res45
Member
B&D reloading bench with plans
http://accurateshooter.wordpress.com/2008/04/26/portable-bd-workmate-reloading-bench/
http://accurateshooter.wordpress.com/2008/04/26/portable-bd-workmate-reloading-bench/
Giving the Stank Eye to Lee Right Now!!!
- Thread starter spec26
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I don't doubt that I had something to do with the case in the original pics by sizing it first then putting the decapper back in...Which I why I ordered new parts without complaining to lee...
This is how the second case, yesterdays rant came out...
The decapper was adjusted to be low in the die this time...like I said lubed same way I lube 223. As far as rushing is conerned...This was the first case I was using to make sure I set the dies up both times...this was not part of a large batch...There really wasnt much to even rush into...Besides cleaning and lubing the dies and screwing it into the press...This new case fits in my case gauge just fine but you can see a gap all the around at the top where its not expanded enough....
As far as the bench it concerned, I will most likely use the bench in the garage to size these .308 cases...The workmate was bought to allow me to do it indoors and avoid florida summer heat in the garage cranking out large batches of pistol rounds...I don't feel that sweat and handling powder and primers mix too well..
I don't doubt that I had something to do with the case in the original pics by sizing it first then putting the decapper back in...Which I why I ordered new parts without complaining to lee...
This is how the second case, yesterdays rant came out...
The decapper was adjusted to be low in the die this time...like I said lubed same way I lube 223. As far as rushing is conerned...This was the first case I was using to make sure I set the dies up both times...this was not part of a large batch...There really wasnt much to even rush into...Besides cleaning and lubing the dies and screwing it into the press...This new case fits in my case gauge just fine but you can see a gap all the around at the top where its not expanded enough....
As far as the bench it concerned, I will most likely use the bench in the garage to size these .308 cases...The workmate was bought to allow me to do it indoors and avoid florida summer heat in the garage cranking out large batches of pistol rounds...I don't feel that sweat and handling powder and primers mix too well..
bullseye308
Member
That brass was fired by a CETME, G3, H&K91 or PTR91 and has flute marks on the neck. If you fired that get your bolt gap checked. Those cases fired in that type of rifle will be harder to re-size, I know because I load for my CETME and had the same problem when my bolt gap was low and it marked up my brass. Get the gap up higher in the spec range and your brass will be easier to work.
When I get a case stuck like that I use a tubing cutter and cut the case in half. The pin comes out with no problem that way. Maybe more/better lube might help, maybe not.
When I get a case stuck like that I use a tubing cutter and cut the case in half. The pin comes out with no problem that way. Maybe more/better lube might help, maybe not.
243winxb
Member
Fluted chamber, no wonder, could not see that in the other photos.
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Maybe nobody mentioned this yet. Sizing .223 Rem is nothing like sizing large caliber brass. It's possible to get a 223 case stuck, but it never happens to me and I never lube the neck. I mean that I NEVER lube the neck. A light spray of lube on the outside of the body and the brass just pops in and out of the die without trouble. Since I use mine in 5.56mm semiauto chambers, I never even trim it. Size, prime, load and shoot.
Why is it easier to size a 223 neck compared to 30 caliber? The brass is the same thickness (usually 11 thousands plus or minus .0005) but the smaller diameter neck doesn't spring back very much. Since the larger diameter neck tends to spring back after the ball is withdrawn, it is necessary to use a larger ball to do the same job, which requires more mechanical force and friction is likely to be much higher. So lubrication is critical on larger calibers, but not so critical on 223.
I find 7mm, 270, 30 and 338 caliber brass requires specific care in every step. Trimming, deburring and lubrication are the norm. I use dry lubes inside the case neck. Either mica or graphite work beautifully. I believe lack of lubrication sticks your expander ball. It has happened to me before, but always related to my lack of care.
Do you have any good books on rifle reloading? Have you been able to read explanations of the procedure in depth? In my humble opinion, it's not adequate to read internet forums or the instructions accompanying a press or dies. A good published how-to manual is invaluable.
Why is it easier to size a 223 neck compared to 30 caliber? The brass is the same thickness (usually 11 thousands plus or minus .0005) but the smaller diameter neck doesn't spring back very much. Since the larger diameter neck tends to spring back after the ball is withdrawn, it is necessary to use a larger ball to do the same job, which requires more mechanical force and friction is likely to be much higher. So lubrication is critical on larger calibers, but not so critical on 223.
