Shrinkmd
Member
I recently received my Redding Instant Indicator, and I used it to check the chamber on my old Bushmaster XM15. I used some 6x brass, which read 0.007 to 0.008, so I guess we're within spec, less than 0.010 according to the die instructions. I also tested some once fired brass from my rifle, which only read 0.005 to 0.006, so multiple firings in the chamber definitely showed a difference.
I tried adjusting it to set back the shoulder by about 0.003, based on various posts and advice, although the Redding instructions suggest more, 0.004-0.006 Depending on how much lube I use, however, this can vary from only setting back by 0.002 up to 0.005, depending on how often/much of the Imperial Sizing wax I rub on. There were even a few times where I skipped adding wax, and just used the wax left on my fingers after a few cases. The sizing didn't feel as smooth, but still not sticking any cases in my die. On that one, it only set the shoulder back by 0.001 or maybe 0.002, so I lubed it up some more, to increase the setback to at least 0.003 on those pieces of brass.
When I looked at the case sized to 0.003 smaller, it looked great in my Wilson case gauge, sticking out a little more than I had it set previously, just at the top of the gage.
To try and get my setback most consistent, it looks like I should try to use the same amount of lube every time. I will work on my technique, and possibly adjust the sizing die a bit. I guess it is more important to make sure that every round has been sized enough so that there is no sticking, rather than worrying that a few might be set back 0.005 I guess there is always a range for these things, but I next plan on getting a Giraud trimmer, and since the case length functions off the shoulder, I want to try and get things as consistent as possible.
Any other advice or thoughts on how I'm approaching this?
I tried adjusting it to set back the shoulder by about 0.003, based on various posts and advice, although the Redding instructions suggest more, 0.004-0.006 Depending on how much lube I use, however, this can vary from only setting back by 0.002 up to 0.005, depending on how often/much of the Imperial Sizing wax I rub on. There were even a few times where I skipped adding wax, and just used the wax left on my fingers after a few cases. The sizing didn't feel as smooth, but still not sticking any cases in my die. On that one, it only set the shoulder back by 0.001 or maybe 0.002, so I lubed it up some more, to increase the setback to at least 0.003 on those pieces of brass.
When I looked at the case sized to 0.003 smaller, it looked great in my Wilson case gauge, sticking out a little more than I had it set previously, just at the top of the gage.
To try and get my setback most consistent, it looks like I should try to use the same amount of lube every time. I will work on my technique, and possibly adjust the sizing die a bit. I guess it is more important to make sure that every round has been sized enough so that there is no sticking, rather than worrying that a few might be set back 0.005 I guess there is always a range for these things, but I next plan on getting a Giraud trimmer, and since the case length functions off the shoulder, I want to try and get things as consistent as possible.
Any other advice or thoughts on how I'm approaching this?