Adding brass to the X-Die batch?

[Shrinkmd]

I have some more cases I want to add to my batch of 223 Rem brass. I remember that the instructions said not to change the die or the mandrel once it is set. My question is, if I am still trimming to 1.740" (haven't touched the setting on my trimmer), does it matter if I remove the mandrel to resize some more brass that first time, and then readjust it after I trim as per the instructions?

I was also dreaming about transitioning my setting from the single stage to my progressive anyway, so I would still need to change the settings.

I watched Ghostbusters the other day, and this question about not changing the X-die setting reminds me of them talking about "Don't cross the streams! It would be bad"

So, can I "redo" my settings with some more once fired brass, and as long as I trim correctly and reset the mandrel, all will be well once I start trying to resize my twice fired cases? I figure even if the headspace setting is off by a fraction of whatever, once the cases get fired again, they will be all the way out anyway, and need getting full length sized back in.

Of course, if this can be done, I am getting tempted by purchasing some once-fired brass to add to my collection. Now that my Dillon Swager is operational, crimped brass is no big deal.

 

[mongoose33]

Whether you should or not, I don't know; I just know that I'm doing it.

Take a sharpie marker, or a scribe, or something and mark where the spindle lines up w/ the die, so you can return it there. You have to make sure you have the same number of threads showing each time when you line it up.

That's what I do, at any rate.

 

[Shrinkmd]

Reply from RCBS

Well, I asked them and this is what they said:

The X-die should not be moved once it is set up. The setting should be
maintained throughout the entire life of the cases in the trimmed lot.
It is best to use up the brass you have and start over with new brass in
the progressive. Have a great day!

Thank you,

Technical Services/ap
ATK/RCBS Operation
(800) 533-5000

Looks like I should just use the cases I have for a few more batches, and then work on a bigger batch. Oh well.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

Just buy yerself a conventional sizing die. Size your non-X-die brass with it and then trim. When you load it you don't need to size it again - just prime, charge, seat and crimp. This is what I do. (I also mark it as described below.) After you shoot it process it as X-die brass.

I mark the case head of all my X-die brass with a chisel point Sharpie marker so I can quickly identify it when I sort. I want to be able to tell it apart from other brass I pick up at the range.

 

[Shrinkmd]

I actually have another die from Hornady, so I could do that. Is there any problem that the initial full length resizing is done by a die which isn't set exactly the same as the X-die? Or as long as the case is trimmed back to 1.740" it won't matter? I would think that the exact mandrel setting is influenced by both the headspace as well as the cartridge length, right? Or am I missing something? Or would it be close enough not to matter.

I resized a batch in the X-die, and they grew from 1.740 to 1.741. Not bad for the first resizing after being trimmed back and fired (it is once fired brass)

 

[Shawn Dodson]

After sizing "non-X-Die" cases I just trim cases to 1.740" and load them. No need to run them through the X-die after trimming because they're already sized. They're simply prepped, for case length consistency, to size in the X-Die the next time you reload them.

 

[Canuck-IL]

Is there any problem that the initial full length resizing is done by a die which isn't set exactly the same as the X-die?

No - IIRC the RCBS instructions actually note that if you back out the "x" collar, it is a normal FL die.
/Bryan