I find 7mm, 270, 30 and 338 caliber brass requires specific care in every step. Trimming, deburring and lubrication are the norm. I use dry lubes inside the case neck. Either mica or graphite work beautifully. I believe lack of lubrication sticks your expander ball. It has happened to me before, but always related to my lack of care.
Do you have any good books on rifle reloading? Have you been able to read explanations of the procedure in depth? In my humble opinion, it's not adequate to read internet forums or the instructions accompanying a press or dies. A good published how-to manual is invaluable.
bullseye308
Member
Spec26, what rifle was it fired out of?
cliffy
member
PICTURE shows a crushed NECK
Sumptons outta adjustment. Set the case length adjustment to size the neck properly first. Then re-set the decapping pin to suit needs. Case neck looks crushed in your picture. Lee Dies nor any other brand dies come pre-adjusted for one's individual press. cliffy
Sumptons outta adjustment. Set the case length adjustment to size the neck properly first. Then re-set the decapping pin to suit needs. Case neck looks crushed in your picture. Lee Dies nor any other brand dies come pre-adjusted for one's individual press. cliffy
Don't know what rifle it was shot out of...Bought the brass from an online once fired store..Very few of the brass has the flute marks...Which is why I was going to set the press up using that brass and not the others that didn't have the marks...as to not mess up the good stuff...Out of the 500 I got maybe 20 of them have the flute marks...
Once this gets worked out they will all be shot out of a Savage 10FP exclusively...
Once this gets worked out they will all be shot out of a Savage 10FP exclusively...
bullseye308
Member
On the flute marked brass, you may find it necessary to ream the inside of the neck. I have some nrass samples that I keep to show others what not to use, but they have ridges you can feel and you will not get them resized short of a hydraulic press. 
243winxb
Member
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=4921181#post4921181 RCBS reply about reloading brass fired in a Fluted Chamer.
Woohoo!!!
Well the RCBS sizing die showed up today...After dinner I set it up, lubed up about 100 cases and went to town...No problems with my standard process used on 223. Sized up the cases just fine...However, the guy who sold me this brass as once fired neglected to tell me that 1 in 4 are fluted so bad they cant even be sized...Im sure with some serious effort I could do it. But its not worth it...At least they went in farther then the lee die, almost all the way up, but NEVER got complete stuck and came out with minimal extra effort versus non fluted cases...
This RCBS die is completely POLISHED on the inside where the lee was a dull finish. The decapper looks much better machining wise then the lee does as well. Hardly any effort was needed to get these things sized and all fit my case gage perfectly...fits the chamber of my savage great. I could "feel" the case being sized as I do when I load other rounds.
Im in no way bashing lee compared to RCBS...This is my first RCBS die and I have 4 other sets of lee dies which work flawlessly...Im sure I am to blame for some of this (not enough lube) but there is definately something off with the lee die..Like I said I use the same process with both sets of rifle dies and 223 and 308 sized the same day with the lee dies resulted in problems with 308 and with the RCBS die no problems...
Well the RCBS sizing die showed up today...After dinner I set it up, lubed up about 100 cases and went to town...No problems with my standard process used on 223. Sized up the cases just fine...However, the guy who sold me this brass as once fired neglected to tell me that 1 in 4 are fluted so bad they cant even be sized...Im sure with some serious effort I could do it. But its not worth it...At least they went in farther then the lee die, almost all the way up, but NEVER got complete stuck and came out with minimal extra effort versus non fluted cases...
This RCBS die is completely POLISHED on the inside where the lee was a dull finish. The decapper looks much better machining wise then the lee does as well. Hardly any effort was needed to get these things sized and all fit my case gage perfectly...fits the chamber of my savage great. I could "feel" the case being sized as I do when I load other rounds.
Im in no way bashing lee compared to RCBS...This is my first RCBS die and I have 4 other sets of lee dies which work flawlessly...Im sure I am to blame for some of this (not enough lube) but there is definately something off with the lee die..Like I said I use the same process with both sets of rifle dies and 223 and 308 sized the same day with the lee dies resulted in problems with 308 and with the RCBS die no problems...
243winxb
Member
Glad to hear you fixed your problem. I ask Redding about reloading fluted brass, they didnt seem to think there is any problems using it. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=393353
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