Have Dillon 650 press and I am trying to size .308 with lee full die. I have once fired brass that I originally shot new that I'm trying to resize. I have lee sizing die touching Dillon plate + 1/4 turn and cannot get it to bump neck down to proper size. I checked the brass prior to sizing and it was right on sami spec. When I sized it it grew by 5 thousands, was trying to bump it down 2 thousands below fired dimension. If I put it in my Lee single stage press I can get it to bump it down far enough. Is it possible Dillon plate to large to get lee rifle die to bump it down far enough? Has anyone run into this problem?
Dillon 650 Rifle Sizing Problems
- Thread starter tbessi
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jmorris
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- Sep 30, 2005
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When you say "grew", is that overall length? If so you simply trim off the excess. If you push the shoulder back far enough to shorten the OAL it is too far back.
Best advice is to get a case gauge and size just enough to drop in and trim if needed.
Best advice is to get a case gauge and size just enough to drop in and trim if needed.
MtnCreek
Member
Have you tryed lubing the inside of the case necks? I dought that's the problem, but I would give it a try.
I've had sizing issues with the 650 and have had to remove some material from the bottom of dies. I think my problem may be due to not lowering the die past contact with the shellplate; if I remember correctly, dillon advises against lowering the die after contact w/ the plate.
Also, are you sure you're getting full contact w/ the shell plate? The reason I ask is because Lee dies are typically too short to reach the plate with the die lock ring installed on the upper side of the toolhead. Some people have suggested putting the die lock ring below the toolhead.
I've had sizing issues with the 650 and have had to remove some material from the bottom of dies. I think my problem may be due to not lowering the die past contact with the shellplate; if I remember correctly, dillon advises against lowering the die after contact w/ the plate.
Also, are you sure you're getting full contact w/ the shell plate? The reason I ask is because Lee dies are typically too short to reach the plate with the die lock ring installed on the upper side of the toolhead. Some people have suggested putting the die lock ring below the toolhead.
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DILLONHELP
Member
Simply turn the die down an additional 1/16- 1/8th turn so you get proper headspace. If your expander funnel isn't carbide, I suggest you lube the inside of the neck.
amlevin
Member
MtnCreek-
I have to put my lock rings on the underside of the tool head with all my LEE Dies.
Also have to check to see if the sizing die is actually contacting the shell plate WITH a case in it. I take a flashlight and look for any gap with the ram up and a case in the die. I then take a .001" feeler gauge to see if there is any gap left, even if I can't see light. if there is, a very slight turn on the die takes care of the issue. I also check my sized cases, when setting up with a Hornady Headspace gauge just to make sure.
I have to put my lock rings on the underside of the tool head with all my LEE Dies.
Also have to check to see if the sizing die is actually contacting the shell plate WITH a case in it. I take a flashlight and look for any gap with the ram up and a case in the die. I then take a .001" feeler gauge to see if there is any gap left, even if I can't see light. if there is, a very slight turn on the die takes care of the issue. I also check my sized cases, when setting up with a Hornady Headspace gauge just to make sure.
ScottyPotty
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ive had this problem with lee dies too. I had to either grind down the die.
"Simply turn the die down an additional 1/16- 1/8th turn so you get proper headspace. If your expander funnel isn't carbide, I suggest you lube the inside of the neck. "
I tried turning it down as far as possible (In fact past the point I could even get a proper cam action, just to see if it would improve the resize....It didn't). I also removed the lock ring and put it on the bottom, worked for me as well. I'll try lubing the inside of the neck when I get home tonight...I'll be impressed if that works, didn't think it to be relevent.
I will try the feeler gauge and do a better job inspecting the die to plate contact.(Great suggestion!) I was wondering if the lee dies might need necked down to allow for the step in the Dillon plate.
I tried turning it down as far as possible (In fact past the point I could even get a proper cam action, just to see if it would improve the resize....It didn't). I also removed the lock ring and put it on the bottom, worked for me as well. I'll try lubing the inside of the neck when I get home tonight...I'll be impressed if that works, didn't think it to be relevent.
I will try the feeler gauge and do a better job inspecting the die to plate contact.(Great suggestion!) I was wondering if the lee dies might need necked down to allow for the step in the Dillon plate.
MtnCreek
Member
If the die is large enough dia. to contact the upper step aroung the case, that could be the problem.
The reason the lube (may) help is because the expander ball can strech the case as it's pulled through.
243winxb
Member
Shell Plates-Shoulder Bump
Here is a different way to measure the shell plate, same results. Each station is different. This also changes the COL of a loaded round at each station. Dillon defective shell plate.
Yes, if to thick, screwing in the die more will not help. Measure the plate at each station. Each station could be different. Here is a shell plate that is too thin, allowing the shoulder to be pushed back to much, causing case head separations in 223. A case gage helps if plate is to thin.
Here is a different way to measure the shell plate, same results. Each station is different. This also changes the COL of a loaded round at each station. Dillon defective shell plate.
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"The reason the lube (may) help is because the expander ball can strech the case as it's pulled through."
Agreed but this doesn't explain why the same die works on the lee single stage but not the Dillon. I would expect the lee single stage to have the same stretch problem. Wouldn't you think.
Agreed but this doesn't explain why the same die works on the lee single stage but not the Dillon. I would expect the lee single stage to have the same stretch problem. Wouldn't you think.
Well in my hurry tonight I started with a stuck case. :banghead:
After clearing the stuck case, cleaning die, and doing a proper job lubing the case and die I proceeded to lube the inside neck. I went from 0 to -.5 thousand starting base line to - 4 thousands. I was quite surprised how well it worked, I even had a good cam action on the lever. I wanted to see if I needed to continue lubing neck, so I ran 5 through without lube on neck and they all sized easily and consistently around -.5 thousands. This also helped me confirm all 5 stations worked properly. I remember last night the cases I ran sized hard towards the bottom of the case. I'm wondering if the die was stretching the case on the exterior motion as well as possibly on the interior. I think I'll chalk this one up to improper lubrication of the bottom of the case. I also think I will lube the interior neck of a few cases when I run a batch this weekend. Not quite sure why the difference last night between the lee and Dillon. But I'm satisfied to be on the right track.
Thanks guys for the advice.
After clearing the stuck case, cleaning die, and doing a proper job lubing the case and die I proceeded to lube the inside neck. I went from 0 to -.5 thousand starting base line to - 4 thousands. I was quite surprised how well it worked, I even had a good cam action on the lever. I wanted to see if I needed to continue lubing neck, so I ran 5 through without lube on neck and they all sized easily and consistently around -.5 thousands. This also helped me confirm all 5 stations worked properly. I remember last night the cases I ran sized hard towards the bottom of the case. I'm wondering if the die was stretching the case on the exterior motion as well as possibly on the interior. I think I'll chalk this one up to improper lubrication of the bottom of the case. I also think I will lube the interior neck of a few cases when I run a batch this weekend. Not quite sure why the difference last night between the lee and Dillon. But I'm satisfied to be on the right track.
Thanks guys for the advice.
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