My .308 FC brass refuses to size

Status
Not open for further replies.
M

mugsie

Member
Joined
May 8, 2006
Messages
727
I collect range pickups in addition to newly purchased brass. I just collected 50 cases of FC head stamped .308 brass which refuses to size. I read somewhere that this head stamp may be a different alloy?

I tried annealing them this morning - nada - still will not size properly. Every other manufacturer sizes perfectly - this doesn't. I used Imperial Sizing Wax liberally on the case and inside the neck too. I'm getting ready to chuck 'em.

What gives? Any ideas?
 
I had some WWII 30-06 brass that would not size once It would not chamber nor would it fit in a chamber gage. turned out the shoulder needed to be set back a few thousandths. I used an old shellholder and ground off a few thousandths off the top so the die would seat a little lower. Chanbered and gaged perfectly after that. From then on I only neck sized them with no further problems. Don't know if this is your problem, just a thought.
 
The shoulder needs to be pushed back a couple thou but I don't want to grind down a shell holder just for this stuff. I can't figure out what is different about this case than all the other stuff I size fine.

If I have to I'll chuck them out - had bad reports about FC brass anyway, but being the cheapie I am I was trying to get a couple reloads out of 'em.
 
The trick that I have used before is a set of narrow feeler gauges. I will slip one of the feelers that will fit between the shellholder and under the brass base of the cart. and then size as usual. This will pick up the whole brass and allow it to be sized .002 closer to the base with a .002 feeler. This will work with my .223 brass fine. Might also work with 308 if the space between the shellholder and cart. will allow that much lift. If not try a.001 feeler.
 
feelergauge trick

The trick that I have used before is a set of narrow feeler gauges. I will slip one of the feelers that will fit between the shellholder and under the brass base of the cart. and then size as usual. This will pick up the whole brass and allow it to be sized .002 closer to the base with a .002 feeler. This will work with my .223 brass fine. Might also work with 308 if the space between the shellholder and cart. will allow that much lift. If not try a.001 feeler.

this is a trick i have also used on nickel plated federal brass. but i used a piece of coke can under it.

interlock
 
The case refuses to be sized? It would be nice if the there was a way to check progress before lowering the ram.

F. Guffey
 
All I load in 308 is Fed GMM empties, with never a problem. Since you can size other 308 brass ok, I assume you know how to properly size.
What dies are you using? My Lee dies require an aditional 1/8-1/4 turn after shell holder contact with the sizing die. If its not that, I dont know:confused:
 
Great idea using feeler gauges -
I'll give it a try this evening.

Duh:banghead: now why didn't I think of that!
 
Whoopee!

You guys are bloody geniuses! I tried a shim between the shell plate and the case head and it worked perfectly! Now why didn't I think of that?!

Thanks guys.
 
I had that problem with some military brass. Ended up sizing with a regular full length die and then a small base die. Worked OK with the FL die after that.
 
I've found that some brass has work-hardened and has more springback than some brands.

I anneal all newly acquired military brass before I process it. For me, I find that works well.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

J
  • Locked
FC .308 brass
Replies
3
Views
1K
dodge
D
H
  • Locked
No love for the FC brass
2
Replies
32
Views
8K
hdwhit
H
M
  • Locked
Anyone having trouble with FC brass?
2
Replies
26
Views
3K
BruceB
B
E
  • Locked
how many cycles from 30-06 brass?
Replies
12
Views
2K
FROGO207
FROGO207
C
  • Locked
FC 308 Brass: Inconsistent Should Bumping
2
Replies
29
Views
2K
capreppy
C
Back
Top