Full length case sizing die for pistol brass
- Thread starter jski
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I’d like to resize the full length of the case.
I’m using Starline brass that I resized and the last 1/4” to 1/2” in getting tight in the chamber.
tightgroup tiger
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The limitation with sizing depth isn't the die, it's the shell plate lip over the rim of the case. Something has to pull it back out.
If you push it in the entire way with the primer punch stem removed, you'd have to beat it back out with a punch through the primer punch stem hole and destroy the case doing it.
If you push it in the entire way with the primer punch stem removed, you'd have to beat it back out with a punch through the primer punch stem hole and destroy the case doing it.
tightgroup tiger
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Is the bottom of your sizing die touching the shell plate when the ram is up?
tightgroup tiger
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My dual ring resizer is recessed about 1/32" at the bottom ring. Thats about what they all are.
Add the thickness of the top lip of the shell plate to that.
Add the thickness of the top lip of the shell plate to that.
Different dies are machined to resize slightly different depth although none that I know of size all the way down to the rim.
In the 1980's, I had a carbide sizing die from one manufacturer that would leave a ring around the bottom of the 357 Magnum case which would prevent the case from chambering. A different sizing die from a different manufacturer would size down the case just a bit farther and the cases would chamber.
The ammunition was full power that I used for IHMSA Silhouette. I did not have any troubles with 38 Special ammunition.
A data point of one, but that is my experience.
In the 1980's, I had a carbide sizing die from one manufacturer that would leave a ring around the bottom of the 357 Magnum case which would prevent the case from chambering. A different sizing die from a different manufacturer would size down the case just a bit farther and the cases would chamber.
The ammunition was full power that I used for IHMSA Silhouette. I did not have any troubles with 38 Special ammunition.
A data point of one, but that is my experience.
mcb
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Roll sizer is the only sizer that is going to size all the way to the rim, but they are pricy.
dcarr
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I have the redding 357 mag dual tic 8s sizer . Theory is to avoid overworking the brass on majority of shell, I can see on my shells the tighter sizing in the bullet retention area after using sizer. Have loaded and fired couple hundred 357 with it, no problems, just too soon to know about shell life . Course I'm just plinking.
All .38/357sizers could be considered full length, all can be screwed down part way, or all the way. What won't get sized is what is covered by the shell holder or plate, and then how much radius there is on the die. Billions of rounds have been loaded with the sizer part or all the way down with no issues, which is why I wondered what issue you are having.
Riomouse911
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I will occasionally get a little shiny “ring” above the case head with .38 and .357 brass and my Lee dies. I guess this is because the die and shell holder touch before the sizing ring can run down the full length of the brass.
Other than a bit of a cosmetic shiny spot, it hasn’t been a chambering issue for me. OP, is this the same thing you’re seeing with your brass?
I wonder if a different brand of dies will help?
Good luck finding a solution
.
Stay safe.
Other than a bit of a cosmetic shiny spot, it hasn’t been a chambering issue for me. OP, is this the same thing you’re seeing with your brass?
I wonder if a different brand of dies will help?
Good luck finding a solution
.Stay safe.
Exactly!I will occasionally get a little shiny “ring” above the case head with .38 and .357 brass and my Lee dies. I guess this is because the die and shell holder touch before the sizing ring can run down the full length of the brass.
Other than a bit of a cosmetic shiny spot, it hasn’t been a chambering issue for me. OP, is this the same thing you’re seeing with your brass?
View attachment 949592
I wonder if a different brand of dies will help?
Good luck finding a solution
Stay safe.
Look at the bottom of the sizing dies and the radius or chamfer of the sizing ring as the case enters the die. The actual sizing of the case will start at a different depth of the die depending in the size of the radius or chamfer.
The die may not address the ring shown by Riomouse911 as it is above the solid part of the head of the case depending on the size of this chamfer or radius.
The die may not address the ring shown by Riomouse911 as it is above the solid part of the head of the case depending on the size of this chamfer or radius.
There must be a (carbide) sizing die that goes to the base of the case, not including rim of course.
Jim Watson
Member
Must?
The shellholder is .125" deep.
The die has to have some entry radius, I have seen sharp edged dies scraping up a burr.
I have a picture of an old rig that drove .45 Colt all the way into a steel die and pushed it back out with press leverage.
The shellholder is .125" deep.
The die has to have some entry radius, I have seen sharp edged dies scraping up a burr.
I have a picture of an old rig that drove .45 Colt all the way into a steel die and pushed it back out with press leverage.
Yep.
edwardware
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There are. . . all of them. You're looking for a die solution to a chamber problem. No conventional die sizes all the way down onto the thickening transition from body to head, because the shell holder and die entry radius preclude that. Larry Willis' belted magnum collet sizer solves a similar problem (bypassing the entry radius limit), at great expense.
In your case, I suspect you have either an undersized chamber, or brass from a higher pressure load in an oversize chamber. You can try grinding the entry radius off a steel sizing die; it might work, but I suspect you'll likely learn why dies are designed with an entry radius.
I can't be of much help except to say I have reloaded 357 Magnums since 1973 and never had a problem with "full length sizing". I started with Lee carbide dies, found a good deal on some RCBS dies, stumbled on a box of reloading stuff and got a Hornady die set. Perhaps there is a few thousandths of case near the rim that may not be sized because of the radius of the sizing die mouth, but there has never been a problem with my 357s (or any other revolver brass new, fired by me, or purchased "once fired"). I would suspect die adjustment as the problem. Also inspect the brass as 1/4" of the case not chambering is more than a die problem...
buck460XVR
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^^^Kinda my thinking. If the sizing die has been adjusted properly to start with.
buck460XVR
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Never in my life have I heard of anyone upgrading from Lyman dies to Lee.
Just sayin'........
sequins
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You need a push through sizer to do what you describe, but those only work on cases where the rim is equal or lesser in diameter to the case.
For example Redding makes a bulge buster die for semiautomatic brass, 40/10 specifically, and it pushes the entire case into the die. A rimmed case couldn't do this.
For example Redding makes a bulge buster die for semiautomatic brass, 40/10 specifically, and it pushes the entire case into the die. A rimmed case couldn't do this.
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