Adjusting Redding Carbide Dies

[ASG]

Hi everyone,

I am just starting to reload and I have begun with the .45 ACP. I selected the Redding carbide dies and in the instructions, Redding says that carbide dies are not supposed to full length size the case, only the portion that expands during firing, otherwise a ring will form around the head of the case. Doesn't the whole case expand during the firing process?

According to my Speer manual, Carbide dies should have a gap (.015") between the die and the shellholder when in the uppermost position. I have done that. Now, I would like to know if this is correct for the Redding dies. It seems to me that even when there is a small gap between the shellholder and the die, the case is being full length resized.

Does the term full length sizing refer only to when the shellholder makes contact with the die? By having a gap between the die and the shellholder, is this considered partial sizing?

Also, do any of you only size the upper 1/2 of your .45 ACP cases, leaving the bottom half untouched? I tried this also, and a 1/2 sized case still chambers in all of my pistols. I thought of doing this, because I have heard that it is best not to work your brass too much when it isn't needed.

Thank you for your responses.

ASG

 

[TangoRomeo]

You should be fine as long as your sized cases drop easily into the chamber without binding against the chamber walls and seated bullets are held with good tension. As a rule of thumb, I adjust my carbide sizing die to within about the thickness of a nickel from the shellholder at the top of its stroke. hth-TR

 

[jrc]

The best source I have talked to on Redding Equipment is Bruce Merker at Redding. His experience in reloading and Redding Equipment is very extensive.

Ask him anything, and be prepared for a detailed answer with no BS.

Redding Relaoding - 607-753-3331