases, although I should have when I had the bolt stripped.

 

[Dale Alan]

Before doing any trimming it is good to know what your chamber actually measures . Without measuring you are just trusting numbers you read written . The Sinclair gauges will tell you what to trim your brass to .

https://www.sinclairintl.com/reload...s/sinclair-chamber-length-gage-prod32925.aspx

 

[Dale Alan]

Squeeze cases in to size them and they get longer. Has nothing to do with shoulder position.

One hundred percent correct .I use a .308 small base for my 6 BR when things get a little tight . It never touches the shoulder, but surely gets longer .

 

[Dale Alan]

I am one of the odd ones , before I shoot any new rifle I strip the bolt to find my lands for each bullet I will be shooting in that barrel . I also use range brass that is on the large size to find where to size my brass at . If no range brass I will fire my brass and check with a stripped bolt after each firing until I know exactly what my chamber is . I enjoy the mechanics and the math , it surely is not for everyone .

I will add that my rifles are easy to work on so it makes things simple, Remington 700s,CZ,Tikka, Ruger,Winchester, etc . .

 

[jmorris]

Most people aren't willing to go through the trouble or are not comfortable with taking their bolt apart to do that. No one I have ever suggested it to has done it.

Like lubing pistol cases before sizing, don’t do it because they never tried it?

I can’t say I own every bolt type but most of them are fairly easy some even easier with tools for the job, that cost less than a bunch of comparator parts.

I have to concede there are likely more gun owners that have never cleaned more than the outside of the bolt though but I wouldn’t have figured them for the sort that would be chasing .002 around a case. That sounds like more of a crank down the die until it touches the shell holder and lock it down type.

 

[JFrank]

One hundred percent correct .I use a .308 small base for my 6 BR when things get a little tight . It never touches the shoulder, but surely gets longer .

If you send 3-3x fired cases to HARRELS precision they will sell you a Fl bushing die that fits your chamber near perfectly eliminating the need for any small base sizing.

 

[Dale Alan]

If you send 3-3x fired cases to HARRELS precision they will sell you a Fl bushing die that fits your chamber near perfectly eliminating the need for any small base sizing.

I was not aware of that , I will contact them, that would be the way to go for my new BR barrel . My old barrel gives me clickers if I do not stay on top of it . Less steps in the process would be great .Thank you for that info .

 

[AJC1]

I was not aware of that , I will contact them, that would be the way to go for my new BR barrel . My old barrel gives me clickers if I do not stay on top of it . Less steps in the process would be great .Thank you for that info .

Widden does the same thing and has every option under the sun available

 

[JFrank]

Widen dies are awesome!

BUT Harrel's only charges about $75.00 and three days TYD

 

[NMexJim]

Before doing any trimming it is good to know what your chamber actually measures . Without measuring you are just trusting numbers you read written . The Sinclair gauges will tell you what to trim your brass to .

https://www.sinclairintl.com/reload...s/sinclair-chamber-length-gage-prod32925.aspx

View attachment 990605

These fit inside a case and are run to the end of the cut for the case mouth/length?

We used to make these out of an aluminum rod turned down to the OD of the case at the head and to fit snug inside the case. For some reason, I never really used this info much other than to let case length in a .22-.250 grow a bit beyond max because I knew I could. The popular thinking had to do something with getting lighter bullets out farther or some such silliness at the time.

Eventually, I parted w/ that rifle and all the brass and bullets went to a friend. No good deed goes unpunished of course. Later, when he was using the cases, he came by my office and asked why I didn’t trim case length and didn’t I know that was dangerous? I explained the thinking and gave him the tool, but he was still shaking his head as he walked off. To this day, he tells people I don’t pay attention to trim! Oh well.

Such was life before you could buy all this stuff.

 

[Dale Alan]

These fit inside a case and are run to the end of the cut for the case mouth/length?

We used to make these out of an aluminum rod turned down to the OD of the case at the head and to fit snug inside the case. For some reason, I never really used this info much other than to let case length in a .22-.250 grow a bit beyond max because I knew I could. The popular thinking had to do something with getting lighter bullets out farther or some such silliness at the time.

Eventually, I parted w/ that rifle and all the brass and bullets went to a friend. No good deed goes unpunished of course. Later, when he was using the cases, he came by my office and asked why I didn’t trim case length and didn’t I know that was dangerous? I explained the thinking and gave him the tool, but he was still shaking his head as he walked off. To this day, he tells people I don’t pay attention to trim! Oh well.

Such was life before you could buy all this stuff.

Yes, you have it right . Simple to use, just have to make sure to trim brass way back to allow for the shoulder of the plug to travel .

That's a great story , funny he left shaking his head and then saying you don't pay attention to trim. Just shows how our minds are all a little different when it comes to reloading.

 

[Walkalong]

The Sinclair gauges

I have one of the Sinclairs and one I made, both work well. I like plenty of leeway for the neck as far as length of the case goes. I'm not trying to make the case as long as I can.

 

[71GTO]

These fit inside a case and are run to the end of the cut for the case mouth/length?

We used to make these out of an aluminum rod turned down to the OD of the case at the head and to fit snug inside the case. For some reason, I never really used this info much other than to let case length in a .22-.250 grow a bit beyond max because I knew I could. The popular thinking had to do something with getting lighter bullets out farther or some such silliness at the time.

Eventually, I parted w/ that rifle and all the brass and bullets went to a friend. No good deed goes unpunished of course. Later, when he was using the cases, he came by my office and asked why I didn’t trim case length and didn’t I know that was dangerous? I explained the thinking and gave him the tool, but he was still shaking his head as he walked off. To this day, he tells people I don’t pay attention to trim! Oh well.

Such was life before you could buy all this stuff.

I actually ordered one of these for my 223 on Tuesday and waiting for it to arrive. Thanks

 

[Dale Alan]

I have one of the Sinclairs and one I made, both work well. I like plenty of leeway for the neck as far as length of the case goes. I'm not trying to make the case as long as I can.

I trim them back 10-20 thou from my actual length if they ever get that long .

 

[Walkalong]

I trim them back 10-20 thou from my actual length if they ever get that long .

A wise man.

 

[71GTO]

I trim them back 10-20 thou from my actual length if they ever get that long .

Dale, When you say "my actual length" are you referring to the length of the chamber in your rifle? Do you trim them every time or only when they reach a certain length? Thanks

 

[Dale Alan]

Dale, When you say "my actual length" are you referring to the length of the chamber in your rifle? Do you trim them every time or only when they reach a certain length? Thanks

Yes, the actual chamber . I only trim when they approach that length , usually within 20 thou . A lot of times I know the brass will never grow that long so I trim only to uniform my brass length . I don't do this to gain neck length . i just feel if the chamber is filled with brass it leaves less room in the neck for crud to build and gas to blow by . I am a clean freak so a clean neck and no carbon ring keep me sane .